Project: 1St Home @ Tpy

[EaGleLaI 0]

was getting to that bit. hee btw does anyone know how to change the display name in renotalk? cant find it under personal settings.

our ID search was pretty straightfwd. Just met up with 3 IDs, and eventually decided on a freelance ID + a contractor used by our family.

Reason being 1. the cost differential (saved abt 10k -15k just on the intial rough quote) and 2. We like that ID's emphasis on clean lines and spatial arrangement which we didnt feel as strongly with the rest.. Our theme is really a mix between minimalist and European. Alot of white and wood I guess.

Its going to be a challenge in terms of project though, since we just hired the ID to the drawings. But we'll have to see how it goes. I hope the contractor can just interprete from the 3Ds..

In terms of time-lines; hoping to get the keys by early July, and end renovations + move in after the lunar 7th mth!

So our to-do list till 2nd appt.

a. get the 3D drawings.

b. get the finalised quote

c. do up the budget excel for the reno /furniture and fittings.

Hee will update soon with the 2D layout/finalised quote (for reference) and any upcoming GSS sales hur hur. may we all get good byes from the sales.

Hi Chin Ser,

I am also looking for a freelance ID. Do you mind sharing your contact ? Thanks

[ChinSer 0]

heh .. got my keys but ran into alot of hiccups with HDB.. plus alot of time spent on sourcing for stuff. No time to update.. and so much to *****!

eagle! will pm u the contact!

[Bengologist 1]

heh .. got my keys but ran into alot of hiccups with HDB.. plus alot of time spent on sourcing for stuff. No time to update.. and so much to *****!

eagle! will pm u the contact!

Wah! Ran into a lot of hiccups with HDB. What happen? Don't worry, we'll wait for your updates. Hopefully things are gonna turn out fine! Good luck!

[jus4fun 4]

Wow, happening!

Ooops! No no! I do not mean to be 幸灾乐祸.. more out of concern.. hope all hiccups are settled & u can proceed with the transformation project! If u may hv the time, do share ur progress & any problem that u may encounter (hope none of cos) so that we could share our experiences too or help each other ya!

All the best!

Edited July 17, 2013 by jus4fun

[ChinSer 0]

back!

Been a hectic time of late and totally neglecting this space. Thx for waiting for me jus4fun and Beng haha ..

Loads to update but i'll start with the negatives haha get it off my chest abit .

1. HDB wall hacking approval.

Was one of the suay kiddos that need a PE approval for hacking the wall (design changed somewhat after FS consultation) ... what i realised is very few PEs want biz from HDB owners like myself. =( After endless cold calling based on HDB 's PE list i get either 1) not interested response . 2) sky high quote or 3) really delayed response. Was quite depressed. My contractor's go to PE was more interested in landed prop so the quote was sth to the effect of 900. =S

All that just to do certification for non-load bearing wall. GOSH....... BUT i got lucky, managed to find one in the end for 400 and the approval came soon after. *phew* . Though i keep feeling my house isnt sturdy enuf with the wall down.. hiak

What I gathered from the HDB Technical officer is that, pre-fab units (such as mine) and those on the lower floors have a higher probability of needing PE approval. So good luck to those whose ID doesnt have a contact its not the pleasent of searches.

2. Neighbour complaints.

So now with the wall down, I was pretty happy, till.......... i got complaints from my neighbours abt noise and dust level. They said some pretty nasty things, and was quite guilt tripping. I guess its terrible for the ah ma next door to endure the noise *mental note to bring some goodies*, so now im much less enthused abt the renovations. I know its stupid, but i think their comments cut quite badly. *hiaz*

How do u guys deal with neighbours during reno? I haboured high hopes of being chummy with them.. but now i think thats dashed.

Hopefully now that the majority of the noisy works is over and the fact my contractor is sweeping their corridor daily, it should lessen the bad will.

[ChinSer 0]

btw in keeping with my love for shopping. Tangs will be having their NDR sale this week *hurray* . Totally convienent to get from Tangs, Isetan and Taka this weekend. hoho

[juxstapose 2]

So many sales? *rubbing hands in glee*

[vanessa 12]

back!

Been a hectic time of late and totally neglecting this space. Thx for waiting for me jus4fun and Beng haha ..

Loads to update but i'll start with the negatives haha get it off my chest abit .

1. HDB wall hacking approval.

Was one of the suay kiddos that need a PE approval for hacking the wall (design changed somewhat after FS consultation) ... what i realised is very few PEs want biz from HDB owners like myself. =( After endless cold calling based on HDB 's PE list i get either 1) not interested response . 2) sky high quote or 3) really delayed response. Was quite depressed. My contractor's go to PE was more interested in landed prop so the quote was sth to the effect of 900. =S

All that just to do certification for non-load bearing wall. GOSH....... BUT i got lucky, managed to find one in the end for 400 and the approval came soon after. *phew* . Though i keep feeling my house isnt sturdy enuf with the wall down.. hiak

What I gathered from the HDB Technical officer is that, pre-fab units (such as mine) and those on the lower floors have a higher probability of needing PE approval. So good luck to those whose ID doesnt have a contact its not the pleasent of searches.

2. Neighbour complaints.

So now with the wall down, I was pretty happy, till.......... i got complaints from my neighbours abt noise and dust level. They said some pretty nasty things, and was quite guilt tripping. I guess its terrible for the ah ma next door to endure the noise *mental note to bring some goodies*, so now im much less enthused abt the renovations. I know its stupid, but i think their comments cut quite badly. *hiaz*

How do u guys deal with neighbours during reno? I haboured high hopes of being chummy with them.. but now i think thats dashed.

Hopefully now that the majority of the noisy works is over and the fact my contractor is sweeping their corridor daily, it should lessen the bad will.

Totally can relate to the PE needed for walls....that delayed my renovation for over a month. Finally got someone to do the calculations...but it is going to cost me $700!

[jus4fun 4]

back!

Been a hectic time of late and totally neglecting this space. Thx for waiting for me jus4fun and Beng haha ..

Loads to update but i'll start with the negatives haha get it off my chest abit .

1. HDB wall hacking approval.

Was one of the suay kiddos that need a PE approval for hacking the wall (design changed somewhat after FS consultation) ... what i realised is very few PEs want biz from HDB owners like myself. =( After endless cold calling based on HDB 's PE list i get either 1) not interested response . 2) sky high quote or 3) really delayed response. Was quite depressed. My contractor's go to PE was more interested in landed prop so the quote was sth to the effect of 900. =S

All that just to do certification for non-load bearing wall. GOSH....... BUT i got lucky, managed to find one in the end for 400 and the approval came soon after. *phew* . Though i keep feeling my house isnt sturdy enuf with the wall down.. hiak

What I gathered from the HDB Technical officer is that, pre-fab units (such as mine) and those on the lower floors have a higher probability of needing PE approval. So good luck to those whose ID doesnt have a contact its not the pleasent of searches.

2. Neighbour complaints.

So now with the wall down, I was pretty happy, till.......... i got complaints from my neighbours abt noise and dust level. They said some pretty nasty things, and was quite guilt tripping. I guess its terrible for the ah ma next door to endure the noise *mental note to bring some goodies*, so now im much less enthused abt the renovations. I know its stupid, but i think their comments cut quite badly. *hiaz*

How do u guys deal with neighbours during reno? I haboured high hopes of being chummy with them.. but now i think thats dashed.

Hopefully now that the majority of the noisy works is over and the fact my contractor is sweeping their corridor daily, it should lessen the bad will.

Hi ChinSer

Welcome back! Glad to hear that things r moving again! Pictures leh?! Haha!

Have an njoyable long holiday weekn! (Does that mean reno works taking a break too? )

[ChinSer 0]

Vanessa: apparently if its non load bearing no calculations need to be done. its just a simple para stating its non-load bearing and ok to hack. Plus of course that horribly expensive PE chop.

Totally get u, the uncertainty and delay.. pats. but its over now right? When are u resubmitting? I think approval takes abt 2-3days and if possible hound your tech officer to mark as urgent . we console ourselves that money spent is for peace of mind?

juxtapose : yea sale! hoping to upload my loots post weekend whee..will i see u at the sales? haha

jus4fun: i owe u pics def.. =( but ive been sneaking in during the night. the photos are **** dim. need to edit or retake tml.. hubs abit against showing ple first. i think he is scared it wun turn up to expectations

.. and ya man confirm they are taking a break.

Dont mind la.. im not slave driver.. haha they need a break. plus now 7th mth liao. no hurries hur hur..

[vanessa 12]

Vanessa: apparently if its non load bearing no calculations need to be done. its just a simple para stating its non-load bearing and ok to hack. Plus of course that horribly expensive PE chop.

Totally get u, the uncertainty and delay.. pats. but its over now right? When are u resubmitting? I think approval takes abt 2-3days and if possible hound your tech officer to mark as urgent . we console ourselves that money spent is for peace of mind?

juxtapose : yea sale! hoping to upload my loots post weekend whee..will i see u at the sales? haha

jus4fun: i owe u pics def.. =( but ive been sneaking in during the night. the photos are **** dim. need to edit or retake tml.. hubs abit against showing ple first. i think he is scared it wun turn up to expectations

.. and ya man confirm they are taking a break.

Dont mind la.. im not slave driver.. haha they need a break. plus now 7th mth liao. no hurries hur hur..

I needed PE endorsement because the wall faces a void (staircase)....and they are worried about people falling down...errr....hello...there's a glass railing!....Noooo....must have PE endorsement....GRRRRR True...at least now there is a peace of mind....we should be submitting the signed documents either later today or latest...sure hope to start work by next week again. We are losing so much time because of the long weekend...and i am starting to get anxious to see work started again. We can't do tiling etc...cos the hacking might damage tiles.

[jus4fun 4]

Vanessa: apparently if its non load bearing no calculations need to be done. its just a simple para stating its non-load bearing and ok to hack. Plus of course that horribly expensive PE chop.

Totally get u, the uncertainty and delay.. pats. but its over now right? When are u resubmitting? I think approval takes abt 2-3days and if possible hound your tech officer to mark as urgent . we console ourselves that money spent is for peace of mind?

juxtapose : yea sale! hoping to upload my loots post weekend whee..will i see u at the sales? haha

jus4fun: i owe u pics def.. =( but ive been sneaking in during the night. the photos are **** dim. need to edit or retake tml.. hubs abit against showing ple first. i think he is scared it wun turn up to expectations

.. and ya man confirm they are taking a break.

Dont mind la.. im not slave driver.. haha they need a break. plus now 7th mth liao. no hurries hur hur..

Haha, u dun owe anyone any pic lah.. it's more of a record of ur own reno journey when u look back! Regretted not doing up my own blog lor..

Oh ya hor, 7th month no moving in.. so can man man lai lo..

Edited August 7, 2013 by jus4fun

[ProjectH 0]

Just4fun: u can still take a blog and show us ur place?!

Hee chinser, for a moment, i thot u r my frd wife.. They also juz bought a plc at Toa Payoh, engaged a free lance ID and family contractor.. Called her n realised theirs is 5 room and nearer to Lorong 8

Happy reno and look forward to more pixs!

[jus4fun 4]

Just4fun: u can still take a blog and show us ur place?!

Hee chinser, for a moment, i thot u r my frd wife.. They also juz bought a plc at Toa Payoh, engaged a free lance ID and family contractor.. Called her n realised theirs is 5 room and nearer to Lorong 8

Happy reno and look forward to more pixs!

Aiyo ProjectH.. it's more than 1 yr liao.. who wanna see? By the way, can only post pics.. somemore some areas never take & some taken badly..

[ProjectH 0]

Haha! I wanna see! Gd to see live in conditon! .