Mrcontractor, our area at max is 850sqft only because on the 2nd storey, we retained the parquet flooring.

One more question - does skirting cost a lot? It is alright to remove skirting if it helps to bring down the cost?

To build hollow brick wall for 1st and 2nd storey and make good - $1800. Does this sound OK?

Thanks again for your help and advices despite all the prep for CNY!

Edited February 7, 201313 yr by kooky

hi Mr Contractor,

when replying to Kooky quotation, you said 1,000sqf tiling assuming tiles cost of 3 psf should cost around $6,500.

Is this how we can break down the amount :

Material=$3 X 1,000sqf =$3,000

Labour = $2 X 1,000sqf =$2,000

Additional ID/Main con markup = $1.50 X 1,000sqf =$1,500

Hi, to give you a more clearer detailed breakdown:

Tiles: $3psf x1000sqft = $3000

Labour 1.50 x1000sqft = $1500

Cement, materials etc : 0.50x1000sqft = $500 (more than enough but calculating the skirting cost it should be just nice)

$1.50psf markup : 1.50x1000sqft = $1500

The markup is up to your comfort level. however, do take note that the tiles already have rebate in there. so if say would like to save but not short changed the contractor. you can choose to source tiles yourself and get a $0.60 psf discount which add up to about $600

Mrcontractor, our area at max is 850sqft only because on the 2nd storey, we retained the parquet flooring.

One more question - does skirting cost a lot? It is alright to remove skirting if it helps to bring down the cost?

To build hollow brick wall for 1st and 2nd storey and make good - $1800. Does this sound OK?

Thanks again for your help and advices despite all the prep for CNY!

Hi Kooky,

if say 850sqft then the cost should be much more lesser, based on the calculation posted above, you can try to calculate it out. to make it simpler, add all the cost together : $3+$1.50+ $0.50 = $5 and if your flooring is 850sqft it should be $4250. the markup depending on your comfort level. i would say at least a 50cents psf mark up for the contractor/ID. but it's up to both of your negotiation as well.

Do take note that contractors/ID might reduce prices during low peak season and raise it when they have many jobs on hand. but of course there are too many kinds of business making, so depending on their pricing strategy as well.

feel free to clarify if you have any questions=) Have a great CNY ahead!

Thanks, Mr Contractor once again! You have got mail :-)

Have a splendid time during this CNY!

新的一年里，愿我的朋友：钱多钱少常有就好；人俊人丑顺眼就要；人老人少健康就好；家穷家富和气就好；一切烦恼理解就好；人的一生平安就好！

Edited February 9, 201313 yr by kooky

Hi Mr Contractor, thanks for all the sharing! Wishing you a Happy Chinese New Year!!

Currently i have a problem, i wanted to seal up one of the common room door (beside master room) to become walk in wardrobe.

I understand that once the metal door frame removed, some tiles on the floor and parquet in the room will need to redo.

However my ID told me that the metal door frame cannot be removed became it is planted in the floor. He suggested partition together

with the metal frame instead. Because of his suggestion, im now worried and troubled that the walk way will have uneven wall due to

the extra partition on the door frame and i even suggested to my ID how about to partition the whole walk way instead to look even?

He said can but he pointed to me that will need to replace the whole walk way skirting

I believed the metal door frame can be removed as i have seen some other HDB renovation did the same too. And if it can be removed.

Any idea how much will it be to remove and seal up?

Im thinking of getting some other contractors to do it since he cannot

Thanks!

You're right they really got a big differences but they are really helpful in renovation stuff.

Hi Mr. Contractor,

What can I do to remove these red rubber things in the wall of master bedroom? I tried with a plier but didn't work because they seem to be embedded.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Edited February 17, 201313 yr by gemini

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Edited March 13, 201313 yr by gemini

Mrcontractor,

can i find out from you the rough cost to hack and lay homogenous tiles for living/dining area?

it's a BTO 4rm flat.

Dear Mrcontractor,

I intend to renovate my house, but wondering how much budget should I to give, Can you help to take a look the below and give advise the estimated price?

Appreciate you assist.

Location: 4 room flat, woodland Blk 710.

Living Room:

1. Build in TV console(Simple type cover all wiring)

2. Shoe cabinet + seating(1 person)

3. Storage cabinet with 祖先神台(beside shoe cabinet)

Kitchen:

1. All cabinets need to change + build in one new Full high cabinet beside the fridge.

2. Build 3 sliding door to close kitchen

Kitchen Toilet:

1. Overlay flooring and half of wall

2. Cover all the big piping

3. Build in false ceiling

4. Build in New basin with cabinet

5. Change toilet bowl

6. Change the door to frosted door(plastic type)

Service balcony:

1. Window remove the sticker and wash

Master bedroom:

1. Full high Wardrobe - 4 doors

2. Half high false wall + Bed header only

3. 4 doors Wall cabinet(H:85cm) – above false wall(for storage books)

4. Cabinet bench near window + Small TV Console

5. 1 of the wall paste Wall paper(the wall face to toilet)

Toilet in master bedroom:

1. Overlay flooring and half of wall

2. Cover all the big piping

3. Build in false ceiling

4. Separate Dry and wet area(separate by Frosted Glass)

5. Change new basin with cabinet + 1 wall cabinet

6. Change toilet bowl

7. Change the toilet door to frosted glass door

My son bedroom:

1. Build in study table with drawer(L shape)

2. 3 or 4 doors wall cabinet(H:85cm)-above study table(for storage books)

3. Full high Wardrobe - 2 doors only

Others:

1. Very simple False ceiling for all 3 bedrooms.

2. Refurbish for the doors of 3 bedrooms.

3. Painting whole house

hi Mr Contractor, do you have any contractor(s) to recommend for carpentry works since you have already retired. I would need a carpenter as i have the designs of what i want in mind. What is your advisor then, to go through an ID company or direct carpenter if i do not need ID help. You can pm me. Thanks in advance.

Hi Mr Contractor,

I am looking to renovate my kitchen as the cabinets under the sink has rotted. My mum is a heavy user of the kitchen. Do you think it is a good idea to construct a concrete structure for the sink area and cover it with laminates ? Is granite top a good choice for heacy cooking ? Whenever my mum cooks, the entire tabletop is wet and oily at times cause she likes to deep fry. I wonder if granite will be easily stained in this way ?

Dear Mr Contractor,

Thank you for shedding light to me! Same Qus as mightyA, do you happen to have some contacts for contractors?

Btw I recently contacted this guy who is an agent and he can bring a reliable contractor he works with to my house to view first. What role does the agent normally play? Thank you!

Hi Mr Contractor

Thank you very much for all your valuable advice.

I recently received a quotation for renovating my HDB flat. However noticed that alot of the quotes just stated supply labour to install XX, does it mean that i would have to purchase the item to be installed separately?

Eg: for Master bathroom

Supply labour to install accessories at $41 ,

supply labour to install wash basin at $81.

Supply labour to install spray jet at $27

supply labour to install additional outlet point at $27.

The above is then repeated for bathroom 2 with the same costings.

Does it mean that i will have to purchase and pay separately for wash basin, etc?

would apprecuiate if you could let me know if there is anything i should be aware of

thanks

Faye

Hi Mrcontractor,

i would like to check with you, if my completion date is roughly one year later from now, do i need to start thinking what design i would need to renovate in my BTO flat and comparing/checking the prices out??

And one more question is, mine is 4rm BTO flat - 93squared metre, how to count how much budget should i set aside for the tiles? I only need to tiles my kitchen, living room and 3 bedroom at least i don wan to get bluffed through when i go find the contractor whereby i only need like roughly these amount of tiles but they quote alot extra ?