Hi guys,

I have over 14 years of experience in this industry, including 9+ years as main contractors for high-rise and commercial projects and 5 years in renovations.

Just wish to share some insights that u should consider for your future renovation:

1. Prioritize a layout that maximizes functionality and comfort for all family members.
2. Indoor space looks much better with natural light. Optimize natural light through windows, sliding door or skylight.
3. Plan for cross-ventilation to keep the indoors airy and reduce the need for air conditioning.
4. Engage an architect for remodelling works if your budget allows (e.g., jobs over RM500k). An architect's design focuses not only on aesthetics but also on factors like sunlight, natural ventilation, and comfort.
5. Use multi-point locks on windows for better sound insulation and airtightness.
6. For landed houses, roof insulation is critical—it makes day and night difference, especially in a hot afternoon
7. Consider multi-purpose spaces that can adapt to future needs. Use dry wall partition boards for easy alterations in future.
8. If elderly family members live with you, design spaces to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers.
9. Insist on British Standard (BS) rebar/reinforcement for all structural works.
10. Ensure structural slabs exposed to weather have two layers of reinforcement (top and bottom) to reduce cracking.

11. Good foundations are important, make sure to do proper footing or even piling. You don't want your house to have settlement problem.
12. Plan for sufficient or extra number of power outlets. Its always good to have extra power outlet.
13. Incorporating minimal smart home features for your house will drastically make your life better. eg: automatic car park light, automatic pump control
14. Make sure to have proper grounding for your electric circuit.
15. For plumbing works, go for PPR piping when possible and make sure contractor to do pressure test
16. For those who are married, in your master bathroom, it's always good to have double basin design.
17. For switches, you may wanna consider 1.2m height instead of the usual 1.5m height. 1.2m height is more friendly for kids and those using wheelchair
18. Plan for drop at shower area and install a shower screen. It keeps your bathroom dry and fresh.
19. Allow extra storage space and cabinets in your home. You usually will need more than you expected.
20. Allow EV charger point for your landed house to future proof your house.

21. Consider providing solar cable conduit for your landed house, in case you wanna install solar power system in the future.
22. Avoid melamine cabinet at all cost for wet area like kitchens or outdoor. Moisture alone will make your cabinet spoils after a few years despite of cabinet maker claims. Use plywood cabinet or alumium cabinet instead.
23. Ensure all bathroom has natural ventilation or mechanical ventilation.
24. Plan ahead so you can hide all your TV , sound system, Astro, Unifi , TV box cables
25. Consider using smart switches, it is really affordable nowadays. And you can use smart switch with or without neutral.
26. Consider using granite sink if budget allows, you won't have rust issue and its extremely durable.
27. An undermount sink is easy to clean. But it is extremely difficult to replace or change.
28. Installing pump above ceiling can be very noisy. Make sure to provide a proper platform and if possible, not directly sitting on the roof truss to reduce vibration. There is also one additional step to make your pump operation more silent, anyone interested to know ?
29. Install a power outlet near your bathroom counter—you’ll thank me later.
30. Plan a dedicated charging station area for robot vacuum, which is very common these days

31. Avoid following trends—stick to simple, minimalistic designs that don’t go out of style.
32. Consider using smart toilet, e.g: japanese style WC with automatic bidet
33. Plan for ample power outlet in your kitchen. You will never have enough as nowadays you have rice cooker, kettle, thermomix, microwave etc.
34. A few lines of hairline cracks for brickworks or plastering is normal due to the nature of cement product. Usually it is can be repaired.
35. Plan for 2-way switch where you deem it necessary, eg: master bedroom where you can easily turn off light before going to sleep. aka hotel style
36. For RC flat roof, make sure it is cast with a bit gradient so that water will not stay stagnant.


and I will keep posting more if you guys re interested. And ask me anything.

Some of our previous work for inspiration.







P/S: Hope mod don't delete my post this round. My previous post got deleted.

Well, the forum rules state no advertising and no solicitations. Isn't this what you are doing with your post?

This post has been edited by stormer.lyn: Dec 9 2024, 09:40 PM

thannks. hope this time it's ok. 😓
it will be a continuous updates , and i will complement the tips with actual photo when i have time

This post has been edited by littleants: Dec 9 2024, 09:48 PM

whats the current method for kitchen counter top edge finishing?

Thanks for the comprehensive insights. These 36 points are relevant and good advice.

Just share a bit more on my thought,

20. Allow EV charger point for your landed house to future proof your house.
Indeed, this is important. Also need to consider 3-phase power socket/point because there are two types of chargers i.e. single phase and 3-phase. The 3-phase can charge faster. My incoming power is 3-phase supply but the socket I reserved for EV charger is only single phase as I was not aware of the 3-phase charger.

22. Avoid melamine cabinet at all cost for wet area like kitchens or outdoor. Moisture alone will make your cabinet spoils after a few years despite of cabinet maker claims. Use plywood cabinet or alumium cabinet instead.
Plywood and aluminium are expensive. So, my supplier suggested PVC carcass for areas below the sink. However, PVC carcass has a tear-and-wear problem and cannot take heavy load if drawers are used. Alternative is to have stainless steel carcass, but this results color mismatch.

I assumed you were referring to kitchen counter tops using concrete top and tiles?

1. For edge finishing, you can opt for the traditional way - a slightly rounded edge.
The key tip is to use homogeneous tiles. This way, the countertop will maintain a consistent colour tone throughout, when your tiler trims the tile edge to create a half-round finish.

Sample effect:


2. Alternatively, you can opt for 45-degree aka mitre edge cut on tiles to achieve a seamless edging. But to achieve a perfect mitre edge is not easy, hard to get local sifu who will be able to do it.
Local practice, usually only able to achieve a bird-beak effect.

Seamless 45-degree edging:


bird beak:

yes, cos i saw 60x60 tiles all not homogenous, so wondering how to do the table edge; so have to look for homogenous tiles for rounded edge

Should take consider on Surveillance and Security System too.
Plan the system properly during design and renovation.

Also, home networking, like LAN Cable, Fibre, WIFI, etc..

This post has been edited by idealhometech: Jan 7 2025, 05:49 PM