I created this blog as a record so that we could keep track of our renovations or be used as a reference later on should the need arise.
We got our keys to our new house in JB, but was too busy with work and only manage
to start thinking about our renovations after 2 months. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the numerous forums and blogs out there that provided information about living in JB.
Moving on to our renovations, we had to first decide either to engage an interior designer(ID), or a main renovation contractor or sourcing for individual contractors to do the renovation works. Unless we know off or have unlimited budget, we could engage an ID to do up the plans for our renovations. After considering our tight budget, we decided to do things slowly, probably over the course of a year. So we would either get a main contractor, or individual contractors, or both depending on what they could offer in terms of material and cost.
Reading the forums and studying our situation, we thought of what we needed to install as the basic items to get started living in our new nest. These included the lighting, air conditioning and basic appliances like fridge, cooker, washing machine etc... The other consideration is to do up the ground floor first and renovate the second floor at a later time (when budget allows).
The following are our initial thoughts:-
1) lighting for the ground floor area (living, dinning, kitchen, guest/study room, room & common toilet, yard, utility room, store room, car porch and gate lights).
2) grilles for the whole house
3) autogate system
4) air conditioning for the whole house.
5) washing machine
6) refrigerator
7) kitchen cabinet
8) water heater
Meeting up with some contractors, we found out that there is a process that we have to follow to get things done (first time doing such a major renovation). Before the plaster ceiling goes up, the electrical wirings have to be run, and before the running of wirings, we have to first decide on the types and placement of lights and appliances. Therefore, a study and debate of space management between my wife and I follows. Fortunate or unfortunate for us, all the air conditioning points and pipes had been laid and concealed. No arguments there, just needed to install the right powered air con for the size of a particular area.
Next the hunt for lighting and appliances begins while we wait for quotation from contractors.
