Renovation - Week 01B Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Friday, July 11, 2008

We were very pleased with the works done by our general contractors.  When we went down to inspect the house last Wednesday (which was the second 'hacking day' allowed by HDB), most of the jobs were completed.  Indeed, it was a 'super fast' job and the place was, surprisingly, orderly. 

Bravo to Chiauw for monitoring. We believe it has to do with her no-nonsence work ethics. In a way, we appreciate it as we seek for smooth renovation.

There were no debris left in the house.  And all the sands and cements were neatly stacked for the next job.

HDB normally only allows a maximum three days to hack.

Some pictures:

Entrance to Dining And Living Areas (View from Kitchen):

We need to get the contractor to remove all the archs and to level the top entrances (Arrow).

Entrance to Dining And Living Areas

Entrance to MBR (View from Living Room):

The contractor is to create a new door for Guest Room (Arrow) and to remove the beam arch.  The store room has been removed to make way for the Walk-in Wardrobe and Study area.

Entrance to MBR

Entrance to MBR Toilet

The contractor is to remove the whole wall (Arrow).

Entrance to MBR Toilet

Entrance to Study Area (View from MBR)

Entrance to Study Area

The Stiffener Wall

This is the only wall that HDB gives restriction to our hacking application.  It would be very silly of us to hack this stiffener wall (Arrow) - which is really small, and pay almost a thousand dollars just to engage a Professional Engineer to oversee the work.

Stiffener Wall

Guest Toilet

The contractor is to create a new entrance (Arrow) to the Guest Toilet.

Guest Toilet

Kitchen Entrance to Living:

Kitchen to Living Area

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Renovation - Week 01A Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Monday, July 07, 2008

Alamak!! Argh!! Aiyo!! Aiya!!

Sometimes, a news can just break your heart.  It can make your mind wonders.  It can give you unsettled feelings.  All because, when the news is given to you, it does not contain the whole picture.  Fragments of information can be dangerous.

It is important to deliver a news complete and with clear indication.  Especially, when the news is important and it means a lot to the recipient.

Chiauw went to HDB Town Council this morning to solve about the stiffener issue personally.  With the right HDB officer, she found out that the actual location of the stiffener is only a small section of the wall which will not affect our intention to expand the MBR.

The Actual Stiffener Location:

2D Stiffener Actual Location

There is no need for us to engage a PE now.  Hopefully, the initial renovation permit is still valid and that hacking can be done tomorrow.

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Renovation - Week 00B Written by : Reiki Sanctuary Date : Friday, July 04, 2008

Our renovation date might have to change now.  HDB has just informed Chiauw that we need to submit another form for the appointment of Professional Engineer [PE].  On Chiauw's side, she has appointed a company to oversee the job.

Generally, all other renovation and hacking works have been approved except for the wall at the store room.  For the hacking there to be carried out, there must be a presence of a PE.  According to HDB, the PE needs to solve the wall stiffener between the MBR and the walk-in wardrobe/study room.  Chiauw is puzzled but we will still go ahead with the hacking.

[Stiffener = A steel angle or plate attached to a slender beam to prevent its buckling by increasing its stiffness]

Stiffener at Store Room

Still, we hope that the earlier renovation permit is not revoked and that other works can start next Tuesday.

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