Hi guys!

My N'Dira townhouse in 16 Sierra has just received the CCC yesterday and I am now waiting for my bank to disburse the final payment to the developer before I can collect my keys, likely to be after Raya.

Just starting a log of my renovation journey with the optimistic aim of completing renovation by September 2018 and hopefully ready to move in by October 2018.

Brief Summary:
3 Storey Townhouse with Built-up Area of 2540sf
Corner Upper Unit
3 Bedrooms
3 Bedroom Bathrooms
1 Living Room Bathroom
Balcony
Home Alarm System
All-in Budget Inclusive of Furniture: RM150k

Budget may be tight but will try and achieve mid-high end finishing with this budget via the following:
1. Will not use a Main Contractor and instead manage all the individual sub-trades myself
2. Access to significantly cheaper furniture via connections with friends in furniture export industry
3. Purchases of appliances, etc online to minimise cost and maximise value
4. May DIY some items i.e. DIY feature wall using brick veneers to save some money

Have been using the empty showhouse since March 2018 to do my planning, measuring etc so that I can get a few things ready before the keys are officially handed over to me.

The following has been secured over the past few months prior to receiving the keys to my new home:
1. Kitchen cabinets (without countertop) and built-in cabinets for bedrooms by Legend Kitchen
2. 8mm laminate + vinyl flooring (for kitchen area) by Robina
3. Various kitchen appliances on sale i.e. hood, hob, oven by Bosch

Renovation Scope of Work:
1. Addition of power points
2. Minor hacking + plumbing to relocate sink in kitchen
3. Plaster ceiling
4. Wiring for lighting etc
5. Laminate + vinyl flooring
6. Kitchen cabinet + island
7. Built-in cabinets
8. Air-cond installation
9. Painting
10. Shower screen + mirrors
11. Feature wall

Simple ID is ongoing now by Legend Kitchen (only for areas that they are building in cabinets) based on measurements taken from the showhouse. Actual dimensions will be reconfirmed after getting my keys.

Upcoming Tasks:
1. Collect keys
2. Check for defects + rectification by developer
3. Confirm lights and additional electrical points as this will be one of the earlier activities
4. Confirm water heater
5. Confirm air-cond sizing, total 5 units required
6. Book marble top for kitchen counter + island as Legend Kitchen does not have marble as an option

Sorry a bit unstructured at the moment but will improve as I go along. Wish me luck!

Best to install a Solar Hot Water System instead of using individual Shower Heater. You will save more in the long run and if you take long hot shower, you will be guaranteed of continuous hot water.
Also do consider to install a (at least 1000L) spare S/S tank and water pump.
Do consider to upsize your A/C units.

This post has been edited by brutus: Jun 8 2018, 04:14 PM

Was thinking of getting electrical storage water heaters. Also considering a water pump but have to see if it fits into my budget...

A/C units I am planning to get all non-inverters with exception of maybe the master bedroom. Upsize as in intentionally choose a slightly higher HP unit than necessary?

you're positively sure to use marble as your table and island top? marble or granite top are porous in nature and may stain/have watermarks if you dont take care it correctly. Sometimes certain marble you cant put a hot plate due to the fragile characteristic of the stone.


cheers mate'
izwan
www.klarchid.blogpsot.com

Yeah we did a lot of extensive research before making this decision. We are prepared to live with the difficulties of a marble countertop.

Just realised today that I overlooked something for the renovation while researching water heaters.

Suspect that there is no hot water piping to the bedroom bathrooms so may have to hack and install piping and do some tiling sigh. Another unforeseen cost...

I'm also 1 of the owner (lower unit)
Nice sharing and will follow your log

This post has been edited by Mr. Najib Razak: Jun 9 2018, 11:01 PM

Solar Hot Water Storage offers the best energy consumption vs usage if it is allowed to install at your new home. I also piped it into my kitchen to utilize hot water to clean my plates since it is "free"... . Those long hot shower water after a long days' work is really satisfying without the fear of over paying TNB for it.
You will need to budget additional $$ for hot water piping system as most homes does not come with it.

For A/C you may install all pipings to be Inverter ready. The only install the unit where you will use it where budget is tight. Only install the unit later when budget allows. Eg, install all inverter ready pipings, then install the unit at Master Bedroom and Living Room area only. The rest of the rooms can be installed later when funds allow.

Yes, the upsize is choosing the next available HP unit.

This post has been edited by brutus: Jun 10 2018, 08:16 AM

Solar water heater will cost roughly about RM20k with installation included. That's pretty expensive I would say. Besides, we won't be spending a very long time in the shower anyway. If me, I will go for individual electric heater. RM1k can settle 3 bath rooms.

You must also look into your developer's supplied Distribution Board (DB). Most if not all are bundled with less than ideal components. The DB is the first thing I throw away when I start my renovations.

Just FYI, my DB now consists of 3 Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCB). 1 for power, 1 for lighting and another for my Solar Hot Water system.

Wow, where you got this quote?
The system itself is about 4-6K and piping for individual location depending on the piping used is between 1.0-1.5K.

Sure? If it's really cost that amount, then no harm installing it.

I was informed of RM20k when my friend installed his. Cost included everything so i thought roughly all solar water heater will cost around there.

You can check out SolarMate. The rest of the cost is depending on the shower rose set that you chose. Basic rain shower set starts from RM 600 to a few Ks per bathroom.
Usually the master bathroom set is the more elaborate design and the rest of the bathrooms will just be the basic sets.
Go check it out SolarMate

A good water pump like Grundfos cost around 2k to 3k with installation. I had mine since 2013 and it is still running well.

a. Hot Water

An alternative to solar water heater or instant hot water heater is a storage water heater.

68L is around RM900+ and can be used to pipe to the different toilets around the house (still need copper piping). Previously my instant water heater keeps dying (e.g. pump died, hot water getting less hot due to heater element) then decided to swap to a storage water heater. Best decision ever, should have done it in the beginning.

Brands such as Joven, HydroOne, SolarTech all carry this.

b. LAN cabling
If you are doing wiring, you might want to consider adding CAT6e LAN cabling from where your Unifi modem will be to other parts of the house. This is to futureproof when your Access Point can't reach the higher floors.

Thanks for all the tips guys.

Just bought a granite Elleci sink from @zheilwane at clearance price over the weekend so at least that is another item that is settled.

Another dilemma that I am having is whether or not to go with recessed eyeball LED downlights only (for nicer effect) vs combination of downlights + eyeballs.

Of course there will be pendants (i.e. for the island) and lamps here and there but for the ceiling lighting should I go for a pure eyeball arrangement or mix and match with downlights + eyeballs.

P.S. my theme will be Scandinavian

nice, appreciate if you can add some pictures, gluck for your renovation, just done mine 8months ago, many headache heartache but the result is satisfying

Hello Neighbour !
I bought the same, middle upper unit.
Can't wait to move in and start minor renovation.

For me, i will go for basic renovation. Im thinking to change the times to laminated flooring but still depend the costing.
I prefer MUJI / minimalist concept.

Anyway, all the best to your renovation journey and looking forward to your end result

any reason u chose granite sink over stainless steel?

Hello neighbour! When do you intend to move in?

Just like the look of it vs a stainless steel sink. Initially wanted to go for a farmhouse fireclay or copper sink but the cost was too high...