4 March 2010

When I visited the place before CNY, all the walls in the kitchen, living room, dining room, toilets and the small bedroom downstairs were all hacked away. There was also a big pile of sand in the middle of the living room.

After CNY, work has started on 22 February 2010. They started to tile up the kitchen and toilet first. I wasn't too happy with the kitchen wall tiles as the gaps were not even and some of them have seriously wide and obvious gaps. Michael said that the tiles were not cut properly, resulting in uneven lengths for the tiles.

When I was in Malaysia, Ah Wan told me that he will come in to grind the parquet before the carpentry is done. After that, he would come another time to polish it.

Just a few days ago, wife and I chose the laminates for the wardrobe and the kitchen cabinet. We have not chosen the laminates to use for the TV console, vanity table in the MBR and the toilet cabinet.

Wardrobe in MBR= Cream color surround using laminate with dark brown veneer doors

Wardrobe in bedroom 1= Cream color surround with dark brown laminate

Kitchen cabinet= Dark brown solid top with glossy cream color laminates. Handles brushed aluminium

The pebble wash in the 2 toilets upstairs were chosen by wife. She chose the pebbles that are a little yellowish in color.

When I went over there with Michael and the electrician two weeks ago, I think the cost of electricity wiring will cost at least $3k already.

Now, I am not so sure whether the end cost can adhere to the allocated budget of $50k.

22 January 2010 - Shopping Day Part 2

Michael came and picked us up about 12.15pm. I went to HQ for CLC meeting in the morning. We went to eat beef noodles first at Laguna Park condo. Not bad. After that we went to Richfield at Simei to choose wallpaper. Another case of choosing until eye pop out. So many choices so I left it to wife to choose. At least I don't need to crack my brain. She chose a bright brown color piece.

I went to Simei mrt to pick up a Apha 230 body for $400.

Next, we went to Changi Expo. Gain City is having a sale there and they are giving away free 5 year warranty with purchase. We bought a LG system 4 (1 x 12000, 3 x 9000)for $3599 and paid another $450 for the servicing contract for two years. We also bought a EF hob and hood for $750.

We proceeded to the EM to discuss further. Went back around 6.30pm.

I told Michael that 26 January would be a good day to start work and to aim to finish by 25 March 2010.

13 January 2010 - Shopping Day

Michael came to fetch us at 11am. We went to the lighting shop first. It is along Geylang road andat the junction of Still Road. Small shop but the owner is very friendly. He takes the initiative to give us advice also. Because of the unique nature of the pitched roof, he wasn't sure about whether ceiling mounted fans will be permissible by HDB. Michael would arrange with him to go for site inspection with his technician. I saw one kerosene lamp light that resembles the old school kerosene lamp. It retails for >$200. I wonder if a real one would cost that much. Probably less than $100. I think it would look cool in my bathroom or balcony.

Next, we went to the tile shop. It is just across the road. Very big shop. Choose until eyes pop out. We decided to go with the following:

Living room, dining room and study: Matte light beige color homogeneous tiles

Kitchen: Medium brown tiles

Toilet downstairs and common toilet upstairs: Beige and brown tiles combo

MBR toilet: Slate feature wall for rainshower and beige wall tiles

We have decided to emulate the cement screed flooring that we saw in Michael's home as it is easy to maintain, not slippery and also economical. We would do this for all three toilets. We would probably use the old style wooden door as seen in Michael's house as well. We all copycat the good stuff. Haha......

After a late lunch at Fei Fei wanton noodles, we went to get our toilet stuff. Michael took us to a shop along Jalan Besar but I requested to go to Genova. We bought about $2,300 of stuff there. Most of the stuff we bought were similar to those used in our existing house.

2nd Appointment - Collection of keys to EM

On 12 Jan 2010, we went to HDB for the 2nd appt for the completion of our Pasir Ris EM. We reached there around 3.30pm. The process was over in 30 mins. Joseph took us to the EM for an inspection. We discovered that the wooden bedroom door had been forced open and the door was damaged beyond repair. We will need a new door.

Naturally, both of us were very happy as we are now the proud owners of an EM. After we came out of the flat, it rained cats and dogs. Good omen. Water = fortune.

1st Apointment with HDB

Today, wife and I went to HDB Hub at Toa Payoh at 10.30am for our first appointment. Finally, after two months of wait. We walked out $15k lighter as we had to pay upfront cash for the COV. We signed so many times that my signature was going haywired.

The 2nd and final appointment would be around 12 January 2010. Hurray, finally I am going to get the keys in the middle of next month and start renovation. Now, I need to go evaluate the renovation quotes and decide which contractor I am going to use.

Floorplan of my maisonette

My flat sold!

Yesterday, the buyer came over with his wife and we had a chat for two hours. The flat was sold for $350k. He left a $1k deposit and will come up with the $4k when someone puts a deposit down for his flat. We will give the leather sofa to him as we can't move it out of the house unless we dismantle three of the wooden beams at the doors. Finally, done deal.

Our first appointment with HDB for the flat we purchased in Pasir Ris is on 1 Dec 2009 at 10.30am. We will need to come up with $20k to pay HDB.