Since we are on the topic of renovation, you all should check out the Bina Warehouse 40th anniversary sale near Jalan Templer PJ. It ends this Sunday.

They got some good bargains on Italian brands for bathrooms and kitchens stuff. Apparently, I found out that some italian and german brands have already relocated to China so the quality is not exactly the same anymore. They stock brands like Duravit, Hansgrohe and Foster.

They still have stock of the non-China made ones though. Got my Foster Sink, and Hansgrohe Faucets and Showers.

I also finally realised that Grohe which common is actually the ciplak version of Hansgrohe. Patutlaa the price difference and the funny looks I got when I asked.

Also CIMA lighting on the same road is having a warehouse sale. I got my security lights there. Its Philips but really cheap.

Habis la duit aku....double whammy - Raya and Renovation

The contractor quoted me about RM48K for the following:

1. Break down the wall between the wet n dry kitchen.

2. Brick up the dry kitchen/planter box area with roofing and re-tile.

3. Tile the drying area courtyard and add 2ft of bricks on the back brick fence.

4. Add a polycarbonate pergola to the end of the brick fence at the back.

5. Add grill between the 7ft brick fence and pergola at the drying area.

6. Add a table top for the wet kitchen stove and sink.

7. Remove the metal thingie on the fence and brick up all round front, side and back of the house.

8. Add a polycarbonate pergola from the 1st floor to cover the courtyard garden facing the water feature

8. Remove the grass at the middle courtyard and replace with stone slabs intertwined with grass.

9. White grill with basic 8mm flat horizontal steel plates all around.

10. Break the wall (door size) to join the master bedroom with the adjoining room.

Since its an end lot, more has to be spent on fencing and grills on windows.

This would be more on the kitchen reno and once the infra is up-then we have to decide on the cabinets etc.


This would be Phase 1. Next phase will be subject to additional funds in the kitty

We are not in a hurry to move in so the house will be done in stages. Target date of actual movement would be earliest July 2013 before raya kot..

This is because of schooling issues for the kid and also I'm just so used to the amenities close by in TTDI. Latest would when the shops are ready in DA.

1. Brick up the dry kitchen/planter box area with roofing and re-tile. - Tile type? Similar white tiles like the dining room. But I need to make sure that he doesn't use the 2nd grade ones.

3. Tile the drying area courtyard and add 2ft of bricks on the back brick fence. - Tile type? El Cheapo terracotta tiles

4. Add a polycarbonate pergola to the end of the brick fence at the back. - Polycarbonate Type? Shallow or Thick? Thickness? Not the hollow type but i cant remember the thickness.

5. Add grill between the 7ft brick fence and pergola at the drying area. - Grille Type? I'm actually thinking of recycling the thick metal bars from the planter box grill and the side fences. Its such a waste to throw it. More ever, its at the back anyway.

6. Add a table top for the wet kitchen stove and sink. - Granite? Haven't decided yet but if I opt for it, I need to firm up the price.

Really? OK then. I will need to do more homework before finalising the pricing with him.

Thanks man!

He wrote an loooong quotation in Doctors handwriting so I couldn't really figure it out. Once I get the keys I will see him again to go into detail of every work with a final price and my own tape measure.

Then I will update here. If the price is steep then I will tell him drop it or else no go.

My dude is called Desmond.

I got an el cheapo plan for the railess balcony.

I'm gonna just put 2 stainless steel pillars approximately 2.5ft at then corners and connect it with 3 tensioned steel cables like they do on the yachts. Its barely visible and safe enough for me to do some gardening without wearing a safetly harness

Something like this but with lesser cables.

---

Added on September 8, 2012, 9:52 amUnfortunately, at this time and age, grills though ugly, is a necessity especially at the rear and sides windows.

I think a min of 8mm bars or solid core bars with reinforced hinges to the concrete frame would deter the thief enough even if he climbs up the back roof.

With noise that he is going to create to cut it, it would wake up the whole neighbourhood. Add motion sensor lights at the back as well.

Then again, this is where neighbourhood vigilance is important. If your neighbours just buat bodoh even with the raquet going on, then susah la.

Lets make FL a good neighbourhood to live in.

This post has been edited by Riz Quattro: Sep 8 2012, 09:52 AM

Folks,

I took my key yesterday evening and had a looooong chat with the main-con who is stationed there.

This is what I found out:

1. The rainwater havesting system is actually crappy and totally a waste of time.

It supplies rainwater to the maidroom WC, Ground floor Guest room WC, Garbage box tap and outdoor garden tap. However, the eco efficiency is very minimal. Its only about RM10/15 ringgit savings but this excludes the power to run the pump so actually, its no big difference in cost savings.

HOWEVER, the good news is that he has recommended that you:

1. Ditch the whole system and use the expensive and powerful 1HP Australian Brand Pump (it cost 4K!) supplied for your upstairs main tank instead.

Voila! No need to buy Grunfos or Ebara pump!

2. Relocate the water filter to the front water main and voila! No need to buy an extra water filter for the whole house!

With slight modification on your pipes, all the the WC which is dependent on the RWHS can be re- routed.

So I have just saved you at least 5.5k

Yup, the pump is with them until we request them to install it due to security reasons. It's a thief's target since it it outside upstairs at the RWHS.

Correct. We have to be realistic and manage our expectations la.

I'm staying in TTDI and when I used to work in KLCC area, it even took me 1.5 freakin hours on the road to get to work. So no more working KL/PJ area.

Its either you move nearer to your office or find an office nearer to you. It takes out the stress of staying stuck in jams everyday.

Or just work from home.

My FL neighbour with the intermediate unit on my row did mention that he is looking for offers on the house.

The intermediate is 22 x 100 plus 5 feet at the back. But he's looking at around 900k++.

Built up I'm not sure but my end lot is about 3450sft (26x100 + 5 ft on the side and back) so I guess the intermediate built up should be around 2800 sft.

This post has been edited by Riz Quattro: Sep 25 2012, 04:55 PM

Not yet, bro.

I'm still trying find time to meet up but I've been in East Malaysia most of the time.

Once, I do I will inform you.

It's gonna take some time for DA to be fully developed but I guess you need to make some adjustments and sacrifices along the way.

I'm based in KLIA while the missus is based in SG. However, 80% of my worktime time is spent at other airports domestically while the missus about 40% in SG.

So when we move to DA, we need to arrange our time to send our kid to Tmn Tun for school every morning but I guess we have to live it until a good school springs up in DA.

It just takes proper planning. I don't miss working in KLCC and sitting in jams and now Tmn Tun is getting really bad so there is actually no more idea work-home situation anymore.

Problem is 80% of the traffic is not from Tmn Tun residents. Outsiders are using it as a bypass. So we get unnecessary jams, idiots driving fast and bad roads. It is now a hazard for Pedestrians not to mention those who double and triple park near the shops not to mention in front of our houses. With high traffic also comes high littering and rubbish.

Bad hats are also taking advantage of the multiple exits and playing cat and mouse with the cops who can't be around our houses at all times.

Tmn Tun has lost its charm as a peaceful and civilised neighbourhood and it will never be the same as yesteryear.

The interior original paint is the el cheapo Nippon Matex. I suggest you also look at Jotun besides ICI as they have more colour mixtures. I've had good past experience with it. Its better to source it yourself and just pay him for the upah.

Unfortunately, I haven't managed to get any traction on anything yet as due to work travel. I bet Desmond from territory construction approached you as well? I would recommend trhat you get the main con to do the piping as they have all the house drawings and plans.

[quote=ganee,Oct 24 2012, 08:10 PM]
Actually no, but I did see his signage at one of the houses, maybe 71 or 72. I get persistent abuse from stilux, yi seng and kb.

Oh really? Well he must of got more houses then. I gave him a 500 deposit to hang the signboard and the only good thing is that no one bothers me anymore. Maybe I'll start the reno works in Dec after rectifying the defects. Only issue is some warped floor pieces upstairs. Only problem is just that I'm short of time for supervision.

Guys,

You need to stop this forum from being used by salesmen to peddle their business. Or else, it will lose credibility and real owners will get turned off.