hdb really is quite efficient these days- we received a notification via sms that our 2nd appointment date has been confirmed!
d-day: 08.08.08
hahahaha. in the words of all the aunty-uncles out there: HUAT AH!!!
we'll be liasing with the owner's agent to do a final inspection of the flat before the appointment. (as per hdb instruction)
note to self: bring a camera so you can get trigger happy!
whohooo!! this is so exciting!!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Reviews: IDs
hehe. oops. sorry for the long lapse. have been realy busy with work, our 1st appt, id reviewing and various other market research. keke
but firstly, let me share on the various IDs that we've spoken to so far:
Plush Design: 4/5, $$$$
Spoke to Sky from Plush. He's the boss there I think. He's one that really gives alot of confidence that the work he turns out will be good. First thing he did was to show us the carpentry that his workshop turns out, and he really emphasizes on quality. He's really professional too- provided us with a work file, with quote, drawings, etc, and shows all costs clearly (ie: no unseen costs). Design wise also not bad- practical layouts which we agreed with. We definitely liked him, but unfortunately, his price range was on the higher side, so we decided to drop after a while. Would def. recommend him for pple with bigger budgets though.
Inzen: 3.4/5 $$$$
Had heard alot about their pricing being very reasonable, so decided to try them out too. However their price range is only slightly lower than that of Plush Design. Design wise also ok la. Nothing too earth shattering cuz we already knew what we want. ID I spoke to (Roy) there was not too bad though. Seems pretty experienced. Good to 'check out' I think.
Love Home: 1.5/5
Was walking around the toa payoh area and chanced upon their showroom. Spoke to Samuel who said he was one of the directors there. Went to meet him a 2nd time with our floorplan as we didn't bring it the 1st time round. Wah. Service damn bad. Supposed to meet him in the morning at 10am. We turned up, but he didn't. Called him repeatedly, but no ans. Only in the late afternoon did we get an sms from him that he overslept. Didn't even bother to call. Wah. Nevermind, we set another appt with him. And he was late again. We were quite put off by the lack of professionalism. Although he apologised, I the damage was already done. He also didn't bother to contact us again for a follow up discussion & to give us a quote.
Ideal House: 1/5 $$$$$
Heard about Ideal House from renotalk. decided to check it out since we were nearby. Experience was not ideal la. An ID named Alton served us. He smelt of stale smoke, and pushed us the package & asked us if we wanted to sign on that day itself. Put off coz I don't think it's right for IDs to hardsell their services without showing what they can deliver 1st. Gave him the floorplan & budget. When we met him for follow up, the budget was busted by about 30%. Very pricy, with significantly 'contractor' feel. Not impressed.
Wea Design: 4/5 $$$
Along the same stretch as Love Home. Their pricing is extremely competitive, with very good package deals. They throw in ALOT of stuff: system 3 aircon, cooker hood & hob, kitchen sink & mixer, 2 toilet bowls, toilet sinks & mixers, shower, accessories & instant heaters. However, you have no choice as to the type of freebies you get. No 'upgrading'. They will reimburse you whatever you don't want from them. Their workmanship is also not bad, though I suspect you'll have to be a little anal with them, as they have a 'contractor' feel to them as well. ID was Apple. She seemed very sincere, but not too experienced. Had to check about the pricing of alot of items. Also, somehow their co name is not listed under the approved list of contractors! Spoke to Apple about it & she said that they're under a parent co that IS under the approved list. We decided to drop coz not comfortable with that, and coz we met another ID which we felt would be better.
Northwest Interior Design: 4/5 $$$
Went to Northwest coz they had some promo in the newspapers. Decided to check them out. Met with an ID called Mike. Quite a good impression of him. He could draw out mockups of what we wanted various cabinetry/layouts to look like off the bat. Seems quite experienced & could tell us based on our works what the estimated costs would go to based on his experience. Took us to a showflat his colleague was doing up to look at the carpentry. Not bad as well. The co also gives ALOT of freebies with their resale package, which look quite good: system 3 aircon, kitchen hob, hood, sink, mixer, 2 sets of toilet bowls, sink & taps, bath mixers, toilet accessories & a storage heater. You have a choice of a small range of each item & can even change/top up for more expensive items at their supplier's shop should you want to. Decided to go with them coz the price was reasonable and we have faith (hopefully not misplaced!) that the ID will be a good project manager. Will def. be taking lots of pics of the reno in progress!
but firstly, let me share on the various IDs that we've spoken to so far:
Plush Design: 4/5, $$$$
Spoke to Sky from Plush. He's the boss there I think. He's one that really gives alot of confidence that the work he turns out will be good. First thing he did was to show us the carpentry that his workshop turns out, and he really emphasizes on quality. He's really professional too- provided us with a work file, with quote, drawings, etc, and shows all costs clearly (ie: no unseen costs). Design wise also not bad- practical layouts which we agreed with. We definitely liked him, but unfortunately, his price range was on the higher side, so we decided to drop after a while. Would def. recommend him for pple with bigger budgets though.
Inzen: 3.4/5 $$$$
Had heard alot about their pricing being very reasonable, so decided to try them out too. However their price range is only slightly lower than that of Plush Design. Design wise also ok la. Nothing too earth shattering cuz we already knew what we want. ID I spoke to (Roy) there was not too bad though. Seems pretty experienced. Good to 'check out' I think.
Love Home: 1.5/5
Was walking around the toa payoh area and chanced upon their showroom. Spoke to Samuel who said he was one of the directors there. Went to meet him a 2nd time with our floorplan as we didn't bring it the 1st time round. Wah. Service damn bad. Supposed to meet him in the morning at 10am. We turned up, but he didn't. Called him repeatedly, but no ans. Only in the late afternoon did we get an sms from him that he overslept. Didn't even bother to call. Wah. Nevermind, we set another appt with him. And he was late again. We were quite put off by the lack of professionalism. Although he apologised, I the damage was already done. He also didn't bother to contact us again for a follow up discussion & to give us a quote.
Ideal House: 1/5 $$$$$
Heard about Ideal House from renotalk. decided to check it out since we were nearby. Experience was not ideal la. An ID named Alton served us. He smelt of stale smoke, and pushed us the package & asked us if we wanted to sign on that day itself. Put off coz I don't think it's right for IDs to hardsell their services without showing what they can deliver 1st. Gave him the floorplan & budget. When we met him for follow up, the budget was busted by about 30%. Very pricy, with significantly 'contractor' feel. Not impressed.
Wea Design: 4/5 $$$
Along the same stretch as Love Home. Their pricing is extremely competitive, with very good package deals. They throw in ALOT of stuff: system 3 aircon, cooker hood & hob, kitchen sink & mixer, 2 toilet bowls, toilet sinks & mixers, shower, accessories & instant heaters. However, you have no choice as to the type of freebies you get. No 'upgrading'. They will reimburse you whatever you don't want from them. Their workmanship is also not bad, though I suspect you'll have to be a little anal with them, as they have a 'contractor' feel to them as well. ID was Apple. She seemed very sincere, but not too experienced. Had to check about the pricing of alot of items. Also, somehow their co name is not listed under the approved list of contractors! Spoke to Apple about it & she said that they're under a parent co that IS under the approved list. We decided to drop coz not comfortable with that, and coz we met another ID which we felt would be better.
Northwest Interior Design: 4/5 $$$
Went to Northwest coz they had some promo in the newspapers. Decided to check them out. Met with an ID called Mike. Quite a good impression of him. He could draw out mockups of what we wanted various cabinetry/layouts to look like off the bat. Seems quite experienced & could tell us based on our works what the estimated costs would go to based on his experience. Took us to a showflat his colleague was doing up to look at the carpentry. Not bad as well. The co also gives ALOT of freebies with their resale package, which look quite good: system 3 aircon, kitchen hob, hood, sink, mixer, 2 sets of toilet bowls, sink & taps, bath mixers, toilet accessories & a storage heater. You have a choice of a small range of each item & can even change/top up for more expensive items at their supplier's shop should you want to. Decided to go with them coz the price was reasonable and we have faith (hopefully not misplaced!) that the ID will be a good project manager. Will def. be taking lots of pics of the reno in progress!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
deferment granted!
whoohooo!
we're allowed to get married next year in mar 09!
thank you the powers that be in HDB!!!
we're allowed to get married next year in mar 09!
thank you the powers that be in HDB!!!
Monday, June 30, 2008
1st Appointment!
We just had our first appointment a few days ago. Went very fast! Took a queue number once we got there & waited for our numbers to be called. before we knew it, we signed our names, and prepared to have empty cpf accounts for the next few years. lol
We also have to pay up the COV amount to HDB within 7 days.... so a good portion of savings will be signed over soon! Plus the home reno and wedding expenses....*gasps for breath* starting a home is expensive business man!!
Oh! We also asked for deferment for our wedding- as we're only planning to get married next year in march. :) have booked our restaurent venue already, so hopefully hdb will give us the go ahead to defer.
On the bright side: We'll be getting our keys in the 1st-2nd week of Aug! Yay!! We're gonna have our first home soon!
We also have to pay up the COV amount to HDB within 7 days.... so a good portion of savings will be signed over soon! Plus the home reno and wedding expenses....*gasps for breath* starting a home is expensive business man!!
Oh! We also asked for deferment for our wedding- as we're only planning to get married next year in march. :) have booked our restaurent venue already, so hopefully hdb will give us the go ahead to defer.
On the bright side: We'll be getting our keys in the 1st-2nd week of Aug! Yay!! We're gonna have our first home soon!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Extra-reno costings
hello folks!
lol me & the bf have been spending the weekends trawling various shops etc to look at what extra-reno costs will be, so here's just a rough gauge to share with you guys- just so you'll get as horrified as me. *grin*
Appliances:
TV: $1700
cooker hob/ hood: $1000
Air con system 4: $4500
Fridge: $1000
Oven: $ 800
Washing Machine: $ 600
Vacuum cleaner: $ 200
Fan: $ 200
Instant Heater: $ 200
Airpot: $ 70
Rice Cooker: $ 90
Furniture
Curtains: $ 300
Dining Table: $ 800
Sofa: $1600
Bed Frame: $ 700
Matress: $1000
Bed sheets: $ 200
Study Table: $ 500
Coffee Table: $ 200
Working Chair: $ 200
Est. Grand Total: $15860
think i might pop by singapore pools to buy some hope ;)
lol me & the bf have been spending the weekends trawling various shops etc to look at what extra-reno costs will be, so here's just a rough gauge to share with you guys- just so you'll get as horrified as me. *grin*
Appliances:
TV: $1700
cooker hob/ hood: $1000
Air con system 4: $4500
Fridge: $1000
Oven: $ 800
Washing Machine: $ 600
Vacuum cleaner: $ 200
Fan: $ 200
Instant Heater: $ 200
Airpot: $ 70
Rice Cooker: $ 90
Furniture
Curtains: $ 300
Dining Table: $ 800
Sofa: $1600
Bed Frame: $ 700
Matress: $1000
Bed sheets: $ 200
Study Table: $ 500
Coffee Table: $ 200
Working Chair: $ 200
Est. Grand Total: $15860
think i might pop by singapore pools to buy some hope ;)
Monday, June 2, 2008
home reno sites!
here's a list of home reno sites to share
www.renotalk.com
this i think is the most popular reno forum in singapore. pretty good stuff. has ALOT of info on reno, though you really have to sift through it. Good thing is that there are many very friendly & active forummers who are happy to share their views should you put up a question/request for help.
www.apartmenttherapy.com
i luuurve this site for the ideas they give. just looking through this site lets you get loads of inspiration for what you want your home to look like. plust it focusses on apartments- perfect for the hdb dweller!
www.bhg.com
better homes & gardens website. lots of nice pics with good ideas too! lots and lots and lots of info & pics! :) i likey.
http://trendsideas.com
another online mag of sorts with a whole load of pics of beautifully renovated & constructed homes. what i like is that they have a seperation of different parts of the home that you can look at- kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms etc.
www.homeanddecor.com.sg
the website for home & deco magazine. has alot of pics & info on IDs, etc. definitely useful and very easy to navigate!
www.myhappyhouse.com.sg
this website has an online reno/deco magazine which i think they produce every month. Singapore centric, so it'll have useful info.
www.livingpod.com
another website with really nice pics of renovated homes. it focusses more on architecture & really good design though. drool worthy pics.
www.renotalk.com
this i think is the most popular reno forum in singapore. pretty good stuff. has ALOT of info on reno, though you really have to sift through it. Good thing is that there are many very friendly & active forummers who are happy to share their views should you put up a question/request for help.
www.apartmenttherapy.com
i luuurve this site for the ideas they give. just looking through this site lets you get loads of inspiration for what you want your home to look like. plust it focusses on apartments- perfect for the hdb dweller!
www.bhg.com
better homes & gardens website. lots of nice pics with good ideas too! lots and lots and lots of info & pics! :) i likey.
http://trendsideas.com
another online mag of sorts with a whole load of pics of beautifully renovated & constructed homes. what i like is that they have a seperation of different parts of the home that you can look at- kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms etc.
www.homeanddecor.com.sg
the website for home & deco magazine. has alot of pics & info on IDs, etc. definitely useful and very easy to navigate!
www.myhappyhouse.com.sg
this website has an online reno/deco magazine which i think they produce every month. Singapore centric, so it'll have useful info.
www.livingpod.com
another website with really nice pics of renovated homes. it focusses more on architecture & really good design though. drool worthy pics.
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