Renovation cost

looking back at what i have spent on my new 4 RM HDB house..
basically the basic renovation(highlighted in red) is about 7.5k...
didn't take up any renovation package due to the fact that i would like to DIY many things...
i dont really see the need for the false ceiling as it will make my small 4RM HDB even smaller!
i dont like to have downlight..even though people will say its LED!
But please be reminded that electricity bill calculation is based on the wattage consumed by those lights. so imagine one downlight is 5-8 W, 10 downlight is 50- 80W! you might as well install the old fluorescent light, right?
My lights are also LED, but its those surface mount type, 18W.

i painted the whole house myself as i would like to have the best paint...and cost saving is about 1K plus...the only tedious part is to burn a few weekends just for painting..but i enjoyed doing it!


I only have the kitchen cabinet for one side...the other side is left for fridge and a small dinning table...because i still find it kinda weird to eat in the living room! and without the dinning table at the living room, trust me, your 4RM HDB will look super big! Those cabinet are supported by legs... i never do any cemented platform for those kitchen cabinets as i personally find it very ugly...

So how to eat if you have guests coming?
fret not! i have DIY a wall mounted table! big enough for 6 ppl.
Best part is when you are not using it, it will be there, like an art piece.....even though i would like to make it more like a chinese painting..but no time...so the end result is like this...

Renov
Aircon sys 3	2289
bifold door x 02	320
solid veneer door x 03	963
windows & grilles	1200
laminate floor	2110
kitchen cabinet	3550
built in MBR wardrobe	1320
painting	362
whole house Lighting	530
kitchen sink	440
03 x ceiling fan with light	927
Toilet MBR accessories	106.4
washing machine/ dryer	1099
hood/hob/oven/microwave	1636
storage bed/ en en bed/sofa	1992
shoe storage and black board	79.8
Trones boxes x 03	149.7
tv console/ kid wardrobe	581.9
550L fridge	1079
curtain	179.8
common toilet accessories	178
rice cooker	169
electric kettle	9
kitchen tap	41
lock bracket	16
store rm rack	180
kitchen acessories/plates	404
steam mop	94.4
philips tv 42 inch w android box	639
LG robot vaccum	599
lock	65
mirror	80
Total	23389

Ikea trones boxes hack

Living in a 4room HDB....you can either hire a Carpenter to make a space consuming shoes cabinet , or you can buy the ikea trones boxes and install it behide your door, the space which you probably wont be using it...and cost for 9 trones boxes = SGD$150....

DIY shower kerb

Been resisting the idea of having a cement shower kerb so as not to have a potential trip hazard in my bathrooms. As i have a 2 yrs old daughter,  i would want to make my home as kid safe as possible.
And i would like to have it "removable" as well...to prepare for old age....

So i head down to the acrylic shop to make 2 strips of the thickest acrylic that i can find...cut to size...glue it with liquid nail....sealed it with sealant...and here is the end results.....
And to further safe proof it, of course, we will be using shower curtains for both of our bathrooms....

how to make full use of the circuit breaker cabinet?

Managed to fix 3 ikea trones boxes into this circuit breaker cabinet....now can put shoes liao without the need to extend the whole cabinet out, makin the area smaller.....diy cost: 4 pcs custom made mirrors = $72...3 ikea trones boxes=$49.90...liquid nail = $8.....

HDB smooth floor rendering / cement screeding

For those having HDB BTO standard(without floor and doors) and would like to have their unit in laminate flooring, you can request HDB to cement screed your floor for free. depends on their schedule, normally 2-4 weeks.
Just download the form, fill up which rooms to pour the cement and submit to your area HDB branch.

http://www.hdb.gov.sg/isoa072p.nsf/13e54556eccc2e7a482570610006eb1c/5bb827f254ddb030482579fb004a7a6f/$FILE/Smooth%20Floor%20Rendering%20Form%20v5%20-%20update.pdf

Contractor will call you before they start work. You can just tell them which type of laminate that you will be using, 8mm or 12mm ? incase for vinyl flooring, it will be in 3mm , 5mm or 6 to 9mm.
They should know how to gauge the floor height then.

Advisable to give padlock key instead of the keys for gate and main door.
Optionally, you can go down and open the door for them.


**W.E.F 15 OCT 2014, HDB will stop providing free smooth floor rendering service.
Kindly refer to the below link:

http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10223p.nsf/w/RenoCircular20141510?OpenDocument

Mago Sin excel laminate testing

Took few pieces of Excel Laminate Flooring from Mago Sin. Will be doing water swelling test and scratch test on these samples.

Below is the s$2.80psf Laminate that i want. But not in this color.

Stay tune......

Update! :

Do not buy from Mago Sin flooring. Tried calling the boss to send people to come my house to repair my "bloated" laminate, and what he (Richard) said was busy busy and busy..called him many times and he could not give me a date to fix the problem!......luckily, i know how to repair myself.
For those of you not familiar with any tools..my advise. do not buy from Mago Sin. you will regret!


buy at your own risk!

Midea Air conditioner installation day

Installation took about 5 hours. GC Workmanship not bad.

bedroom 1

 master bedroom

 Aircon ledge, side view of the compressor

 Aircon ledge, top view of the compressor

Master bedroom toilet, trunking 

 Master bedroom toilet, piping for aircon drain

 bed room 2

remote controls

If you fill up the feedback form online, installation warranty will be extended to 3 years!

Conclusion:  power up and tested, cool & quiet...as good as last time. :)

last but not least, received the $200 GC voucher today!