Smashing

Whoa... Finally back from NYC and suffering a little from jet lag as I write this blog. Just touched down this morning and we are going to chose our sinks and toilets later in the sweltering hot afternoon.

I gave the worksite a visit and found all the walls all smashed up and good to go. A few problems I realised though, was that the toilet floors weren't hacked up completely. (a 100mm drop became 50mm) Will have to get the men to give the floor one more whack before we start the rest of the water-proofing, tiling and what-nots.

Meanwhile, our ID completed the next few 3D drawings and I've uploaded them here.

New Keys and Starting Work

Okay. We've finally gotten hold of the keys after a somewhat disappointing HDB 2nd appointment. Our PoA was late, and we had a really ugly old grouch (male) as the executive charged with handling the case. Anywayz, we've got the keys and that's that.

Our mums were there the same evening, doing what all superstitious mothers do. It was freaking warm and humid these days but we had to endure the heat as they proceeded with the "拜拜". They were happy, but I hope I didn't scare my neighbours (obviously not Chinese folk). LOL.

Our he-who-shall-not-be-named ID is looking to start work soon...once we get a PE to certify we can destroy half the apartment... This part is a pain, as our work will be slightly delayed due to all the paper work to be done. On the bright, our marble tiles are already on the way to sunny Singapore! (Let's hope it looks really nice)

Been sent to NYK for a biz trip for the whole of next week, so my dear wife will be handling the supervision of our ID and the renovation for the first week. I should be back just when the house gets a proper knocking and ready for the tiling work.

And finally, a picture of our keys...


Our journey of a thousand miles starts with this first step.
(maybe its just 2km from where I currently live.. will check google maps next time)

Pen to Paper

Finally, we put the pen to paper after 4 months of negotiation! After 3 months since starting the blog, we have decided to contract Earnest Interiors to build our new place.

Went to select the tiles floor tiles with our ID today and decided on having Volacas Marble for our living room and a variety of homogeneous tiles for the bathrooms, kitchen (if you call it one), yard and utility room. Bedrooms had already been decided as parquet, and the old balcony would be decked up with my wife's favourite Chengai wood. With flooring finally decided, and only 10 days to key collection, we are getting really hyped up!

The first of our 3D drawings has been posted and more photos coming as we chug along.

Lets get it on.

Almost there to starting work

Here we go. The renovation permit has been submitted and we are awaiting approval from HDB due next week. Our ID (to be announced once we pen the deal) has given us, probably the second last quotation. (The Corian top is a bit ex...) We've also been shown the first 3D drawing, though not to our expectations so we aren't showing it here. Yet.

Next up, we are now checking up the prices of the living room flooring and praying hard that I don't burn too big a hole in my pockets! The expected start date is now only 2 weeks away! Getting a little excited, lets hope it all goes smoothly as planned.

Ending the planning phase

Alrighty. March was a supremely disappointing month with the sickening announcement of a 8 week lag before the handover of the keys. Biz trips, chores and other stuff kept the two of us pretty much stuffed that we didn't have much time for planning our new home.

Thankfully March ended relatively fast.

Anyway, we've finalized our ID and hope this turns out to be a great piece of work for both him and us. All that's left is to receive the finally quotation, get the new owners to sign the indemnity form, and the renovation approval will be under way. 03 May is hand over and 04 May will be the start date. Lets get it on!!

...Stand Tall and Shake the Heavens...

March - Starting work after Chinese New Year

OK, we are now down to the last two designers and will probably confirm the final name within the next week or so. HDB appointment is coming right up and the two of us are super excited. Watch this space, as the final layout / space plan will be uploaded shortly.

The First Corner - Finding the right designer

All sorts of personalities, all sorts of designs, all sorts of prices.

We've finally gotten all our quotes, and have closed down to 3 IDs. Its been a pretty long journey already, but we're not even half way there. We'll be taking a short break for CNY, just like the IDs out there, and the final decision will be made shortly after that. Quite exciting really. :)

I've updated a picture I drew for the living room. (Yes my wife is out again... I wonder why I not the one out to work most of the time.)