hdb renovation • 15 Reno Regrets or Things We Might Have Done Differently

[@potterhandable]

Thank you for the honest review of your reno works. Quite rare since more are sharing the best side of the result of their house reno... We may get so carried away with the aesthetics that practical details like the ones you have mentioned in your video may slip our mind when we plan for the new house. Thank you.

[@haylivk]

Yeah, reno is crazy hectic. We’ve only realised these after reno/living in for a bit. Indeed, we tend to overlook the practical details as they aren’t exactly the most prominent during planning. Glad to have helped you! 😊

[@xksmdksmndjsj7408]

Yes agree right👍

[@AlexTeo]

Few suggestions from Uncle Alex 😇 0:47 - remove the legs and have the whole console sitting on the floor, 1 wall socket to power your tv, another wall socket to a power extension hide inside your console. Then use stick on casing to conceal the exposed cables between the tv and console 1:08 - just drill a hole underneath the table to have a power extension go inside the cable management compartment, so basically it is just 1 cable running underneath table to the wall socket 1:57 - gotta close that side of windows else just change to a full ceiling fan already, especially with the crazy hot weather 5:05 - it will look weird if that part is dropped down, so kinda no choice problems with being short🤣. I suggest you dry your knifes separately on the kitchen top 6:00 - actually it's better to separate the laundry area and kitchen. You can still do carpentry at the opp side of the washer if you want or buy some ikea shelving at the kitchen side without top cabinets

[@haylivk]

Aww, thanks for your input! 0:47 - Good idea! Will def consider 👍🏻 1:08 - Exactly the same idea as my husband; we'll be doing this 1:57 - Closing 1 window doesn't work / ceiling fan would feel too close for our liking with our storage bed. We're experimenting with curtain weights/ways to keep our curtains closer to the walls. 5:05 - Ah, was thinking that the whole carpentry can be lower a bit, not just the rack (but less deep so you won't knock your head when looking down) 🤔 Tmi: I'm pretty tall for a singaporean female btw 😉 6:00 - Yes, was considering some shelves too! Why dyou think it's better to separate both areas / any pros iyo?

[@imairmeli]

Hi Alex, dish rack has a drop but since it is at the edge it looks alright. Love your videos too.

[@AlexTeo]

@@imairmeli actually mine has a slight drop too haha, thanks for loving my vids!

[@AlexTeo]

@@haylivk the cooking smell won't go to your clothes and also if you are using those electric laundry rank system, you can sorta enclosed the area. If you have visitors coming, you can close off hide your laundry, that's why I put frosted glass

[@haylivk]

@@AlexTeo smells are ok for us atm, but didn’t think about hiding laundry before. Thanks for sharing ☺️

[@haylivk]

Hello everyone! I’ve compiled a list of inputs here and thank you to the commenters for your generous sharing!😊 Reno is costly and these lessons are expensive; this video was produced with the intent of passing on our learnings and not to blame. Of course, things could’ve been done better; but mistakes are opportunities for growth, and what’s productive is packing the takeaways and moving on. As with everything on the internet, do regulate your intake of information with discernment. All the best! 0:12 - Console can sit on the floor instead + stick-on casing to conceal exposed TV cables (consider the width of your skirting if any, as it might prevent the console from being flushed against the wall) 0:48 - Drill a hole at the base of the electrical compartment to thread wires from wall socket to the table’s compartment 1:20 User feedback include: - Leg space concerns are real, esp if you like to put your leg on the chair - Armrests might hit the drawers and prevent you from sliding and disappearing under your desk - Side drawers are great and retrieving items is convenient 1:43 - Attach curtain weights 2:12 - Requires some form of hacking, which will damage waterproofing; suitable for resale flats and not BTOs 4:03 - 3rd burner will be closer to the backsplash, and it might crack if you’re having a glass one 4:56 - Consider users’ height for a customised ergonomic design (pay attention to height/clearance between countertop & wall cabinet) Reconsider having a cover for the dish rack: - If you’re using it often, drying dishes with the cover closed might result in humidity issues and lead to rotting of the cabinet - If you’re not using it often, converting it into a storage compartment might be an option as it stores more than a dish rack User feedback include: - Dish rack cover was always kept open and was removed eventually 5:53 - Smells might not be an issue if you’re using a dryer or not cooking frequently/heavily - Consider if you’ve the habit of closing off/hiding your laundry area when guests come over (if yes, doors should be frosted/opaque) Others Kitchen carpentry - Ensure that the counter-top joints have silicone reapplied to prevent rotting due to water seeping in after long years of heavy usage

[@csy897]

1:57 Suggest you can place a chair at the end of the curtain. Or if you have a desk below the curtain, then something heavy to stop the curtain from flailing. If it still does not work, perhaps you can velcro it down, just for the trouble portion

[@haylivk]

Putting a stool there is exactly what we're doing, thank you so much! Considered attaching velcro too, though the middle/top part might still balloon up when there's strong winds. Thank you for your kind suggestions Chae :)

[@david888a]

Check out blade less ceiling fans

[@imairmeli]

0:52: I have the same issue as you. I think think about my sockets. This is something I think I should really thought about. 1:25: Same as me. I regretted like mad Bec i have a habit of moving my chair very closed to the table and the arm rest hit the drawer. 3:55: I agree on the fridge part. I regret not getting the big one that I wanted. 4:04: If I can choose I will definitely get a stove with more burner. Currently I have one ceramic one and a gas one. Ceramic one cook so so so so slow. So it is like I have only one stove. 4:33: I would get a dishwasher and a deeper sink. I see many people using dishwasher and wondered why I didn’t got one. Haha. 5:15: my dish rack is lower at eye level since it is at the edge so it doesn’t look strange. I agree this is a good point. 5:55: I will also hack if I can. I know the smell but I am using dryer most of the time and I can transfer to another place if I am cooking something big. 6:29: OMG! Yes. I didn’t even replace those that is not hidden and it irks me until now.

[@haylivk]

0:52 My husband's gonna drill a hole in the electrical compartment so it wont be exposed :) 1:25 Right... Im also hesitant to get an office chair w/ armrest 'cos of this consideration 3:55 My husband wanted a larger one, but I said no so... Im living with guilt & remorse 🤣 4:04 Oh no :( Sometimes I use my pressure cooker at the same time so I can do more stuff 4:33 I started thinking abt a dishwasher after one of your first few comments! 😂 5:55 Oh ya. Got dryer. We'll KIV if we need one in the future 👍🏻 6:29 Yes my feet itchy. Keep going over the uneven tiles 🥺 Thanks for sharing!! 🥰

[@zth9917]

@@haylivk I use Cif to brush the bathroom uneven tile every week. Itchy feet gone. Hope helps.

[@espeon871]

This video is so calming and the small bits of humour makes it so much better

[@haylivk]

Glad that you liked it Jenny! 🥰

[@jugwinderkaur9198]

I felt surprisingly calm while watching this video. It felt like a dear friend taking me through the do’s and don’ts of renovating a home. Insightful video!

[@haylivk]

Aww thank you for that and glad that you found it useful. Good luck for your reno! 💜

[@zc6128]

Rly don't understand the hdb toiletbowl water tap..Anw, Thanks for this! definitely useful! And happy to see this garnered so much views!

[@haylivk]

Eco-friendly I guess 🙊 Thanks as always, for your constant encouragement since the start of this channel :)

[@duoleaps]

To be honest it is a very smart design, I love it very much.

[@haylivk]

Glad that it’s working out for you! :))

[@simplelifesg3459]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I’ve always wondered how practical it would be to have drawers just above the seating area and now my suspicion has been confirmed - it’s more aesthetic than practical or comfortable. As for the shower area, I’ve also done a step down in my resale flat but I suspect you might not have had that option with a fresh BTO since you won’t be able to hack the tiles just yet. If the position of your corner ceiling fan bugs you on a daily basis and disturbs your sleep, I would suggest not waiting but engage an electrician to shift it ASAP . I’d been bothered by how my pendant light was not centered with my dining table every time I had a meal at home for a very long time - ever since I finally got it repositioned by a few centimeters, I enjoy dining at home a lot more 🤣

[@haylivk]

Thanks too for your comment! 🥰 Drawers - yeah, practical for storage (imo) but not really that comfortable as a desk :( Step-down - ah I see, thanks for highlighting that! Fan position - I feel you!! We're considering it, but are pretty exhausted by now. We dont have a false ceiling, so it'd require hacking and repainting etc. We've done it for an additonal 2-3x by now (after handover) cos of various defect rectifications happening at different times *cries. We'll def consider it :) Happy for you that your lights are finally centred! 😁

[@jasminetlc1241]

Yeahh for someone who likes to put up their legs on the chair the drawers blocks my access to go nearer or inner. But side drawers are great though! I just have to scoot to the side to get my stuff

[@chrislin6756]

Hi, nice tiles! Do you still remember the tile dimensions / model code and are you happy with the result? Any lippage issues etc? Thank you!

[@haylivk]

tiles are RMW12261: www.hafary.com.sg/collection/Tiles/Romantic-Ceramic-RMW12263-2218 yep we're 4-5 years into the house now, so far so good :) Just that the grout falls off but I think that's based on the workmanship

[@ahhuizx]

Here for the video aesthetics. Love the editing!

[@haylivk]

Thank you !🥺

[@lauy0008]

I would not recommend to have the glass cover for the built-in dish rack in the kitchen. I don’t close them because I want my dishes to dry without rotting the wood but eventually, it was kept open until the pistons gave way and I had to remove the heavy glass cover myself.

[@haylivk]

Thanks for your input! I agree with you. I didn't want to have it initially, but left it as my husband wanted to keep it to keep our dishes clean in case we travel/leave the house for an extended amount of time. Which is not possible now cos of COVID 😆

[@tanelizabeth7117]

Should I install glass panel in kitchen yard? Or there is no need? Cos I'm wondering if when it rains, will it come onto the washing machine/dryer.

[@haylivk]

Yeah, shd install to protect your service yard from rain. Usually ppl install the sliding windows, same for ours too. We opted for white frames, but I've seen black/brown ones as well. Sflr, hope it was well-sorted 😊

[@charmainewee6592]

Really insightful! It’s the small things that matter and I can see how these would affect your daily living. Nonetheless a beautiful place, love the light wood all around.

[@haylivk]

Thank you! To be frank, we're not really affected by these and they're more of reno afterthoughts/reflections :) Absolutely with you on the importance of details. Thanks for watching!

[@Alice12578]

Many rookie mistakes. It's sad that no one advised you early even though you paid for an ID.

[@haylivk]

Absolutely agree. Hopefully doing this video will help someone out there from ending up with completely preventable reno mistakes like ours.

[@ampquartz]

@@haylivk Really appreciate your intentions and I believe you did a very good job

[@tiajune76]

Seems like ID is just a reno coordinator instead of a reno designer+consultant. 😅

[@floweryxo]

Stumbled upon ur vid and felt really informative. Some things you just have to go through before knowing whether is good or not. Would keep in mind of your opinions for my place!

[@haylivk]

Cant agree more! Like with everything in life sometimes you gotta try first; just that reno is a very expensive trial 🤣 Tysm for watching, glad to have provided you with a reference :)

[@moltenbullet]

Helpful. Thanks. At least number 2 is easily addressed with a table gromet hole. Super easy DIY with the right drill bit.

[@haylivk]

Yes, we got it done :) Glad it was helpful, all the best for your reno!

[@priscillak7136]

Not sure if anybody said this, but u can try tying something of certain weight at the bottom of the curtain so that when wind blow, it wont fly that much and hit your fan :)

[@haylivk]

Yes, we’ve been searching for a suitable one with credits to kind folks like you, who suggested it to us after watching this video☺️ Thank you Priscilla, appreciate it 🥰

[@jennifersia1176]

Hello, nice video! May I know if you are still using kompacplus? How is the condition so far?

[@haylivk]

Hello, yeh it's been 4-5 years so far and all good! The colour didnt rly fade too (but might be because my kitchen doesn't really have natural sunlight coming in). Think it's a pretty solid option if you're looking for thinner countertops

[@flol7946]

Simple home is better, cozy and airy less complicated. Do the necessary renovation. Less storage means material stored. Honestly speaking, I like your common toilet sink design and the combination colour. Happy living!

[@haylivk]

Thank you for your kind words Flo! :)

[@nicst3373]

Thank you for this video I do appreciate your considerations. I am an ID myself After having done my own apartment, I too will have certain things will be done differently if to happen again :)

[@haylivk]

Thanks for watching! :) Indeed, there are many new things we would learn about ourselves after moving in which might change the decisions we make. I also really appreciate the openness and positivity in your comment!😊

[@sierrakevin4280]

Everyone's house is tailored to their own expectations, although there might be imperfections do try to embrace them. Maybe embrace the wabi-sabi notion? The house grows with the family and the additions to it will define the home over time. Dont regret but embrace it/define it over time. You earned urself a loyal subscriber. PS. I just finished my reno and I went to get the same bathroom vanity from saniquo after seeing yours, love the deep drawers!

[@haylivk]

Yes! We are grateful to have our place despite it's imperfections (esp during this COVID period) and treat it as a good learning experience. Hopefully this will help others who are planning for their flat :) Oh, glad that you're liking your vanity drawers! 😁Thanks for your support and appreciate your introduction to the wabi-sabi notion. Googled it briefly and am already looking out for eBooks to read up on that.

[@chiisana0sekai]

I bought my house years ago but didn't have the chance to live in it yet. I've been designing over and over again on sketchup 3d modelling so that all these problem would be minimize but I'm sure there will be unforeseen problems. Thanks for the honest review. We can learn a lot more from mistakes! Nice house btw 😉

[@haylivk]

Indeed, there will still be some things that we'll learn (or grow out of) only after living in for some time. You're so hardworking to revise your 3D sketchup drawings 🤗 I'm sure it'll be a great home when you get to move in :) Thank you for your positivity, love it!! 😊💪🏻

[@ziqian2202]

Thanks for the great video. May I know more the the issue for toilet bowl? I dont quite get the picture. Do u mean wrong size of basin cabinet or the bowl?

[@haylivk]

Thanks for watching! ☺️ Wrong size of the basin cabinet set :) The larger one was meant for the common toilet, but we found that it wouldn’t fit when making our own measurements after the installation of the kerb & shower glass. We couldn’t refund the units, so we used the smaller cabinet set for the common toilet and larger one had to go to the master bathroom. ID later acknowledged that he had made a mistake and given us the wrong dimensions. Shd be preventable as long as measurements/recommendations given are accurate 😊

[@chrisng2615]

Is really good reference in video that we can show our ID realistically the workmanship concern. Good job

[@haylivk]

Grateful that our video could help you. Thank you for your kind comment :)

[@starrysloth8018]

great tips!!! but tbh a lot of these could have been avoided with some homework done and having a good ID. An experienced/meticulous ID will point out most of these to us. Mine did point out to us, but still had some issues on the sockets due to changes in some of the furniture arrangement later on.

[@haylivk]

We averted many more mistakes with the homework we did, but there were too many details and we weren't able to catch all of them without our ID's help. There are more reno resources/vids now, and hopefully your reno journey would be a smooth one tgt with your ID! 😊

[@xinyi2070]

Hi babe! Thanks for sharing this video! May I ask if the vino fan is ideal and windy enough if I install in master room?

[@haylivk]

Hello! This is an Elmark fan from the aircraft series; it’s good enough for us but I won’t recommend it as only speed 2 is usable (1 or 3 are too low/high). Hope this helps :)

[@CSDimension]

0:34 - You mean TV console cabinet? As your TV is wall mounted? May I know the size & weight of your TV? As it is wall mounted on your non-reinforce partition wall?

[@haylivk]

Good catch! Yes, I meant TV console. Yes, we managed to mount our TV on the wall. Our TV is 55”, not sure of the exact weight. Did it after the TV installation team confirmed with us that it was ok :)

[@whjjust1]

Great video and good pointers. Renovating a home is a nightmare for many. However, with some preparations before you meet your ID (Interior Designer), I am sure you will be able to complete your home with fewer or no mistakes. Noted, there will always be touch up work to be done after you move in. Please make sure the ID knows the industry well and He or She is not a self-declared ID. Before looking for an ID, get an idea of what you envision your new home to be like. Take photos or snap shot of other homes or from the internet and share it with your ID. The photos that you have might not be suitable for your home due to the different layout but will give a good idea of how your home would look like. If you are unsure of anything, please do not hesitate to consult your ID ASAP. They will be able to explain the advantages or disadvantages of different materials to use for your home. Do note that hesitation may cost you and delay the progress of the renovation. In order to stick to your budget, always ask your ID if there is any hidden cost ( unsure cost or unforeseen cost ) especially for resale units.

[@haylivk]

Insightful tips! Agree that finding a reputable and reliable ID/contractor is crucial in actualising all the hard work and preparation done for the reno. Thank you for sharing :)

[@Ccpj123]

Hi! Am interested to get a blanco sink but saw so many reviews on the maintenance. do you still face issues cleaning off the stains after using the sink for awhile now?

[@haylivk]

hey! Hm actually no issues for removing the stains for us; we typically clean off stains asap esp those with more colouring like tomato sauce or turmeric. We don’t leave these stains there for more than 30mins in general. Only concern is the texture of the sink as it might scratch stainless steel or non-stick pans if there are any abrasions against the sink walls during washing.

[@Ccpj123]

@@haylivk thanks for this! We have in mind to get a while blanco sink and was hesitant to do so until we saw your video!

[@Ccpj123]

Hi! can i check what soap do you use to clean your sink?

[@casan0gal]

Hi, may I know where you got your toilet basin cabinet from? It looks really good!

[@haylivk]

Hi Kathy! We got it from Saniquo’s retail store 😊

[@seabreeze667]

I didn't have a 3D picture/ artist impression before work, turns out they are really important

[@haylivk]

Yeah, they do help to pre-empt issues, though it might ultimately depends on the overall quality your ID/con can deliver imo. Hope your reno went smoothly :)

[@zhenxing78]

Another informative video once again! Our own flat reno is completed, now at cleaning and finding defects stage. Hehe..... Truly all of us have learnt lots of things after our first reno!

[@haylivk]

Thanks for watching 🥰 Ah I see, seems that your reno progress is pretty fast! Yeah, it's a steep learning experience 🙊 Hope it goes smoothly for you!

[@ReecePowell]

I'm thinking of doing a similar video too. I've just finished my house renovation❤

[@haylivk]

Looking forward to yours :) Congrats on completing reno! 😆

[@alyssum8902]

Pls do so! Waiting with expectations! ;-)

[@ampquartz]

Excited to see your video

[@EastVillageLaunch]

The partition wall from HDB is 1 inch fire rated. Check you store room for the extra huge butterfly for having of your furniture

[@tankahsheng7294]

Amazing video, keep it up. Helped a lot

[@haylivk]

Most welcome Kah Sheng, have a good weekend! 😊

[@mamemo359]

Agree with you on most of your points. Oh well, we learn! Anyway, I've stayed in my flat for 5 years and only worked at my in-built desk for a grand total of 1 time! 😂 Now I understand why it feels uncomfortable after watching your video! It's indeed the leg space! Tbh, after living for 5 years in my flat now, I am really happy that our only in-built furniture are the wardrobes and kitchen cabinets (oh and that uncomfortable desk haha) because loose furniture allowed us to change our home look and layout many many many times. 😍😍😍 Also, we spent only 26k for our home reno!

[@haylivk]

Totally with you on the leg space 😆 Yeah, I quite like the posh/finished look that built-in furniture gives, but can't deny the flexibility loose furniture would offer as well! Will def consider that more if we ever do our next reno :) Wow you managed the budget really well! Does 26K incl the amount you spent on furniture?

[@mamemo359]

@@haylivk 26k is only flooring for the whole house, inbuilt furniture, electrical work, doors, wallpaper, paintwork and restructuring our kitchen. Very basic work. Actually I also don't know if it is considered cheap or expensive but we got the look we wanted, which is a lot like yours tbh. Haha. We have a semi-empty room like your gym room as well (I use it as my fitness room too) which we also will convert to our child's room next time. We just keep everything very flexible. This is like a trial renovation to see what we like and what we might or might not want the next time we renovate again. I'm kinda glad we didn't spend too much on our first reno. Reduce number of regrets hahaha. You should do a video on what you don't regret for your house reno too!

[@mamemo359]

@@haylivk oh ya 26k also included adding glass screens to our shower area. We didn't do anything else to our bathroom except add mirrors and racks from IKEA because at the time of reno, I wanted nice toilets sooo much but I had no idea what exactly I wanted. Our interior designer also didn't give us designs that we like, so we just decided to renovate them next time when I get a good idea. 5 years later, I still have no idea what I want. 😂😂😂 But I agree with you about the shower floor part. I feel putting that ledge is super useless leh. Haha.

[@haylivk]

@@mamemo359 oh I see!! I think we could’ve saved a bit on the flooring; we went for wood-like tiles instead of vinyl cos my husband prefers tiles and no regrets for that :) You guys are doing great with practicing delayed gratification 💯 I bought a lot of stuff only after living in too after understanding what we needed, and it was a great way to save money 🙊

[@haylivk]

@@mamemo359 actl I considered that vid idea before, but tbh our house might not have enough reno works to say what we don’t regret 😬 But will def KIV!! I scrolled Pinterest a lot/across a long time to understand what I wanted. Doesn’t matter if you don’t have an interior or design pref, it’s a cosy living space that’s unique to both of you ☺️☺️

[@kennyap8554]

Thank you for this video. I’m in the midst of renovations and your tips are very useful. Cheers!

[@haylivk]

Hey Kenn, happy to hear that these helped, and thanks for dropping a note to let me know 😊🙏🏻 All the best for your reno!

[@jackchew5768]

Awesome video , my home reno also last stage already .. But there some unevrn painting issue and cupboard door alignment concerns that need to be address and rectify by ID .. Regarding the HDB toilet haha haha thinking of change but in the end nv do too ..

[@haylivk]

Morning Jack! Yea, we didn't want to waste the provided toilet bowl too 😆Hope all your defects can be rectified smoothly! 💪🏻

[@slamdunkjun]

Friendly suggestion on the Fan + Curtain. Can consider adding some weight at the bottom of the curtain. :)

[@haylivk]

Thank you! We’re considering it too and am looking for weights atm 😃

[@DonGurugay]

@@haylivk You could Google for Rufflette curtain weights. They come in 25, 50 and 100 gram per metre. Amazon UK has them. You sew them into the bottom of the curtain and the weight will prevent the curtain from moving.

[@haylivk]

@@DonGurugay Oh, thanks so much for the suggestion! Didn’t know there were specialised curtain weights and will def check them out. 😊

[@no2984]

Thanks for the tips! One comment about the video, the repetition or boomerang of footage at the beginning of each tip could be shorten/taken out, it can make the video even sleeker and cleaner.

[@haylivk]

thanks for the feedback! I appreciate it a lot 😊

[@bbutterlovers]

Thanks for sharing! I feel though the ID should have prevented many of these situations. But like you said there's no 'perfect ' renovation. We all would do something differently if given a chance again

[@haylivk]

Indeed, I do wish that our ID would give us proper guidance / proposals, esp for those that are pretty straightforward. Hopefully this would help someone who might be in the same situation that we were in. Thank you so much for your kind comment Sharon! 🥰💜

[@plaincrackers6438]

I should do my own video on my reno too. I love my house overall, but definitely have quite a few regrets. If only more channels like yours and Alex's existed back then 😊

[@haylivk]

Yes pls do! I’d love to watch your version 😊 Yeah ikr, I see a lot more reno-related vids popping up recently (mine included) and wished I had all these info before my own reno 😃

[@ampquartz]

Please share your link here, so that I have something to watch while having my lunch 🤣

[@marleynahoffman4153]

I think another point to note. Don't be afraid to voice out if u feel the alignment not right and all.. after they fix eg flooring. That night u come down.. and check.. then write down or indicate of any defects... just an opinion...

[@haylivk]

Agree! Voicing your opinions firmly throughout the entire reno process (and not just the end) will be extremely helpful. We’ve been doing that for the other defects (in a separate video) but these are kinda the ones that hit us only after a while.

[@ordifolks]

Must watch video for all new homeowners! The quality of your videos is getting so inspiring 🙌

[@haylivk]

I’m so happy to see your comment!! 😍 Tyvm! Still experimenting with different filming/editing styles :)) See you around and thanks for watching as always 🙆🏻‍♀️

[@rachellee5523]

Does the ceiling fan really helps during hot humid days? Can't decide what fan to use for my master bedroom. Thanks!

[@haylivk]

It generally helps for us, but not on days when there's warm wind. Ultimately boils down to your personal preference :) Do consider your bed height to see if it'll be too close to the ceiling before getting one! Hope this helps😊

[@orangejoy7745]

never use ceiling fan my dear. think of the duat and cleaning. u need to have stool or ladder to clean. and ceiling fans always creak over time

[@mangotango7647]

We all make mistakes but some admit while others don't but it will definitely helps us be better planners in the future.

[@haylivk]

Hope that this would be one of those vids that can help! Hny 😊

[@mangotango7647]

@@haylivk I am sure it helps those who just got their keys and planning for renovation. At least they cld prevent those mistakes you made

[@stickymoney]

Thank you for sharing this. It is very relevant, relatable & helpful :)

[@haylivk]

My pleasure and glad that you found this helpful! 😊🙏🏻

[@ShubyDuby]

Thanks for sharing all these tips. I learnt a lot!

[@haylivk]

Glad that we were able to share our learnings! Thanks for watching Mitchell 😊

[@RACHELHOON-f6z]

Thank you very much for sharing. Extremely insightful.:)

[@haylivk]

Very glad it helped 😊

[@jadeevelynng4960]

Hi Hayliv, Thank you for your sharing on the tips and experiences.

[@haylivk]

Thank you for taking time to leave a kind comment. My pleasure to share! 😊

[@ampquartz]

In my opinion, this is one of the best video channels I have ever watched.

[@jamies142]

Thanks so much for sharing! Wld like to ask your fan at 1'35".... is it a cooler fan? And if so, does it really emit cool air?

[@haylivk]

Yes I think so 🙊 There's a compartment for you to add water. It does, but it's not super cooling and the surface area covered is pretty limited too. It works for me though, as I put it right in front of my face while doing work before our ceiling fan came :)

[@edgs2352]

Hello! Can I get your review on the standard toilet? Just got my flat and am contemplating if I should just change the toilets 😅

[@haylivk]

Hello Edgar! If you’re referring to the toilet bowl, I’d prefer changing them out to 3rd party ones from the start as these are a bit too small for our liking :)

[@dawnnbaby]

I don’t agree of hacking service yard off. It really depends on the wind direction. For us, luckily we didn’t hack as when I’m cooking the smell does flows to the clothes if I didn’t close the service yard door.

[@haylivk]

Yes, it ultimately depends on your own flat layout and lifestyle habits. Glad that you skipped out on the hacking 😊

[@vvvv5287]

Thank you for doing this video, a honest one too.

[@haylivk]

Most welcome, hope it was helpful to you :)

[@duoleaps]

I love your video. Keep it up!

[@haylivk]

Thank you!🥰

[@nathan2888]

What an informative video. I learnt a lot 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@haylivk]

Glad it was informative 🥰

[@jenji8944]

May I know where did youg get the grey curtain? Thanks!

[@haylivk]

Hello Jenji, it's kinda more like a cool-toned beige irl. Our vendor was John 93365052- it has been about 2 years since we installed ours, though there shouldn't be a vast difference in quality as my fam engaged them several times over the years. Hope this helps :)

[@cynloh]

Thanks for the helpful tips! May i know where do you get the corner ceiling fan? Is the wind strong enough for bedroom?

[@haylivk]

Hello Cynthia! We got the fan from Alex at A Lighting Enterprise at Geylang. Ours is from the Elmark Aircraft series :) The wind is ok overall for me, but I’d consider other models if given the chance. Speed 1 is too low (negligible wind) and speed 3 made me feel like the fan is gonna propel itself out of the window. We only use speed 2 :)

[@cynloh]

@@haylivk Thank you so much for sharing! :)

[@hotsweetshaz]

Hi hi. Does it mean we cant have mounted tv console + mounted tv on thw partitoned wall? Only either or?

[@haylivk]

Hello! I think it’s possible to do both if your wall is strong enough or if you add wall reinforcements. Overall, would be the best to get your contractor/ID to assess. That’d be the safest to prevent any accidents 😊 Hope this helps!

[@Myue2689]

Hi! About the corner fan in your room, is it providing enough airflow? I am think of installing one in the kitchen but clueless about it's quality and where to buy. It would be great if you can share!

[@haylivk]

Hello! Wind range is slightly narrow compared to traditional, caged wall-mounted fan but it's ok for us. Ours is from Elmark, but I dont recommend it as only 1/3 speeds can be used (1 is too low, 3 is too much). I got mine from retail (Alex Lighting, Geylang). The more popular one is Amasco's Fino fan, but we got this as it was $100 cheaper that time haha. Hope this helps 😊

[@Gurugurustan]

You can consider adding a cement slab underneath the kompacplus.

[@haylivk]

We'd most probably opt for an alternative material if we had a 2nd chance, but thank you for your suggestion!😊

[@jackfood3319]

Very excellent review on the regrets for new house owner to take note of. I will be renovating my humble 3 rooms flat soon, so it is very very useful information which most ID wouldn't tell us. Though The fridge vs kitchen carpentry we are aware for future upgrade as ID informed us, but some of the design fault is in their finest details that we will not be noticed (like the bathroom tiles and door) and the tiles skirt alignment, no one tell us about these yet. Also sockets, yes, ID always says on-site then discuss. And the different height for wet and dry in bathroom, ID says not possible for BTO, only can do curb. Hope you can make another blog / videos on some issues with ID or design approaches in near future (e.g. some of the deign faults you catch it before ID tells you). nevertheless, thank you for this video which i will view again in future during key collection in 2022

[@haylivk]

Most welcome Jack, very grateful to be able to help with a video on the internet! 😊 Bathroom tiles and door- I made a mistake of making a decision on it without having a render/how it'll look like; so I've learnt to throw the question back to the ID first and ask for pros/cons/drawings instead of answering all the questions our ID asks us. Sockets- can discuss onsite but yes make sure that all the details are duly noted down and properly installed during the actual reno! I feel that a lot of details tend to be missed out, and that's where having a meticulous ID is a huge plus. Shower kerb- yes, other viewers also mentioned that; it'll void BTO's tiling warranty for the bathroom :) Design faults- I've made a video on the renovation defects we caught, you may check it out if you're interested 😊 Congrats on your flat Jack and have a great day!

[@jayashrishobna]

Hey there, I keep coming back to this video as we approach our renovation just to make sure we've learnt from your mistakes! Thanks for this video! Would you mind sharing what brand/model that small ceiling fan was, and whether you'd recommend it? We want to use this to ventilate our dining area, and it needs to cool a person sitting 1.9m away. Do you think it's good enough?

[@haylivk]

Hello Jayashri :) This is our corner fan: shope.ee/5KWU9zIAHQ. Currently, we only use it at the middle speed, as the lowest is too weak and highest setting’s too strong 😅 Imo 1.9m should be ok esp if the fan’s oscillating. Apart from this I think you can consider the Fino fan too :) (and also glad to know that this was helpful for you! Thank you for saying that 😊)

[@jayashrishobna]

@@haylivk thank you so much! So helpful, really appreciate it :)

[@haylivk]

@@jayashrishobna most welcome 😊 hope you find something you like!

[@looiadrian]

Hello, for the tv console gap, couldn’t the ikea be mounted on the wall with the appropriate drywall anchors? HDB has been going on and on regarding how their drywalls can take up to 25kg on each anchored point…?

[@haylivk]

Hello Adrian! The staff at IKEA shared that it’s not the best- shd be possible but at our own risk. The handyman who helped us with the installation advised strongly against it. Not too sure about HDB’s drywall load-bearing capacity, but we decided to not risk it regardless :)

[@kammalvojodi1302]

Hey! Thanks for the tips, really insightful. Just a question, from your video, the tv is mounted onto the partition wall. Just checking that the wall can support the weight?

[@haylivk]

The TV installation guys assured us that our partition wall could take its weight, so we went ahead with it :) It's been to 1.5 years now; TV is still up on the wall, with no signs of collapsing anytime soon 😆

[@kammalvojodi1302]

@@haylivk Okay that gives me hope hahaha, thank you!!! :)

[@alices5531]

Hi Hayliv! I love the vibe of your home! Esp the kitchen entrance door frame colour matches with your wood theme! May I know if it is painted or is there such door and window frames that looks like wood?

[@haylivk]

Hello Alice, thank you ☺️ It’s the frame colour itself, PD door frame colour 22! All my videos are colour-graded/edited, you can head over to my IG for more photo references if you’d like. My husband and I searched a lot for this one as we didn’t want to spend more on installing customised wooden/timbre frames. Hope this helps!!😊

[@alices5531]

@@haylivk Thanks so much for your quick response! Really love your house! 💕

[@haylivk]

@@alices5531 most welcome, all the best for yours :)

[@SherBooga]

Very interesting tips and considerations on the various reno aspects. Definitely helpful for a new home owner!

[@haylivk]

Thank you ☺️ Looking forward to your version whenever you’re ready!😊

[@ivylee0922]

Hi, may I know what is the brand of your corner fan?

[@haylivk]

Hi Ivy! Our fan’s from Elmark: shope.ee/8emVkw9tuy Using it well over 2 years, just that we only use speed 2 as the others are too strong or weak. Hope this helps :)

[@That7Days79]

👍the placement of the power points by hbd seems weird@times...they placed a PowerPoint at the center of kitchen wall where you would usually place the cooker hob.You have no choice but to not use that point. Two burners are better if you have glass backplash behind hob.Over time, glass will crack due to usage of the burner closest to the glass.. Don't get hobs with rubber below the cast iron.They will melt over time.

[@haylivk]

Oh I see, those are great pointers that I’ve never considered before. Agree, the rubber stopper (?) for my stove racks (?) kinda melted off and I disposed of them eventually 😆 Thanks for sharing!😊

[@soberaffection]

Hi! I wanted to know if you are currently using the Hitachi refrigerator with multiple doors? How is it so far?

[@haylivk]

Hello! Mine's Mitsubishi Electric, shd be similar to Hitachi's. The shelves are shorter as space's given to the drawers; overall I think you can fit less than traditional fridges but I prefer it this way as I've a thing for drawers. I'd also have preferred a larger freezer as 1 freezer drawer is a little too small for me. Hope this helps😊

[@okishan]

You can add weights to the bottom of the curtains!

[@haylivk]

Thanks Ishan!

[@wertydun5100]

Thanks for your useful info but I would wish to know what do you mean that the HDB toilet bowl causes smelly?

[@haylivk]

We're not sure why it causes that, but observed that it smells more than the average toilet bowl installed in our fam/friends' places :)

[@wertydun5100]

@@haylivk Thank you for your reply. Very curious to know is the flushing system not powerful enough? My reason for asking is because I am thinking whether I should change out the HDB toilet bowl for my coming new flat.

[@haylivk]

@@wertydun5100 Hm, it's ok for us but we would change it if given another choice due to the smell and its size. It boils down to personal pref, and doing an on-site recce might help to decide which is better for you. Hope this helps! 😊

[@wertydun5100]

@@haylivk Thank you 😊 and everyone take care!

[@KimbapTime]

Hello! May I know where your floating desk is from? The one with the electrical compartment :)

[@haylivk]

The desk is a built-in one :)

[@sereneashley524]

Very useful video, thank you for sharing!

[@haylivk]

Very happy to have helped you with our experiences!🥰

[@Livelovelaughes]

This is so good and informative

[@haylivk]

Thank you Julie, glad it was helpful for you 😊

[@pxiao1]

hi, thanks for the video. may i know what is your sink height?

[@haylivk]

20cm, ours is this model: shope.ee/8p70v2C5Jo

[@kennytan5055]

thanks for sharing the tips. reno is really complicated process and kills a lot of brain cells. I am currently in the process of looking for ID. Do you mind to share the cost of reno? appreciate

[@haylivk]

Haha ikr 😅 Lots of variables in reno cost; for our scope of work, ours was 37k for reno (tiling, electrical, carpentry etc) + 20K for furniture, fittings and appliances. Would be most accurate if you used your own scope of works to get multiple quotes. All the best!

[@chelsialqx88]

Thanks for sharing this video is awesome! May i check if you engaged an ID or actually do the work directly with a contractor? 🙂

[@haylivk]

Glad to have helped! We engaged an ID, though we ended up doing a lot of the prep/coordination ourselves 😆

[@pyt6631]

8:00 if your skirting lines are aligning with the tiles, you will end up having a messy looking skirting full of vertical lines as the floor tiles in your video are meeting the wall on the short end of the tiles. Great video and editing overall that describes the problems clearly. 👍🏻 I think we have to know ourselves and our habits when doing Reno and don't be a "standard Singaporean who must follow template". I know the dish rack is not for me as I need to raise my arm and tiptoe. Instead I bought an over-the-sink dish rack from taobao where my stuff are so much more easily accessible when I need them and at eye level too. Eventually all these small inconveniences may eat into your life. Also, do you know built-in dishrack is very troublesome to repair cos u need to find the parts that fit... For powerpoints at the kitchen countertop area, I make sure to have sufficient space for my hand to grab the appliance sockets when plug in and out. So I don't have to "acrobatic" my arm and hand due to only enough space to operate at certain angle ... Also, I chose to have drawers with handles so I can pull them easily with one finger while I'm carrying things. Hope this helps.

[@ahcatmeow3956]

Agreed, I felt that the owner didn't know what they want or maybe they don't understand what they really need. They seems to be following what the designer or contractor said.. and most likely they did not monitor what the contactor did during their reno. My comments might be too much but that is my honest opinion. Because too many loops holes before she pointed those things.

[@pyt6631]

@@ahcatmeow3956 a valid point on monitoring the contractors during reno. Homeowners will know their item placements best while IDs may forget or miss as they have multiple projects. For example contractor C does something after contractor A but contractor B has not yet done his stuff and C doesn't know here or there supposed to have something else. However that is also dependent on the homeowners' awareness of how things connect. Neh mind, we all learn from our journeys !

[@haylivk]

@@pyt6631 thanks for coming back to comment! I’m sure that it’ll be helpful to someone who might chance upon your comment amidst their reno. Glad that you found systems that work for you!:)

[@raymondchow8722]

The stove top should definitely be at least 3 burners. I have a four burner model at 86cm width. Even it's the wider variety but the fourth burner is never used mainly because of crowding. Also I am not a line cook so I can't handle cooking 4 items at once. Haha

[@haylivk]

Hahaha I’ve trouble juggling 2 items 😂 Oh, seldom see 4-burners around. Agree that 3 would be useful 😊

[@IdzwanIsmail]

Nice tips. Was yours a new bto? My ID advised that having a slope instead of curb at the toilet requires some form of hacking and will damage waterproofing hence unable to do

[@haylivk]

Thank you! Yes, mine was an SBF :) Thanks for sharing this info! Agree, I’ve just learnt that this is mainly possible for resale flats for the same reason from one of the comments here too 😊

[@limwsv]

Ouch! I really feel for you... Is the work done together with an ID? If yes, the ID should have done a space plan for you and catch most of the problem first. For example, have you consider that when the fridge dies 10 - 15 years later, you may not be able to find one of the same dimensions? The cabinet overhanging the fridge will become a problem then.

[@haylivk]

Sadly yes, it was done with our ID. Agree that a plan would really help. Good point about the overhanging cabinet, we didn’t think of that! Though a shorter one may fit with an awkward gap on top.

[@zzy341]

That’s a lot of fail in one reno! I am a first time homeowner and have had all planned almost the opposite of yours. The only thing I had similar is the 2 stove instead of 3 and that itself have been considered as so: if you squeeze the 3rd stove in, chances are it’s too squeezy to use 3 all at the same time. Moreover, there’s way more cleaning to be done since food residue / oil will splatter onto middle stove easily. My advice, stick to 2 and utilise your oven/microwave/air fryer/pressure cooker, or if really needed to, a standalone induction cooker as your 3rd stove. There you go, one issues solved. 😊 (by the way I am also using kompacplus and yes it’s too thin for my liking too!)

[@haylivk]

We didn't really consider them as fails as we're still living comfortably, just things we'd do differently. The stove isn't rly an issue for us, but appreciate your suggestion :)

[@zzy341]

@@haylivk oops didn’t expect your reply but still thanks for sharing as it should be helpful to first time homeowners. We were lucky to have stayed with my parents before we got our house so during that time we note down what is good and what should be improved and had a good idea on what we wanted to do. It also helps that my ID gave me the full control on everything even down to the tiny details. You might also wanted to push up your TV console slightly higher so that the plugs can be assessed from inside the cabinet instead? I drilled holes on back of my standalone TV console and stick the extension plugs on the inside of my TV console. Works well for me and looks neat. And can save money as only needed one power outlet.

[@haylivk]

@@zzy341 haha yea, having some downtime so am replying all the comments I missed 😅Ah yes, we'd love to make the console higher as well, but were unable too cos IKEA's console legs had a fixed height. Thanks for the tip :)

[@SherylYeo321]

We're also thinking of doing this video! Haha. But why didn't you have 3D renders? I thought that was one of the plus points of getting an ID?

[@haylivk]

Yup, was expecting one. Until he said that having drawings will incur additional cost, and will delay the project even further cos he has to engage external parties to do up the drawings. That’s where the trust started to go downhill... He told us to bring the samples (tiles/laminate) onsite and judge, cos it’s more useful than renders as the lighting will be more accurate 🤦🏻‍♀️ I’m so glad this is all over hahaha. Looking forward to your version of this!!

[@SherylYeo321]

@@haylivk what the. Just.. Wow. I can see why the trust went downhill haha.

[@haylivk]

@@SherylYeo321 learning exp!😊

[@skizger]

@@haylivk wow the only reason I need to engage an ID is seriously so I could visualize.. cause I’m bad at it.. your ID is bad.. I’m currently in the ID selection stage, Hope I don’t meet ID like yours.. terrible. .. and oh ya your video is very helpful! Thanks!!!

[@haylivk]

@@skizger glad you found it helpful; all the best in your ID selection!😊

[@chongyvonne291]

@Hayliv K Hi hi.. chanced upon your video and was attracted by your kitchen bi-fold door and the color :) would you mind to share some details about it? :) Thanks!

[@haylivk]

Hi Yvonne! It's a PD door and the frame colour is code 22. Hope this helps! :)

[@chongyvonne291]

@@haylivk thank you for your reply :) May I know yours is it 2 panel tempered glass? thanks

[@josephinepoh1723]

Hi Hayliv, may I know where did you get your kitchen sink? It's really unique. You're the first person that I saw with a white ceramic kitchen sink. Usually people would purchase a metal one. Why made you decide to buy this?

[@haylivk]

Hi Josephine! We bought it online, but you can also get it in-store: shp.ee/krig9p9. I wanted to avoid the scratches we usually see in the metal sinks, and decided to go for this one as it fits our colour scheme well too :) So far still pretty white after 1.5years, with bouts of cleaning/scrubs ~once in 1-2 months 😊

[@xksmdksmndjsj7408]

This The very honest,true and suppose help by giving The True and Right Review.. Exolanation with Honesty is kind Hard To Understand as Mostly Buyers Do Not Know Much Abt The Right And Good Renovation It Is...So With Your Sharing And In Some Explanation is Like A Guides Helping Us,Thank You So Much i can say and surre i will save ur (vd)/will keep in mind of ur Kindness Advice And is Very Appreciate So Much Really Help And i luv it.👍👍👍👍🥰💕💕💕

[@haylivk]

Aww thank you for your sweet and kind words! 😊💜 I'm so glad that this was able to help you to prevent making the mistakes that we did (if you agree). I appreciate you spending time to watch my video, and making the effort to leave such a kind comment too. All the best for your house reno ok, and have a great day ✨🥰

[@KuRaRa31]

In your toilet, did you rearrange your toilet bowl to fit beside your sink?

[@haylivk]

Hi Clara! We didn’t reposition it and that was its original location :)

[@jaslyn1205]

enjoyed the video! how much did your kitchen reno cost?

[@haylivk]

Not sure of the kitchen cost alone, but total reno was 37k including electrical, tiling, carpentry etc :)

[@ngyingqian218]

I chose non built in kitchen stove with glass stove may not look nice but it's practical when it comes to changing it as kitchen stove will be spoilt one day

[@haylivk]

That's a great idea, and also gives you the flexibility to rearrange your countertop!

[@davidchen376]

Hey, I really like your interior design! Could I check what's the contractor you hired for the kitchen's folding door? I really like the thin rim, wide glass and top-hung design!

[@haylivk]

Thanks David! However we didn't have a positive experience with our ID/cons, so we wouldn't recommend them :) The doors are from PD door, and I'm sure they'd provide installation services too 😊

[@davidchen376]

@@haylivk thanks! I can tell about the ID hahaha

[@haylivk]

@@davidchen376 Oops 😂Hope you'll find something you like!

[@OpulentRed]

Adoiii, sayang... You got a lousy contractor and ID, thus the shoddy workmanship and terrible communication on some crucial placements of items, e.g. the fan and the electrical point. This is why it took me 7 different quotations and almost 2 months to decide which contractor is worthy of my slaving away to pay 5 years of repayment debts. My contractor has been in the business for over 30 years and my ID has 15 years of experience which whom I can communicate efficiently. I'm so glad I took the time. Anyway, thank you for sharing your experience.

[@haylivk]

Great to hear that your reno process turned out well! Indeed, finding suitable partners is crucial for a smooth working relationship. Would you be willing to share your ID/con contacts? Can KIV until our next flat’s reno 😆

[@OpulentRed]

@@haylivk I decided to engage Hamid and Sons as they have a great track record of over 30 years in business and over 15k projects completed. Winnie was my ID and she is ever so warm and friendly, importantly we communicate at the same frequency. I also recommend Casa Interior and Darwin Interior too. These companies have been around for decades.

[@haylivk]

@@OpulentRed ah ok, thanks so much for sharing, will definitely keep them in mind :)

[@tomcannon6376]

Was there an ID for this renovation? Why did they overlook some of these basic errors?

[@haylivk]

Yeah, we engaged one. Perhaps our ID was learning together with us at that point in time... 😅

[@MrPengPeng123]

@@haylivk care to share which ID you hired 😅?

[@haylivk]

@@MrPengPeng123 pls DM me on IG :)

[@ericachua2379]

What is the laminate of the kitchen cabinets?

[@magnette86]

Can I check where you got your tv console from?

[@haylivk]

Here :) www.ikea.com/sg/en/p/besta-tv-bench-with-doors-white-stained-oak-effect-lappviken-white-stained-oak-effect-s59299140/

[@briantan2963]

Nice video presentation. Frankly, half of what you mentioned, your ID didn't do a good job advising you. They probably just assume and build whatever you told them. Like the toilet tiles, the tiler or ID in charge should supervise the work, Fan/curtain, the kitchen carpentry, tile skirting alignments etc... they should've cautioned you about the Dos/Don'ts. Eg: No fan near/below the ceiling light to prevent annoying "shadow rattling" etc... Thumbs down on your contractor/ID.

[@haylivk]

100% spot on. They made assumptions (making carpentry decisions/changes without consulting us) and told us that it was better for us. When I mentioned that the defects had to be highlighted (and not discovered by us during cleaning), he said my standards are too high. Well I guess the price I paid for an ID is too high too...

[@briantan2963]

@@haylivk Get the headache, especially the first time renovating, or even 2nd time. I'm planning my kitchen renovation currently. Many many small details, non too big to consider. Materials, type of installation, height, depth etc..., drawer rails type, especially where the cut is for the counter-top. In my current kitchen, the counter-top joint did not re-apply silicone and after heavy usage and water seep in, now cabinets rotted. Another headache especially electricals. Some IDs the way the quote is assuming the "standard", and their standard is the easiest work for them with the highest margin. Some IDs put more "heart" to it, asking what you gonna use this drawer for etc... and if you gonna put heavy stuff, they recommend this and that... which prevents headache next time.

[@haylivk]

Sorry to hear that about your kitchen, thanks for sharing! A similar incident happened to my in-law’s neighbour and they too had to replace the entire kitchen carpentry. Agree that no details are too small to consider, and there’s so many permutations of how things can turn out to be. I’m sure your new kitchen will turn out great with your level of attention to details! All the best 💪🏻

[@raveenmisra2954]

great video. thank you for the insight.

[@haylivk]

Glad to share 😊🙏🏻

[@user-qi8ct7kv9f]

my god..thanks for the vid..having hired ID..will keep it as guideline..

[@haylivk]

Most welcome! Glad it's useful for you :)

[@23Jboy]

seems like the only reno regrets is that your ID is incompetent, all the measurement should have taken into consideration for future living habits, most probably you went ahead with a contractor? Anyway i love the attitude towards the house despite it's short-coming and do up such a helpful video for future home owners. Well done

[@haylivk]

Thank you for your kind comment!😊 We went ahead with an ID actually, but agree that he’s more of a contractor than ID as we had to think through many of the considerations ourselves. My husband was a key influence in helping me to see the positives. Thanks for watching☺️