What do you wish you knew before starting a HDB reno?

Gioenne Rapisarda

7 years ago

Whether it's the time it would take, the order to do things, or even costs - would love to hear your advice!

4-Room HDB - Punggol Walk · More Info

Sort by:Oldest

Comment (1)

Amuro Elaine
7 years ago
Layout of the place!
Related Discussions
Reno - what are the steps?
Q
Comments (6)
First thing you need to understand is the scope of the project and what your abilities and experience will cover. Do you have any experience managing a construction project? Have you ever scheduled a construction project? Have you drawn up a trades (i.e. framing, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, etc., etc..) contract? Have you ever dealt with the permitting office in pulling permits? Have you ever inspected any construction for quality and compliance to the design documents? Have you ever dealt with inspections or construction deficiencies and had to resolve them with the sub-contractors? If you can't answer yes to all these questions, then you're venturing into a field you know little or nothing about. Any mistakes or stumbles you make in your learning curve are most likely going to be costly in both time and your budget. There are some projects that are DIY level.......there are some that would best be left to those of us already having the background and experience. Let me give you an example. I have an oak tree beside the house I'm renovating. It sits about 12' from the end of the house and has at least a 30' radius drip line which means it extends out over the roof of the house. Having spent a number of years of my young life on a ranch and farm, I know how to drop trees. I know how to operate a chain saw safely without loosing a limb or making a quick trip to the ER. From years in the construction / design field, I know how to operate a high lift ......... but even I know that the task of removing this tree is beyond my level in spite of my willingness and wish to save the $3500 I've been quoted. There are some things best left to the pros. Besides, If I drop a 14" diameter limb on the roof, I would never hear the end of it from my wife. Based solely on the questions you asked, I would highly recommend that you hire an Architect to help you with the design and your budget. Then I would find a well recommended GC to do the job......I'm betting you'll make the most of your limited budget going this route.
...See More
Cement 'growing' in bathroom floor, help!
Q
Comments (7)
It looks as if you have something crumbling behind the tiles. It could be the porcelain or the wall. This once happened to me. I paid for a professional to insert a gas fire into the fire breast. Consistently we had what looked like rubble falling down the chimney. No one knew what it was and we were baffled. Then one day we had the chimney swept by an amazing chimney sweep who informed us the wall prep behind the fireplace hadn't been done properly and what was falling down was the brick and rubble which was behind and had not been cleared properly. He said it wasn't a big deal and not dangerous so we left it, although it was an inconvenience having to clean it up every day particularly in bad weather. I would advise asking a tiler to come and have a look. Maybe your bathroom tiles need sealing, maybe water is getting in. If the tiler doesn't know ask a surveyor, he may not have the answer but he will know which trade to point you in the direction of. It could simply be a case of the walls not being prepped properly before the tiles were put up. Any which way, if a large tile which could potentially fall off a wall it needs to be checked because if it landed on you it could do serious damage or cause further tile damage which would make the job of rectifying more expensive.
...See More
Ahh! Too much electronics! Help?
Q
Comments (7)
@Kayla: I love IKEA hacking too! ;) Hiding the game consoles is definitely a possibility; I can't put the speakers in a cabinet though.. It's a deal breaker for the hubs. Invest in a high quality sound system, the speakers have to be out for acoustic reasons. If only I had known that before I agreed so easily.. ;-/ @groveraxle: I love that example! You're probably right about the shelves.. there's already too much going on on that wall! I'll look into wall art instead. ;) And yes! Now I realize that part of what was annoying me was that crazy up down profile. I'll have to try and streamline it as much as possible. Maybe put one of the small rear speakers on the left with a trailing plant on top to hide it; a small end cabinet around the same height on the right for the other speaker and to make room to clear off the top of the console? @Mystic Home: That's lovely!! Using electronics as a plant stand, vase to soften the look of that speaker, putting the speaker in an end cabinet.. genius! That might be the best (and cheapest) way to make everything "disappear". I can always paint it white again when we leave. I'll run it by the hubs and the landlord. Thanks ;)) thank you all keep the ideas coming! ~<3
...See More
Painting - All the advice and tips?
Q
Comments (1)
Make sure the colours you choose all go together. Any day you have planned for painting, add another one on top of it because who knows what might happen on the first day.
...See More

What do you wish you knew before starting a HDB reno?

Comment (1)

Amuro Elaine

Related Discussions

COMPANY

EXPLORE HOUZZ

CONNECT WITH US