My husband and I have been visiting Renotalk forum for a while now and are now in the midst of renovating our first home. Wanted to share some of the tips that we have learnt along the way, from fellow Renotalk members, designs from google, and those through our own experience.

Our humble home is a 3 bedroom executive condominium (EC), which we decided to buy after countless failed attempts at getting a BTO.

Original floorplan:

After renovation:

Table of contents:

<to be updated>

Edited February 22, 201511 yr by KiliGeo

Items in renovation contract (to be done by contractor)

1. Painting works for whole house interior and ceilings

2. Ceiling works - false ceiling L box **** room and MBR (FOC 6 pieces downlight)

Carpentry:

3. TV feature wall ****

4. glass wall at dining area

5. full ht wardrobe door at MBR

6. tv console **** and MBR

7. full height cabinet (shoe cabinet)

8. day and night curtains for living, MBR (with remote), 2 common rooms

9. aluminium window grill system for living, MBR, 2 bedrooms

10. solid surface top for kitchen cabinet

Others:

11. Electrical works

12. Wall paper for living/dining and MBR

13. Some modifications to kitchen

New flat comes with flooring to all rooms, doors, furnished toilets, kitchen, air con and wardrobes to 3 rooms.

Edited February 22, 201511 yr by KiliGeo

Original photos

Living and dining

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag330/jessicayin83/Renotalk/IMAG2043_zps17vtx7hx.jpg

Master bedroom

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag330/jessicayin83/Renotalk/IMAG2050_zpssgwlois9.jpg

Kitchen:

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag330/jessicayin83/HTC%20photos/IMAG2037_zpsbfaz6r6e.jpg

Inspiration for living design:

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag330/jessicayin83/HTC%20photos/IMG-20141220-WA0005_zpsdsfntahc.jpg

Edited June 8, 201511 yr by KiliGeo

Lightings & Fans:

To save cost, we decided to go to JB to purchase our items for lights and fans. Was debating if we wanted to install ceiling fans or to stick with the usual standing fans, we decided to go with the former after much research, and going to some our friend's houses.

Wanted initially to go to Tampoi where it was most recommended, however our contractor/ID recommended Luz Lighting for better selection of lights. Wanted to go back in 2-3 trips to purchase all our items however we were so excited and managed to purchase all on the same day. Went on a weekday, and the journey to and fro SG to JB took about half a day.

Our purchase:

1. Downlights RM 29 each x 14

2. Downlights x 3 (bigger size)

3. T5 - various watts

4. Corridor light with LED

5. Balcony light - simple square light

6. Dining crystal lights

7. Deka fan for living with bluetooth music RM600

8. Deka fan for MBR - RM 480

9. Fanco fans with LED x 2 - RM 510

10. Door bell (FOC )

Total damage: RM 4000 approx SGD1500

Edited February 22, 201511 yr by KiliGeo

3d photos:

1. Living/dining room

2. Master bedroom

Edited February 27, 201511 yr by KiliGeo

Before wallpaper:

Living

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag330/jessicayin83/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/CE49C1BA-2077-46CE-9011-2BC8C2F3B8A7_zpsp0jpgaqe.jpg

Dining

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag330/jessicayin83/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/558FA4C4-6F4D-4F39-82B7-4BD392578DB0_zpsskyvz9tr.jpg

After wallpaper:

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag330/jessicayin83/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/72103813-E7D9-4C65-94D7-E0919D456C34_zpszikpgtnf.jpg

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag330/jessicayin83/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/14206FC8-9E7F-4402-92A1-5CA97C4638B3_zpspdiwq1k2.jpg

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag330/jessicayin83/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/6DC37E58-71BE-4804-98E5-576FD25197C0_zpsd5j55s0v.jpg

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag330/jessicayin83/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/BFC66ED3-801E-4B06-9A58-586694274BCC_zpszalmvcik.jpg

Entrance:

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag330/jessicayin83/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/5BCCF7B0-061C-46F4-8BCA-AE605CB67926_zpskxxmi9tu.jpg

Master Bedroom

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag330/jessicayin83/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/B50CF513-9749-4B99-A822-54D59A1D28D8_zpsf7l4gyq2.jpg

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag330/jessicayin83/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/275F2E7C-816E-4BBA-B79E-37C1701567CA_zps41duwjgu.jpg

Bedroom

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag330/jessicayin83/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/A3A766BE-129E-462D-B991-193707047A64_zps6ixiw7dh.jpg

Kitchen:

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag330/jessicayin83/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-03/C0C88D7A-D05B-47D7-900F-A728AC352C27_zpsscesce4n.jpg

Edited June 8, 201511 yr by KiliGeo

Congrats on your new EC. Looking forward to more posts for reference as ours will TOP in early 2016. Can you share your budget for the works that you are planning to do? Why are you changing your kitchen top?

Hi Patricia,

Changing the kitchen top (mainly the cooker position) is not out of our choice but more on recommendation from Geomancer. I can say we are not very lucky in this aspect, and caused us quite a lot of headaches.

Can you imagine that one ID suggested that we change the whole kitchen - tear and rebuilt the kitchen. *faint*

As this is a major consideration for our costs, we choose the contractor/Id which can advise on the least amount change (and cost required) in the kitchen.

Lightings & Fans:

To save cost, we decided to go to JB to purchase our items for lights and fans. Was debating if we wanted to install ceiling fans or to stick with the usual standing fans, we decided to go with the former after much research, and going to some our friend's houses.

Wanted initially to go to Tampoi where it was most recommended, however our contractor/ID recommended Luz Lighting for better selection of lights. Wanted to go back in 2-3 trips to purchase all our items however we were so excited and managed to purchase all on the same day. Went on a weekday, and the journey to and fro SG to JB took about half a day.

Our purchase:

1. Downlights RM 29 each x 14

2. Downlights x 3 (bigger size)

3. T5 - various watts

4. Corridor light with LED

5. Balcony light - simple square light

6. Dining crystal lights

7. Deka fan for living with bluetooth music RM600

8. Deka fan for MBR - RM 480

9. Fanco fans with LED x 2 - RM 510

10. Door bell (FOC )

Total damage: RM 4000 approx SGD1500

Hi, could you share the address to Luz Lighting pls... i see that they sell fan too? Thanks..

Sorry for late reply.

Luz lighting address:

NO.55, JALAN BESTARI 1/5,

TAMAN NUSA BESTARI,

81300 SKUDAI, JOHOR.

SKUDAI

Telephone : 607 - 5116 118

Fax : 607 - 5116 118