The process of researching and selecting a contractor/ID is long and tedious. Though the renovation that we want to do is considered small scale, looking for the correct person require lots of hard work. Oh yes, you can’t choose someone based on the CHEAPEST quote.. you also won’t wanna pay someone with high quote. In all, it’s just complicated.
After a short discussion (surprisingly!) with BH, we decided to go with contractor A , a friend’s friend. The weird thing is I kinda know that I want him to do our reno after I told him about our design and all. He seem like a nice and easy going guy. Well, I felt comfortable that he is also my friend’s good friend. He was also willing to help out with some minor installation w/o charging, unlike other contractors/ID
ok fine, he was pleasant looking too! *gasp* that’s not the point. However, I got to admit that NOT everything in his quote is the cheapest. BH and I decided to compromise. I mean.. you can’t expect everything to be rock bottom low price, you win some, you lose some. Our mentality is, as long as the quote is within budget and he could complete it within the timeframe.. it’s good!
Have you ever felt like u made a good decision and nothing will change your mind? haha.. that’s how I feel about contractor A! I was very upset and disturbed that he took a long time ( longer than other contractors) to send me his quote. However, that’s when I realised that the impt of ‘save the best for last’. How true!
I haven’t sign on the dotted line of the contract or paid any deposit as he will need to remove some items which we decided not to do anymore
Date to take measurements: June 7
I really hope everything will come into place from now onwards. Phew! i feel a rock out of my chest now… at least when my parents or parents-in-law ask me if I started reno, I have something to say.
sigh…. not the best… long story 🙁 My dad insisted on getting this contractor which he saw from a flyer. We met him at our flat. His flyer advertised that the cost of 1 door is $150 BUT in the end, he measured our doors and say that ours is the BIGGER one, so the cost will be $350 w installation blah blah! I didn’t mk the bedroom doors with him as I think Yontat is so much better and nicer
In the end, because we felt obliged, we made the sliding windows for the yard ( 4 panels): $650 + 2 bathroom folding doors. suspended type (no thread below): $270 X 2
P/S:
1) Realised tt we might need to change an electrical pt in the kitchen because it will be blocked by the sliding door 🙁
2) I also kinda regretted making those aluminium toilet door – I think it will look weird. Thinking of making 1 of those in the masterbedrm will do, not sure if I can cancel order of 1 door
It’s getting difficult to balance family and reno 🙁 I know my dad meant well..and I don’t want to disrespect or disobey him. I am just caught in between
Nothing special about the lights we bought BUT we just want it simple and minimal. In other words, we r trying to recreate our SG home to be kinda like our US apartment. haha… I have no idea why… BUT we just like it… simple.. and yet slick..
Total damage: $1288 ( Free installation and delivery)
Installation date: June 22
Location: Bright House Lighting Pte Ltd @ newly open branch, Midview city
Special thanks to my sis for mking a LONG distance call to BH to get him to check his emails and texts, my dad for chauffering me around to looks for these items and my mum for her valueable suggestions
Ok. I made the first ever pruchase for our flat – the aircon
Purchased a Sanyo System 3 ( non-inverter) from Gain City. It has 3 ticks, shld be better among the non-inverters
Total damage: $2059
Date of installation: 13 June
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At least I have 1 thing off my list. Doing the reno in a LDR is very difficult, it also doesn’t help when we are in different timezone. In the end, my dad makes all the decisions for us 🙁
I am excited BUT I know BH doesn’t feel the joy with me… I can send him a very long email and all I get in return is as long as 1 sentence = 5 words or at most 10 words. Talking online via skype/webcam is v hard too as BH works long hrs and I believe he is doing his own things when I’m not ard. I only spoke to him less than 5 times on skype since I’m here. At times, it just feel like our marriage is failing apart due to lack of communication. Sigh… I really don’t know how are we gonna work things out IF I were to be back in SG for work 🙁
I see how couples shop together for their new home.. and it upsets me that BH is not even interested 🙁 Above all, I wanna thank my little sis and my dad for shopping with me today.
Today, I finally started our very own t-blog on renotalk. Well, that’s something BH and I had always wanted to do! Believe it or nt BUT we joined the forum all the way back in 2006 ( shown on our profile page) WOW!! This means we have been silient readers of this renovation forum for over 5 years!!! I don’t know why.. but i just felt like telling the whole world how happy I am that I am doing this renovation. THIS IS SOMETHING I WANTED FOR A VERY LONG TIME 🙂 Due to budget and our work schedule, we may not enjoy the place for a long while BUT by doing this renovation I feel like I am granting myself a BIG wish!
Searching for IDs/contractors is exhausting. Talking and discussing with BH is even more exhausting as we need to arrange a good timing to iron out these loose ends.
However, I’m happy to announce that we are down to the last 2 candidates. We are waiting for quotes BUT I believe we had found our ‘AHA’ contractor 🙂 You know when u found the right person…. to do the reno.. haha… Everything about the ‘plan’ seems so right…
Our main intention is to do up the kitchen and the masterbed room toilet. Our flat didn’t come with doors, we didn’t get it with HDB because we thought we will custom mk it. oh well, now we regret.
Things to be done by other vendors:
1) Install lights at other areas of the house other than the living room. Will get the electrican at lights store to do installation. My dad say cheaper. ID quote me 2.5K for electrial wiring and installation!!!
2) Windown griils. Unexpected item on our list. We didn’t want this to be done BUT my parents insist that it needs to be done since it’s mid-floor. BH say ‘Just do it’ Will do this together with the doors
3) 3 doors for bedroom + 2 Toilet doors. ID quoted $250-300 each door. My dad found cheaper ones for only $150. He kindly want to bring me to the factory.
4) Air-con. We only wanted system 2 ( 1 air con in masterbed room and 1 in living room) My parents say bad idea – mk system 3. I’ll listen to them ,the diff of 1 aircon only about $400
5) Ceiling fan. My parents say better to install ceiling fan though I say whole house will be airconditioned. Because I will be installing ceiling fan, I will need to have false ceiling to mk lights for the living/dining area. Definitely not getting a fan with weird lights attached to it ( OK.. i might change my mind with the false ceiling .. I pray v hard that they have ok looking ceiling fans w lights – need to go shopping soon!!!!)
Things we are giving up:
1) No washer. we will bring clothes home to US to wash or just wash at our family’s place
2) No hecking of wall. Reason is it is NOT cost effective. HDB permit will be needed and will take 2 weeks to approve. Furthermore, more haulage fees!
Things to be done by *chosen* ID/contractor:
Wet work
1. Construct a cement base for kitchen cabinet
2. Construct shower kerb
Plumbing
1. to re-run partial stainless steel pipe for kitchen
2. To supply labour to connect inlet & outlet pipes for kitchen sink
3. Install sink and water heater
Toilet at Masterbed room
1. To supply and install thick frameless glass shower screen
2. Build cabinet under sink to enclose pipe
3. Help install toilet accessories ( like mirror)
Kitchen Area
1. Fabricate and install kitchen cabinets with solid ply laminate
2. Fabricate and install sold surface worktop at kitchen cabinets
3. Tempered glass sliding door for kitchen entrance
Living room area
1. Erect false ceiling with cove light at living/ dining area
2. False wall/partition to even out part of the living room wall
Painting works
1. Supply labour to paint whole house
Electrical works
1. Supple labour to wire the lights at the false ceiling area
2. Help install ceiling fan
I have been back in SG for abt 4 days and had been busy with the home renovation and distribution of spree items. I have NOT met a single friend yet – guilty but I need to settle this huge renovation rock off my chest. Once renovation starts, I will have ample time to meet-up with everyone ( I hope)
List of ID/contractor we touched base with:
1) Design Profession – Kate. The FIRST ID both of us saw. Met her last year in Oct and we have a good impression on her. We find her honest and experienced. She was able to explain to us everything newbies
2) Mr Toh (can’t recall his company’s name) – The contractor/ID loittering at our blk. Both of us saw him and his show flats. My parents saw the show flats too. Thought the price was v reasonable! Tempted to sign with him BUT decided to shop around somemore
3) Ideal House – Daniel. Great reviews on renotalk. I also have a friend on facebook who engaged them and put up beautiful pictures of her home. I went to the office alone and was helped by a tall, dark and handsome young man. haha… almost got blown away. Now waiting for his quote. It was nice talking to him. Told BH about it and he was like ” don’t go to him because of looks!” danger zone! anyway, the supposedly good ID in this firm is Mr K (k=kenneth, i belief) Still waiting for quotation from Daniel – he gave me many insights to the nitty gritty details of the home which WE/other designers left out. Upz!
4) Inside Living – Jun. BH met her once in Oct, she emailed quote to BH. The price was reasonable! BUT I thought other stuff were missing. I gave her a call and went down to the office to look for her. Ironed out some details and made changes (according to what Daniel suggested to me). Hopefully this quote will be MORE comprehensive with no hidden cost. BTW, electrical works are so ex! It was 2.5-3K according to her AND it was left out in the quote… no wonder quote was so cheap!
5) 3D innovation – Melvin. Contacted by him as BH put our info. on renotalk. Nice to talk to BUT no good guts. Though he say the company is BIG BUT i cannot find any reviews. Most likely give a miss
6) ID note – Henry. Super recommended by Renotalk. However, there’s mixed reviews on him. He seem nice on the phone and told me to email him what I want to do and he will get back to me with the quote. Emailed on 20 May – waiting.
7) IR design – Roy Tan. He had done a fellow treelodge’s home in April, looks nice on picture and have great reviews too! Called him on phone. Same case as Henry , told me to email him and he will get back to me with the quote. Emailed on 19 May – waiting.
8 ) 9 lives – called NO ANSWER. Emailed on 19 May – no response. Most likely is out.
FYI, the CONTRACTORS ( not IDs) which I found are not picking up calls !! Maybe contractors are not good choices
Will stop looking at this pt because too many quotes… v confusing and alot of decisons to make 🙁
So for now, I am tending towards #1 ( need to ask for quote again if all else fails), #3, #4, #6. Hope the price is right!
I have ALWAYS believed that a BOOK is something physical and it is meant to be held on hand. HOWEVER, as I was packing for my trip.. I suddenly realised that my luggage is TOOOOOO heavy to accomodate a BOOK. The BOOK which I wanna bring with me is BREAKING DAWN ( yes – the last book of the Twilight Saga) I LOVE the Twilight Saga and I read it b4 I watch each movie. (Can’t wait for BREAKING DAWN movie!!!) haha.. BH thinks I’m crazy.. BUT I like to rem the quotes and repeat after the characters when I watch the movie.. and I get super angry when the movie is not as accurate as the book. Anyway, I was in panic mode when I realised that I can’t accomodate the book (due to its thickness = weight) “I need a Kindle” I told BH when he gets home from work.
BH is super enthu about buying tech stuff so HE began to research. He showed me various alternatives BUT I was uninterested. I mean.. I only wanted a kindle because it is CHEAPER compared to ipad or other forms of e-reader or tablet PC. I toyed with the thought of an ipad BUT we went to the Apple store and I don’t like how heavy and BIG is it. haha… my hand actually ached after holding it to read for 5 mins! geeez… and the glare, I can’t take it.. furthermore, I don’t like to watch movies/videos on the computer ( or plane for that matter) I can’t deny this BUT at the back of my head, I was thinking of putting the e-reader in my Chanel flap ( if i ever get one) Ipad is too heavy and will ruin the shape of the bag overtime. Afterall, IF I’m getting MY Chanel, it’s gonna be PERFECT! keke.. ok.. wishful thinking… FYI, Chanel price hike in US starts June 1 , getting further from my dream 🙁
Any case, we searched for other alternatives and emailed sellers on craigslist. In the end, we decided to go for the promotion at Microsoft Store – Buy a Kindle and get a FREE leather cover (ends May 8, the day we bought it. Phew!) . The question is… which Kindle to get? Basically, I am only looking at these 3 :
1) Kindle (wifi) with advertising US$114 – This means, if u r not reading the kindle, the screensaver will be filled with advertisement. Advertisement doesn’t bother me because even if it’s not advertisement, the kindle’s screensaver can’t be customised.
2) Kindle (wifi) US$139 – same as above w/o advertisement. erm.. the screensaver is Kindle’s own, introducing various authors
3) Kindle ( FREE 3G + wifi) US$189 – same as the 2 above BUT it comes with 3G. 3G for kindle is not linked with any telco ( not like ipad) Technically, IF i’m at a place w/o wifi – 3G will be used. According to Amazon, they have connections with telco of 100 countries (includes SG) so no cost will be incurred! The pt of the 3G is to d/l books BUT ALL Kindle comes with an EXPERIMENTAL browser – It is not powerful BUT good enough for checking email, facebook and even DBS ibanking!!! :O This means tt I can browse simple websites overseas ( 100 countries covered by Amazon) for FREE , even when there’s no free wifi. This is super useful when travelling!
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Anyway, I am tending towards Option 1 because it’s the cheapest. I was going to sell the Kindle after I’m done with it during this trip. However, BH was very keen on Option 3 – the one with 3G. In the end, he said ” Just get the one with 3G – I will pay for the diff. ” erm… OK… Btw, he paid for everything and I haven’t paid him yet. haha.. HEY… I have the intention to!
First look! Yummy!
First touch!
First charge!
Kindle in FREE leather cover worth US$35!
How kindle looks inside the cover... haha.. maybe I shld have bought the white kindle.. more colour contrast
MY BLOG IS KINDLE-FRIENDLY 😀
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Kindle is fabulous! Loving it! Just for records, the first book bought is BREAKING DAWN and I had downloaded a tonne of FREE books. haha… Caryn, if u r reading this… THERE’S A WHOLE LOT OF TRASHY NOVELS FOR FREE!!! kekeke… In the libraries,these trashy novels look old and dirty… on the kindle, it’s always CLEAN! 😀
1 other thing to note about Kindle: I have been accumulating SWAGBUCKS and participating on BING REWARDS, every mth or so, I will have enough pts to redeem $5 Amazon giftcard from EACH site. This means NEW BOOKs! heh.. have been doing these for awhile now 🙂
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I had been reading reviews of Kindle’s 3G coverage in Singapore. It seems like the 3G can’t really work there 🙁 I’m kinda disapted BUT I’ll try it then review here to clear misconceptions. (I hope!) keke.. This trip, I will also be visiting other countries like Korea ( for transit) , Hongkong ( for Mayday concert) and Bangkok ( for leisure) I’ll also bring the kindle along and test it out at these places. Stay tuned!
