My HDB Executive Maisonette (EM) Journey

[kengwee 3]

Dear all,

This space is to record the renovation journey since March 2020.

It all started when my BTO attained it's MOP. With our kids going to Primary 1 next year, it is time to source a flat that is near my alumni school and the floor area must be bigger then the existing. Soon enough, we managed to find one executive maisonette in Bukit Batok Central. And our reno journey begins.....

ID or Contractor, definitely Contractor.  Seeing how my sister in law's old and existing flat been renovated with his current contractor, we must make an appointment with him. Comparing our BTO with my sister in law flat, I must said that there are differences in the workmanship and quality of material used. Maybe this explain why some contractor/ID are more expensive then the rest. Really, what you paid is what you get.

Meeting with my contractor is a bliss. With his vast experiences, he is quick to come out with the various possibility according to our needs. As long as you have the idea, he will make it happen for you. He will also explain the pro's and con's and the decision eventually lies with us. A good contractor is one with a good team of workers, and he handled them well. As my flat needs to follow in accordance to my Feng Shui master, my contractor was able to fulfil those requirements, really glad to have engaged him. Because of the COVID that happened, he was quick to re-priorities worker and works so that there is minimal impact to the timeline.

The renovations to my EM includes:

1. Hacking of existing floor, kitchen wall and windows.
2. Reinstate the balcony and build a glass roof.
3. Level the kitchen drop.
4. Replace staircase rail and flooring.
5. Tiles for whole house.
6. Replace main gate and fire rated door.
7. Replace all rooms door.
8. Electricity re-wire for whole house.
9. System 3 and System 2 aircons for whole house.
10. Carpentry for Kitchen, Storage outside kitchen, shoe cabinet, storage under the staircase, wardrobe in bedroom and toilets.
11. Plaster whole house.
12. Paint whole house.
13. Install all my Taobao purchase.

So in summary, it was a major overhaul and picture will speak more for itself.

Edited November 11, 2020 by kengwee
alignment

[kengwee 3]

Hacking works. After Hacking, one of the wall behind the carpentry reviewed some cracks. So we arranged for HDB to inspect it. This is to ensure that there is no issue to the structure integrity of the building/ flat. The staircase rail was deliberately left there so that safety of the workers were considered. It will only be removed when the new rail is ready to be installed.

 

Edited November 11, 2020 by kengwee

[kengwee 3]

Next is shopping time. A tired process.

For tiles, we went to hafary as they have a wide variety to choose from. Initially, we were still contemplating if we just want to overlay the existing tiles with vinyl, we even paid deposit for it. Eventually, considering the age of the flat and the exisiting condition of the tile, we decide to just hack and relay all with new tiles. Expensive, but for long lasting. 

For bathroom, we went to Bathroom warehouse to get the toilet bowl. Eventually, we brought wrongly and my contractor have to make his own trip to do the exchange, really go to the extra miles.

For Hob and Hood, we choose Fujiho after much research and 1 particular shop in IMM sell the cheapest. Our existing Bosch CMI, after using, you will still feel your whole kitchen is smelly and oily. After reading many user review for fujiho, we eventually go for it.

The rest of our stuffs were brought from Taobao. Lighting, Kitchen draw, basin, sink, tv console, sofa, bed frame, swing chair.. you name it..

 

 

 

Edited November 11, 2020 by kengwee

[kengwee 3]

Learning from internet, I managed to install smart switches and smart control for my house. From digital lock (Yale),  digital clothes hanger (TB), digital switch (TB), google home (local), smart devices (various).... All these can be integrated with my google home. 

My taobao skill also improved.. Changed a few third party forwarder.. 

From this renovation journey, I learnt alot of things after reading from telegram, online forums and word of mouth. So if you have any questions, feel free to drop a message here. Will be glad to answer them and shorten your learning curve.

Our house is undergoing various touch up and unpacking. Once everything is done, will post the beautiful picture of it.

Edited November 11, 2020 by kengwee

[kengwee 3]

The smart switch by Sonoff. Can be controlled by google home, remote control, handphone and the physical switch.

The amazing thing is the binding of the switch, my heater is now 2 way. Switch outside common area and master bedroom can be controlled both ways. Love it.

The con is the plain design. However, the tempered glass gave it the classy look. Do note that neutral wire is required for these switches as compared to the xiaomi kind. (Wife labelled the switch for easy identification)

 

Edited November 12, 2020 by kengwee

[kengwee 3]

Loot from Taobao! Part 1 of xxx..

The smart drying/laundry rack. Even though I have a dryer at home, sometimes my hand washed floor mats will be hang to dry. Thus, my wife brought this from TB and I installed it. 

Installation was easy, with a cupboard marking of the 4 holes provided, you need to tape it up and drill 4 holes for the wall plugs. Connect the wires (CB off pls)... Voilà... 

[KFC1189 11]

It looks like your EM is a corner one. Can you post the floor plan for us to visualize your renovation better?

 

[kengwee 3]

The floor plan. The previous owner also brought the access balcony too. 155m² floor area in total. As mentioned, we recreated the balcony and changed the kitchen opening facing. Our balcony sliding door also have to face a certain angle due to fs. 

[KFC1189 11]

On 11/12/2020 at 7:44 PM, kengwee said:

The smart switch by Sonoff. Can be controlled by google home, remote control, handphone and the physical switch.

The amazing thing is the binding of the switch, my heater is now 2 way. Switch outside common area and master bedroom can be controlled both ways. Love it.

The con is the plain design. However, the tempered glass gave it the classy look. Do note that neutral wire is required for these switches as compared to the xiaomi kind. (Wife labelled the switch for easy identification)

 

Hi Kengwee,

I believe you have done an evaluation between Xiaomi smart switches and Sonoff switches. Can you tell us more about the advantages and disadvantages of each brand.

I am quite interested in the Xiaomi switches as I have quite a few smart products from Xiaomi already.

 

[kengwee 3]

On 11/20/2020 at 12:25 AM, KFC1189 said:

Hi Kengwee,

I believe you have done an evaluation between Xiaomi smart switches and Sonoff switches. Can you tell us more about the advantages and disadvantages of each brand.

I am quite interested in the Xiaomi switches as I have quite a few smart products from Xiaomi already.

 

Hi, i also have xiaomi cam (yi and mijia series), air purifier and pet's food dispenser. So i am a great fan of xiaomi. Going to buy their robot cleaner soon.

A few reasons why i choose other brand vs xiaomi. 

1) Neutral wire. Unless i have no choice, otherwise i will want my house to be rewired with netural wire. Read more at : https://h4sh.automate.asia/blogs/guides-and-reviews/5-reasons-why-you-need-neutral-for-smart-switches. And thats the reason why i choose sonoff after rewiring my whole house.

2) Sonoff, when offline mode can be used just like any switch (so abit of failsafe). Not sure xiaomi is likewise.

3) Integration with my google home. I read somewhere that there is intermittent issue with xiaomi. Cannot remember where. But if you are using xiao ai, guess xiao mi smart plug will be ideal.

4) This got RF. Can use remote to control. So i got their remote, i configured in a way that with 1 click, i can off all lights. So the lazy me, instead of closing all the lights by going to the individual switches, i use the remote. Super convenient. 

5) I also getting other sonoff products as they have usa, uk and eu version. But for xiaomi, i am not sure. So in terms of binding the products today, it is much more convenient for me.

What i did initially was to buy 1 and try. I suggest you do it too. And if the usage is acceptable then bulk purchase and install.

Good luck!

Edited November 21, 2020 by kengwee

[sotongfen 1]

Can share your contractor details

[Veronica2110 0]

Hi. Can share total cost and contractor details?

Im in the process of securing my EA. 
 

thank you. 

[HeyHaig 0]

Hi!! Your renovation journey looks well thought and seem to go on amazingly!

Can I ask your considerations when choosing a glass roof, the type of glass/material used and total cost of erecting the roof please?

[Renovic 0]

I’m in awe by your reno works and preparation. That’s a very beautiful home you end up with.

 

could you share the cost and reno contractor with me?

[genome84 0]

hi.. may i know how long is the application process for ur glass roof?  mine took 3 weeks and still waiting. also, how much  does the invisible grille at ur balcony cost?