RenoTalk: Laminate Floor and L-box with Downlights

It's been a year since my simple kitchen make over.

This year, as I have a new job which is quite demanding, I have NO TIME to plan for our home renovation.  ;-(

Our house is near the CTE so we need soundproof windows in the rooms to be able to sleep.  I asked my dh to source for soundproof windows but the prices were so high.  We opted for normal windows, dh will just put more seals to reduce the noise.  He found this newly opened shop in our neighbourhood.  The shop owner quoted much lower than those direct shops that we used last year for our PVC door.  So windows for 2 TnB, 1 MBR and 1 CBR, all for ~$1000.  Still not cheap!  I find the locks are very lousy plastic material.  I keep complaining to dh that our old windows were still better.

Our next project after the windows was to get L-boxdownlights, cove lights, storage/display cabinet, TV feature wall, last would be to have floor laminates.  I was thinking we should get one contractor to do all these because I have no more time for coordination and there are many bits and pieces.  I can't take the headache.

When dh paid for the windows, the shop owner mentioned to my dh that he also does all kinds of renovation works.  So dh asked him to visit our place and quote for L-box with downlights for living and dining and laminate flooring for 3 BR, Living and Dining.  The contractor informed dh that we also need to replace our room doors since we are just overlaying the laminates on existing tiles.  So additional 4 doors to be changed.  Initial quote was $5,700.  No further details, just the price.  

Dh brought me to the shop so that I could talk to the contractor.  He had samples of laminates and he suggested the best colors. They looked fine to me so we agreed.  I asked for the brand of the laminate. He just said, it’s made in China.  He also warned us not to be fooled by the European/German brands.  Those are surely made in China.  OK at that point I also agreed with him, at this time, all products are probably made in China.  Something that skipped my mind is that, European/German brands should also have higher quality standards.  It does not mean that a product which is made in China is of poor quality.  

He asked us to choose the door designs.  We followed his suggestion. He mentioned, 3 BR doors...I asked, what about or store room door? He and dh looked at each other, so the store room door was not counted.  OK, additional $150, discounted from $180.  It’s the classic door.  Now I had a chance to check prices, I saw promotional price in 2011 is $138.   

When I asked about the downlights, he already indicated 10 points but he could not tell me where the points would be located exactly. He said his electrician will take care of it.  I asked about adding cove lights, he discouraged us as having cove lights will need maintenance. Dust will be collected.  I insisted on adding cove lights (LED to be installed by dh).  So he added $300. 

 

I wanted a full height storage/display cabinet in the dining area.  His quote was $3000, he told me to make it as my next project. Not now.  We also inquired on TV feature wall.  He said he will think of a cheap way of making it for us but not now.  Just do the L-box, laminate and doors first.

Total quote $6,150. 

Not bad? It is within our estimated budget.  The contractor has an amazing story of his recovery from whole body paralysis.  He says he does not cheat his customers. He seemed to be a good man.  He even brought us to Baliester road to buy the LED downlights.  We got our LED downlights for $38 with 2 year warranty.  I don’t remember the selling price but on one shop we checked, the price is all above $60. 

We paid 50% on Saturday.  At this point, I am so uneasy with this renovation.  I am so unsure of so many things as I did not do any study.  Contractor could not even give me a breakdown for the quote.

 

Renovation schedule: Wednesday for electrical, Thursday for L-box, Friday for laminates and doors.

 

Wednesday in the midst of a busy day at the office, the electrician calls me asking me where he will put the living room hanging light that he has removed.  I was shocked.  We did not mention removing the lights.  I asked him to re-install it.  Then he asks me again where to place the switches for the downlights...............waaaaaaaaah...... dh received a lot of scolding from me.  He immediately took half day leave and went home to settle the issue.  I specifically asked him to handle this renovation.  I told him I can't handle it.  He was not looking at me when I came home that night haha, sorry my love! 

 

Our dining area on Thursday morning.  The L-box has been installed.

 

The pink bag contains the thin foam they will install under the laminates.

They have delivered the laminates on Wednesday nights. 

 

This is the first time I get to know of the brand.  So I quickly checked renotalk for it.  I've only seen a few threads way back 2011.  One forumer said: "why settle for cheap China brand when European and German brands are in the market?".....duh, please do not rub it in.  Last June I got a promotional quote for European laminates, ~$4,300 + $200 to hack current skirting.  I told my husband to have the laminates the last, when we had enough budget. VISTA makes me sad huhuhuhu

Here is what greeted me on Friday night.

 

 

Living Room "Before"

Notice the floor tiles and old doors. 

 



We have achieved a total makeover at a low cost.  I am not sure if we saved.  Cost is low because the materials used are CHEAP!

BUT....
The floor squeaked each time we walked.  According to contractor, the floor needs to "set in".  How long? we don't know.
Laminate floors are easy to clean BUT are susceptible to warping if it gets wet. 
Laminates are NOT scratch proof, don't believe all those lies.
Broom is not even recommended to be used for cleaning???
I can see small footprints of my precious babies on the laminates.
My kids love to drink water, they tend to leave their water bottles on the floor.  Spills and condensation need to be kept at bay.
We have to keep all windows closed in case it rains, uh chance of rain in Singapore is 50%. 
Oh, we can't just move, push, drag our furniture anymore.  We need to lift and carry.

I suddenly miss our floor tiles.  I can use a super wet mop to clean all dirt.  I brush the grouts every six months to keep them white.  Even if the little ones write on the tiles, a simple wipe is good enough.  Stress free =)

The door locks are ALL faulty.  They keep on self-locking.  I'm nagging my husband to complain to the contractor.

I am satisfied with the L-box and the down lights.  Down lights can improve the ambience of a room by providing soft light.  We can turn on all 10 down lights and the whole living and dining room is bright but not glaring.  The box needs to be painted though.  Our contractor provided one electrical point for our LED cove light without extra charge. Dh will be installing the LED lights.  I will ask him to buy the multicolour LED lights so that we can use it as Christmas lights hahaha. 

However, since our flat is 30+ old, the walls are not even.  The down lights highlight the flaws.  Dh will work on them, hopefully.

I don't see any workmanship issue, yet.  Crossing my fingers.

If I had the time and energy, I will not settle for low quality materials.  Our home is our biggest investment, and it's where we build our family.  Go for high quality materials as long as your budget allows you.

Next project: Tall Christmas Tree =)
Next year: storage/display cabinets and feature wall....

Thank You Lord!