Sweeten’s guide to Chicago remodeling costs in 2021, including kitchen, bath, and whole-home (plus outdoor budgets and permit tips!)(Above) Remodel by Sweeten general contractor Christina. Photo: Chicago Home Photos The budgeting step can be nerve-wracking for first-time Chicago renovators. You’ve finally moved on from daydreaming to starting a remodel of your home. Start by gathering some basic details: know what you can actually afford, and plan to add a small reserve on top of that. The materials you want to use also factor in, as well as how much work will be done. Plus, everything that isn’t visible—the infrastructure—will impact your costs. This can be a lot to keep track of, especially if this is your first time renovating. Fortunately, Sweeten has done some of the legwork in this guide to Chicago remodeling costs. This guide focuses on some of the major remodeling categories: whole house remodels, kitchen, bath, additions—as well as permits. You can use these details to create an accurate budget for a Chicago-area renovation. Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and up to $50,000 in renovation financial protection—for free. Here’s a breakdown of typical starting costs (including labor and materials) gathered from Sweeten contractors and the 2021 Cost vs. Value Report:
Keep in mind that every professional contractor will want to have a detailed conversation with you. They will also inspect your home before developing an estimate specific to your needs and wants. Pro tip: Do not wait. The pandemic has caused a backlog in the supply of materials in many sectors. For homeowners interested in renovating, it’s smart to schedule and sign with a contractor to lock in your material prices. You’ll also want to book a start date on the contractor’s schedule. If you do wait, prices will only continue to go up and your material order starts at the back of a long queue. Chicago remodeling costs per square footGut renovation vs. non-gut renovationGutting a home pretty much means starting from scratch. You’ll take everything down to the studs or framework, and/or you’ll knock down walls. Because it’s more intricate, a gut job starts at the higher end of the $100 to $200 psf range. By contrast, a remodel of the space within existing walls will be at the lower end. For example, remodeling a 700-square-foot, one-bedroom condo may range from $50,000 to $70,000, while a gut reno likely will exceed $100,000. This work usually involves running new plumbing pipes and wiring, moving doorways, and possibly installing new flooring. Costs for a full home gut renovation start at $100 per square foot. Take note: this scope of work is extensive! Expect demo, framing, insulation and drywall, wiring, plumbing, heating/cooling systems, millwork, paint, flooring, tile, light fixtures, electronics, and all finishes. (This excludes appliances, which can significantly increase costs, depending on how high-end they are.) According to Chicago-based Sweeten contractor Ryan, “A whole-house renovation—say, 3,000 square feet—would cost $200,000, at the low end, and start at $400,000 at the high end. It all depends on the materials chosen.” Wet rooms—connected to a water supply, such as bathrooms or kitchens—typically start at $250 psf. In the city, bathrooms in condos or co-ops can be as small as 30 square feet. However, in freestanding homes, they are typically larger than 5’ x 8’. High-end renovations that are fully custom with luxury materials can cost upwards of $700 per square foot. Architectural design and drawings, demolition, construction, materials, fixtures, lighting, and finishes are included in the fee. Contractors may build in overage fees to their estimates. This allows for the unexpected--which definitely can happen--to be covered. Overages are usually 10-15% of the project cost. (Sweeten recommends that the renovator reserve at least 10-15% above the bid as well). Don’t let the numbers shock you, though: the beauty of using a general contractor is that it’s one-stop shopping. Working with a contractor covers pretty much all the trades required for the job. This spares you the work of hiring individual tradesmen to complete the various aspects of your project. Chicago-based Sweeten contractor Brad recommends being realistic about how much you can spend. “You can’t buy a $100,000 ring on a $5,000 budget. Nail down your contractor first; they know pricing. And add 15 percent for unexpected conditions.” Average cost of a kitchen remodel in ChicagoBudget kitchen renovation costsA typical starting point is $22,000 based on a 100-square-foot kitchen. According to the 2021 Cost vs. Value Report, the average is $31,004 for 200 square feet. This translates to stock cabinets, hardware, and countertops, plus swapping outdated appliances with newer and more energy-efficient models. Mid-grade kitchen renovation costsSweeten has found that a 100-square-foot space at this finish level can start at $30,000. For a kitchen at 200 square feet, expect to pay an average of $81,820, according to the Cost vs. Value Report. This includes custom lighting, updating 30 linear feet of semi-custom wood cabinets, new countertops, a 3′ x 5′ island, double-tub stainless steel sink with single-lever faucet, garbage disposal, built-in dishwasher, energy-efficient range, vented hood, built-in microwave, dishwasher, and new flooring. High-end kitchen costsBased on what Sweeten has seen, expect starting costs to be $37,500 for a 100-square-foot room at this finish level. According to the Cost vs. Value Report, a kitchen at 200 square feet starts at $160,000. Expect top-flight custom cabinets with interior detailing like partitioned drawers, pullout shelves, pop up and down storage, stone, quartz, or porcelain countertops, stone or imported tile backsplash. Also included are custom lights, under-cabinet lighting, hardwood, stone or porcelain flooring, and typical high-end appliances. Sweeten contractor Ryan has seen kitchens cost $50,000 for a gut remodel, and at the high end, closer to $100,000. “Those figures,” he says, “can vary greatly, as some cabinetry alone might cost $80,000.” Average bathroom remodel costs in ChicagoBudget bathroom costsA starting point can be $15,000—$20,000 for a 35-square-foot-space with budget-friendly finishes from big box stores like Walmart, Home Depot, Menards, and Lowe’s. As this is a wet space, plumbing, electrical insulation, and exhausts, as well as correcting misaligned walls and floors will be part of the job. Mid-grade bathroomFor a 35-square-foot space, a remodel will start at $21,000. According to 2021 Cost vs. Value Report, $27,570 is the average cost for this type of project. This includes a recessed medicine cabinet, standard toilet, solid-surface vanity counter, and a porcelain tub. High-end bathroomThe typical cost at this finish level starts at $28,500 for 35-square-feet. The 2021 Cost vs. Value Report cites an average of $82,838 for a high-end renovation, based on a bathroom over 200 square feet. Features at this level include new ductwork, radiant heated floors, custom cabinetry, separate shower, freestanding tub, and custom lighting. Costs for a master suite additionMid-grade master suite addition costsEstimated costs are around $452 psf or $177,273 for a 24′ x 16′ space, including double vanity, freestanding tub, separate shower, walk-in closet, dressing area, according to 2021 Cost vs. Value Report. Whether it’s a ground-level addition, a basement remodel, or a second-floor addition, accessing rough-ins for plumbing will vary and affect pricing. High-end master suite addition costsFor a 32′ x 20′ master suite with a separate sitting area and large master bath over a crawl space, costs are around $553 psf or $359,232, according to 2021 Cost vs. Value Report. This kind of project includes custom shelving, built-in storage, as well as a walk-in closet and dressing area with windows. Basement renovation costs in ChicagoA starting budget for a basement is around $100 psf. At the low end, the cost averages $40,000 and includes a bathroom with a shower. Flooring options can vary significantly, including laminate, vinyl, engineered wood, porcelain tile, or stained concrete. At the high end, a project for $75,000 may include a 5′ x 8′-foot bathroom with a shower, a wet bar, and flooring in an overall space measuring 20′ x 30′. Costs for a basement renovation can be affected by multiple factors. Consider the existing condition of the space, if plumbing pipes need to be installed or moved, if new water service is required and if bracing needs to be done to eliminate structural supports in the middle of a space. Also take into consideration ceiling height, since Chicago basements are typically 8 feet or less, and as low as 6’7″. If you want to raise the ceiling, that requires digging out and underpinning the foundation. In addition, it’s necessary to assure the space is waterproof. A perimeter drain tile system is installed (repaired or extended). Connecting it to a sump pump also is important to consider, and this cost can start at around $2,500. Chicago remodeling costs for permitsThe permit process for renovating varies from Chicago to its suburbs, with each of the village’s or town’s governing bodies determining requirements and fees. In Chicago, permits are obtained through the Building Department. The issue in common is safety and compliance with building codes. In Winnetka, remodeling permits cost $30 per $1,000 of construction; new construction is $1.30 per square foot of new gross area. There also are permit fees for plumbing, electrical service ($9,800 for 200 amp service; $21,000 for 400 amp service), furnace, and AC as well as roofing and pools. In Hinsdale, the permit fee for remodeling is calculated on two percent of the value of construction. In addition, expect to pay permit fees for demolition ($3,000). In Chicago, applications for building permits must include architectural drawings and names of all licensed contractors—plumbers, electricians, HVAC contractors (usually supplied by the general contractor). There is no one size fits all. But expect to pay between $1,500 and $2,000 minimally for a whole house remodel, major kitchen, and/or bath. The larger the project, the more the fee, ranging to as high as $10,000. There’s also an Easy Permit Program for small projects that do not require architectural drawings (usually available the same day). There are nominal costs (a few hundred dollars for plumbing and electrical permits), which usually are pulled by those contractors. ©2021 Zonda Media, a Delaware corporation. Complete data from the 2021 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com. Find expert Chicago general contractors near youPost your project on Sweeten and we’ll match you with multiple vetted general contractors to provide estimates for your renovation, then help you evaluate the estimates. Sweeten also checks in with you until the project is completed. When you brainstorm with your general contractor to develop an accurate budget, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying the dream space you’ve always craved. -- Have a good handle on HOA (Homeowners Association) fees before you purchase your condo, co-op, or detached house. Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten. Via https://civilco.construction/chicago-remodeling-costs-kitchen-bath-whole-home/
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More and more people love to use induction cooker, but sometimes they are accidentally spilling the soup or sauce on the cooker surface and fail to clean it immediately. After a period of time, there are dirt spots and burning spots, we may find it difficult to clean. We will teach you effective ways to clean the induction cooker and the maintenance of it. Interior Design: Key Concept Ways of Cleaning an Induction CookerWhen cooking with an induction cooker, it is recommended to simply clean it when there is residual temperature after each cooking to prevent food residues from staying on the glass surface and becoming a difficult-to-clean spot over time. If there is stubborn dirt on the stove, there is a chance that the bottom of the pot scratched the glass surface of the induction cooker, causing dirt to accumulate, or the food will stay between the pot and the induction cooker and caused scorching. The following methods can be used for cleaning: Use hot water and add white vinegar, soak the dirty area, and place a towel soaked in white vinegar on the dirty area for one hour. Allow the white vinegar to penetrate, prepare a scraper with a flat blade, and then scrape away the dirt. Keep the angle between the blade and the glass surface at about 30 degrees to remove most of the dirt. In addition, there are some induction cookers cleaning detergents in the market, just like white vinegar, which also has the effect of softening stubborn dirt. You can also wait for a period of time to let it penetrate, then use a soft cloth or a specialized glass scraper to remove the dirt. Remember to pay attention to whether the cleaning detergents are suitable for your induction cooker and follow the instructions on the detergent to avoid any malpractice and result in damaging your induction cooker. Interior Design: Lemonfridge Studio Precautions for Maintenance Work of Induction Cooker
5 Major Taboos When Using Induction CookerIf you want the induction cooker to have a longer lifespan, in addition to the above five maintenance precautions, there are five more taboos to pay attention to. The induction cooker is likely to be damaged if any one of the five taboos is committed.
The content and pictures of this article are provided and uploaded by the author. It does not represent the opinion of the company. If there are any copyright issues, please contact HKDecoman. HKDecoman, now going global as Deco-Man, is a Hong Kong-based renovation platform which provides professional consultancy services and pioneers in the development of A.I. homeowner-engineer matching. We aim at educating the public about the art of home renovation and have our eyes on transforming the traditional renovation industry, bringing standardisation, transparency, convenience and automation to the business.
Via https://civilco.construction/cleaning-tips-5-major-taboos-and-maintenance-methods-of-induction-cooker/ A couple aims to find a vetted contractor for their East Village kitchen renovationâfinally
Wear-and-tear of a well-used kitchen showsIn the 23 years since Susan and Carl bought a one-bedroom East Village co-op, theyâve made a lot of changes. âThe history is long in this space,â said Susan, including withstanding 16 years of kids and dogs. She isnât exaggerating. This couple bought the neighboring studio apartment in 1997, bumping up their square footage to 1,400. They hired someone to do the bare minimum to connect the two apartments and did everything else themselves. A few years later, while an âineptâ contractor did a poor job of fixing up the bathroom, the couple went on to do a DIY job with the kitchen. A leaky dishwasher eventually ruined the flooring. SWEETEN_Susan Horwitz_Kitchen_Before04 SWEETEN_Susan Horwitz_Kitchen_Before06 SWEETEN_Susan Horwitz_Kitchen_During08
With low interest rates, they decided to refinance their mortgage and renovate, which brings this story to the present day. Despite those DIY fixes, the kitchen wasnât at its full potential. A dropped ceiling in certain areas eliminated what could be very useful storage space. The recessed canned lights hanging from the ceiling also made the kitchen feel small. Even with a cutout in the wall toward the living room, the layout didnât suit entertaining. âWhenever we had company,â said Susan, âeveryone would squeeze into the end of the kitchen while I cooked and doled out snacks.â Finding the right expertise to get the job doneWith the disaster of the bathroom contractor etched in their minds, Susan and Carl promised themselves to scrutinize the next person they worked with. They found Sweeten and posted their project, a choice that paid off many times over. For example, they discovered a beam that they feared would force them to shorten the cabinets and give up storage space. But the Sweeten contractor they chose âknew exactly how to notch out the back of the taller cabinets to accommodate the beam,â said Susan. The couple spent hours on Pinterest and decided against uniformity in the long, narrow space, opting for family- and pet-friendly materials and layout instead. âWe wanted to eliminate the bowling alley feel,â she said. This was achieved by mixing cabinets and shelves, as well as glass and solid doors, and horizontal and vertical lines. Moving the window gate from the inside to outside was another simple fix that made a big difference. That change now enables them to open the bottom half of the gate. They opted for a painted backsplash rather than tile. âIt leaves open the possibility of changing colors when you get tired of it,â she said. Lessons learned from this East Village renovationThe job went smoothly with no issues with her contractorâeven though the âconstruction dust was hard to live withââthe couple still has tips for other renovators: 1. Triple your timeline estimate to get a realistic sense of how long a renovation will take, and 2. When your kitchen is out of order, thereâs a lot you can do in a slow cooker and rice cooker, including pasta! Bonus: This East Village renovation was full of pleasant surprises along the way. When their Sweeten contractor ripped out the dropped ceiling, Susan and Carl had expected to find something that would slow the project down. Instead, no wires, pipes or anything structural was found inside. âCompared to any other [renovation] jobs, nothing significant held us back with this one,â said Susan. Renovation Materials:Stone Studio floor tiles: Verde 1999. Grimslov and Hittarp kitchen cabinets: Ikea. Cabinet hardware: Rusticware Hardware Company. Countertops: European Granite and Marble. Island countertop: Country Mouldings. Sink: Ikea. Grohe faucet: Faucet.com. Refrigerator: Samsung. Dishwasher: Bosch. Dacor stove and hood: eBay. Ceiling lights: Schoolhouse Electric & Supply. Pendant lights: Ikea. Paint color in Sea Star, #2123-30: Benjamin Moore. Stools: Target. â Removing a difficult-to-access loft space and raising the ceiling allowed Emily and Trey to install taller kitchen cabinets for greater storage. Refer your renovating friends to Sweeten and youâll both receive a $250 Visa gift card when they sign a contract with a Sweeten general contractor. Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each projectâs location, budget, and scope, helping until project completion. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when youâre ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten. Via https://civilco.construction/in-this-east-village-renovation-a-diy-jumble-gets-fixed/ Hey friends! I finally have that home and life update for you today with more details following my post about a big dream coming true for us (catch up here if you missed that post). This will be part one of the story (it’s almost a book, ha!), so grab a cup of coffee or tea and get cozy! If you just want to get to the news right away, here it is! We are MOVING! We are selling our house and are in the process of buying a new home. I can hardly believe it, but it’s such a whirlwind but fun story! Read on for the backstory (and know that I will continue to share updates as things continue to unfold!). I can’t believe been sharing our family, life, and our home stories on the blog since 2007, longer than most of the home influencers on the internet, ha! Fourteen years as of a month ago. It’s not always been easy to know how to live a private life but also share one’s life on the internet with grace, integrity, and consistency. To share the blessings, the twists and turns, the unknowns and even hard times in front of hundreds of thousands of people you don’t really know feels quite vulnerable at times. But my blog readers have been following along since the beginning. I loved sharing our story with you! We are heading into a new season of life and with it will come a new and exciting change for our family! The past year has been a roller coaster of emotions, not only because of 2020 but just knowing our kids were going to be heading out again. Our empty nester life would begin for real this year (my husband and I were empty nesters for just a few months two years ago before the pandemic changed that!). After years of praying for clarity in our future “empty nester life” and searching for the right next path, many pieces of that puzzle began falling into place just in this past year and many only in the past two months. Some of the final pieces fell into place just this week! Honestly, it’s felt like a series of miracles and dreams coming true. We are so thrilled that we can now see our destination and we are almost there. We are quite family oriented, as you have probably gathered. We have been quite accustomed to living near our kids and all of them and their pets moving in and out over this past year. We loved every minute of the unexpected and extended time with our family. We would’ve kept them all here forever had it been what was best for them! A few pieces of our own puzzle had to do with decisions our kids would make this year: Courtney moved to an apartment in Bellingham this year (1.5 hours north of Seattle). Kylee and her husband just bought a house in Portland (3 hours south of Seattle). Our son Luke made the decision to move to a house with friends while he finishes his last two years of college (he just moved out last week!). All of our kids chose to move in slightly different directions on the map. It might not have been our “ideal” scenario, if a perfect one ever existed like us all living next door to each other, ha! But our kids are building their own lives as they should! We’re so proud of them! And we’re all in the Pacific Northwest! I know many times kids end up in other parts of the country or world, so we’re happy being close enough to drive to all of them. Waiting and watching for each of them get settled in their decisions and homes helped us to feel free to begin visualizing our own direction. We had several things we wanted to find clarity on over the past few years. One was regarding if or how long we wanted to stay in our current home. We moved here six years ago so our son could go to high school near his siblings who lived in Seattle. We never had committed to staying past those four years of high school, but we were open to whatever the future would hold. Over the years I felt pretty certain I didn’t want to move. Many times I said we were staying here and I meant it. HA! We have loved living in this house and I don’t like moving :). We had so many plans for this place so we also wanted to continue to work on it! But even though we love living here, I started to feel in my heart that more change was coming. At first when our kids made their decisions on where they would live, it made sense to us to stay here. We didn’t really have anywhere else we wanted or needed to go. But just as we started to settle into that idea of another few years here, things started to shift. We soon realized there would be a change for us, too! Life is full of surprises, isn’t it? One weekend several weeks ago, our kids along with my parents and niece and nephew walked along a beautiful boardwalk in Bellingham (near where my daughter Courtney lives). My parents began talking about how wonderful would be for them to move up here closer to us and the water and all of the adventures they would have. As we were driving home (and after some conversations in the coming days), I began to feel a stirring in my soul that maybe there was something more for us than just staying where we were. Following our day on that boardwalk, I talked to my dad more on the phone. I heard his heart and some of his dreams. I knew my mom had dreams. My husband and I had dreams for our next home and our empty nester life, too. Our dreams all seemed to come together in a way that all made sense to us in this very moment in time. For the first time in a long time, my husband and I were free to make some new decisions and dream new dreams. You don’t always know which experiences of your life are shaping the next part of your story, or which moments will become a significant turning point. Once you are able to start reflecting back on those moments, you can see where you need to go, or find that you are on the right path. That’s how I started to feel. It became clear that so many parts of our history and the dreams we’ve had were preparing us for this very season. When I was a kid we had a sailboat and spent a lot of time traveling around the San Juan Islands. Being up here in Washington around the water brought back those memories for us. Once we had kids of our own, my parents bought a beach house on the Oregon Coast near Cannon Beach. It was where our family gathered every summer and holiday. You might remember me showing it on the blog! You can take a tour of it here. We loved that house and Cannon Beach, but they sold it after our family moved to Washington years ago.When my dad shared a dream he had to recreate something like the experience we had with our beach house, but up here near the San Juan Islands, that’s when the lightbulb went off in my head. As my husband and I started to think about that vision, as well as reflect on our own dreams and what we wanted to do next, we realized we could live like we were on vacation every day :). Why not? Every day is so precious, life should be an adventure with the people you love! But tempted as I am to rush decisions at times, I find the most at peace when I learn to let go and just trust. So that’s what I did. I just let go and let the story unfold. Through those experiences on the boardwalk that day and in the conversations and circumstances that followed, it began to make sense to us for many reasons that we could best create a life of adventure for all of us by moving closer to the San Juans. I didn’t know what that would look like, exactly, but even without knowing all of the answers or even the timeline, I felt so much peace in it! This move wouldn’t be about finding the perfect dream house, it was first and foremost about seizing the adventure of life by the sea. But as a homebody, it had always been hard for me picture a path forward without the house. With the market as wild as it is, it all seemed a little crazy. Would we just sell our house without anywhere to go? I prayed like crazy that we would make the right decision about selling our home, that we would find the right place at the right time, and that I wouldn’t get in the way of whatever was meant to be. There is a beautiful area not too far North of where we live now that I’ve felt drawn to go explore, for years I couldn’t get it out of my head. I felt inspired that it was finally time to go take a look! We’d actually been in the area many times before, but had never looked at it as a potential place to live. It seemed like it might be the perfect destination for us to begin this new season of life, but we wanted to see it for ourselves. So my husband and I hopped in the car that next weekend and went a little road trip! Little did we know that day we’d not only find the perfect location for the life we dreamed about, but the home of our dreams was there waiting for us, too. Stay tuned for PART TWO of our new home story! Be sure to follow along on Instagram HERE for behind the scenes, and subscribe to my newsletter here to stay in the loop! Via https://civilco.construction/were-moving-part-one-the-inspired-room/ Demolition, amount of work, a home’s condition, and alternate living arrangements all affect gut renovation costs
Gutting a home requires a different level of owner commitment than a smaller renovation project. Here, Sweeten provides some guidance on points to consider when planning a major project like this. Sweeten matches home renovation projects with vetted general contractors, offering advice, support, and up to $50,000 in renovation financial protection—for free. What is a gut renovation?Gut renovating a home is more than an extensive remodel. It means taking the walls down to the studs, removing existing interior doors and trim, cabinets, sinks, and exposing the structure of the home. It often includes replacing windows and exterior doors, the roof, and replacing most or all plumbing and electrical. Gutting also involves removing materials before you remodel. Calculating gut renovation costsSweeten provides city-specific renovation cost guides, but keep in mind that material costs and timelines have shifted. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, prices for materials and labor have jumped, drastically in some cases and in some locales. Subsequently, it’s a good idea to add 20% to the materials budget and talk with your contractor about timing, materials, and budget. Pro tip: Do not wait. The pandemic has caused a backlog in the supply of materials in many sectors. For homeowners interested in renovating, it’s smart to schedule and sign with a contractor to lock in your material prices. You’ll also want to book a start date on the contractor’s schedule. If you do wait, prices will probably continue to go up and your material order will be at the back of a long queue. The project scope: Must-haves & Nice-to-havesWhen making a gut renovation budget, it’s important to create a list of “must-haves.” These are elements that are definitely required for the project. Afterward, make a second wishlist of “nice-to-haves.” This includes all of the changes you’d like to see but may be willing to forgo as you consider your budget. It’s also crucial to be realistic about the condition of your home, as gut renovation costs can vary considerably by the condition of the structure. Updating the mechanical systems like the electrical panel and old plumbing can range from straightforward in a dated foursquare to challenging in a home located in a historic district. What are the existing conditions of the home?Ask your contractor about worst-case scenarios given your home’s age and history. Consider the budget contingency that will give you peace of mind when your project kicks off. Your contractor can’t price out every possible surprise, but you should feel confident that you have a partner who will help you problem-solve when challenges come up. Homeowners undertaking serious gut remodels should build in an extra cash reserve for issues that come up along the way. This definitely includes issues that come up once the walls are broken into! In this case, add more than 15% into your budget for a gut remodel. The most expensive rooms to gut renovateBathrooms contain the most plumbing and fixtures per square foot. Because of this, they tend to be the most expensive spaces in the house per square foot. Kitchens are next-most expensive, followed by the other living spaces. Should you leave or stay during a renovation?Yet another important factor: deciding where you’ll live during the project. Nearly anything is possible, so you probably can remain in the house during the project. However, staying elsewhere is preferable for most people because you’ll almost certainly have to deal with surprises. You might see a need for structural reinforcement, or you’ll come across mold or asbestos, and decide then that you should reside elsewhere for a while. Also, if you do choose to stay during the project, you’ll need to make sure that you’re legally allowed to do so, too. Your city’s building department is the place to inquire. Just remember that if you decide to stay in the home during the project to save money, you’ll still incur costs, and they could be substantial. Financial costs include delaying the project because you (or your things) are in the way. Non-financial costs could include a strain on daily family routines such as finding alternatives for when a kitchen or shower is being renovated. All those can result in financial costs, too. Your contractor will guide you through the cost for permits and regulations associated with your project, such as placing dumpsters. If your home is in a homeowner’s association, they will also have requirements you’ll need to meet. Demolition & Gut renovation costsThe demolition part of gutting a home is mostly labor and disposal costs, so it’s not really that expensive. However, removing plumbing pipes and drains and so on takes time. Outsourcing the demo or doing it as a DIY project doesn’t really save much money. For safety and hazard concerns, Sweeten recommends leaving demolition to the professionals. Note: that moving walls is not included in these costs. Moving load-bearing walls requires consulting with a structural engineer, and that could be $500—$1,000. Whenever you change walls around, you’ll need to build temporary support walls, so there’s another cost to add! Also, you may discover hazards like asbestos, lead paint, and mold. If you do, a pro will evaluate how extensive the problem is. These hazards are not DIY-friendly. In some places, you’re not legally permitted to deal with these dangerous materials, especially asbestos, which can only be handled by a professional. The general contractor and subcontractorsManaging an extensive construction project like a gut renovation is challenging. As such, you’ll benefit greatly from working with an experienced general contractor. A general contractor (GC) usually has steady and long-standing connections to many subcontractors, so communication often goes smoothly. They will orchestrate and schedule architects, engineers, plumbers, electricians, and other skilled labor. Architects and gut renovationsArchitects specialize in bringing ideas to fruition, and they must communicate with homeowners at a high level. An architect must have a crystal-clear vision of how to transform the current home into the space you dream of. Getting the input of the architect as early in the process as possible will be invaluable in helping you mentally walk through the steps in advance. Fortunately, Many Sweeten design-build firms have in-house architectural services. Also, some Sweeten contractors can refer an architect if the project needs one. Starting a gut renovationGut renovating a home is a major project. Having an understanding of the process with the guidance of the right general contractor and team sets you on a path for a smoother renovation. And a step closer to your dream home. -- Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation with Sweeten. Via https://civilco.construction/gut-renovation-costs-101-how-to-calculate-your-budget/ One of the best performers in the Aug 2021 BTO launch were the Hougang BTOs, more precisely Kovan Wellspring, which sits right next to Kovan MRT. Hougang Citrine, the other Hougang BTO that was launched, isn’t packed with as many amenities nearby, but it does have 5-room units to choose from. We look at both sites in our analysis and see the best units to go for. At a glance
The sitesWe can understand why Kovan Wellspring was so well received during the Aug 2021 sales exercise. The site, currently a car park, is sandwiched between Heartland Mall on one side and a wet market/food centre on the other. You also have Kovan MRT station right next to it. Within the site itself will be a revamped Paya Lebar Kovan Community Centre. Site for Kovan Wellspring. Stars of Kovan (mixed-use development) to the left and the neighbourhood centre to the right. Site for Kovan Wellspring. The site is also surrounded by a hawker centre, seen here at the far end of image. Just opposite the BTO along Upper Serangoon Road is a line of eateries popular amongst foodies, with famed eats like Yaowarat Thai Kway Chap and Punggol Nasi Lemak. The mixed-use development across the road, Stars of Kovan, also contains a number of eateries. There’s no shortage of food options here. Along the intersection between Upper Serangoon Road and Tampines Road. Besides the hustle and bustle because of the amenities in this Kovan BTO, traffic was also pretty heavy along Tampines Road and Upper Serangoon Road. The former is more of a concern, since there are stacks at Kovan Wellspring that are facing Tampines Road directly. This arterial road also leads into expressway, KPE, so traffic will likely be always busy. Along arterial road, Tampines Road. There is less fanfare over at Hougang Citrine as it has fewer amenities around the site. It sits at the edge of an industrial district and several depots. One of the newest additions near the site include a stack-up complex, Defu Industrial Park. This industrial park is set to collate a few of the existing industries around the site under one building and will house a workers’ dormitory as well as a Defu City Centre (~18-min walk) that will provide a range of amenities including F&B options, convenience stores, medical clinics and childcare centres. Site for Hougang Citrine. Much of the area is still relatively undeveloped. The downside to being near this new industrial city is that traffic along Hougang Ave 3 will likely pick up significantly once the industries move into the industrial complex. So there might be an increase in heavy vehicles moving about and around the area. Along Hougang Ave 3 Currently, the main amenities are located at the neighbourhood centre along Hougang Ave 1, approximately a 10-min walk away. There is a Prime supermarket there, a food centre and wet market as well as a couple of coffee shops. The area’s amenities are likely to be boosted by the upcoming Hougang BTOs in this area (set to launch in Nov 2021). Both BTOs sit relatively near Paya Lebar Air Base, which is set to relocate only from 2030 onwards, so aviation noise is still going to be an issue for a few years down the road if you move in by 2025 or 2026. Site Map for Kovan Wellspring. Site Map for Hougang Citrine Looking at the amenities for both sites, Kovan Wellspring is undoubtedly the winner. Most of the stacks there also have a North-South orientation, which will translate to breezier units. But being surrounded by all these amenities and having a community centre on site will mean foot, vehicular traffic and noise levels around the area will be significantly higher. The car park for the community centre is located on the site as well. For Hougang Citrine, its car park is located quite a distance away from some of the blocks. The good thing about this is that there is less noise and traffic impact from being near the car park, but the drawback is that drivers will have to walk quite a distance just to collect their vehicles. 4-room unit comparisons: Hougang Citrine versus Kovan WellspringSave for the 4-room units, there aren’t major differences for the rest of the unit types for both BTOs. Do note that only Hougang Citrine has 5-room units available. If you are opting for a 4-room flat, here’s a look at the two layouts available at Hougang Citrine and Kovan Wellspring: Here’s a comparison of the 4-room layouts:
Which unit to go for at Hougang Citrine?2-room flats The 2-room units are located at blocks 178A, 178B and 179A. Type 2s are bigger, giving you the option of an extra bedroom that can contain a single-sized bed. If you want a quieter stack, choose one that isn’t facing the areas where people tend to gather like the playgrounds and fitness corners. Do avoid stacks that are facing the main road and the site reserved for school. The site map indicates that all the main roads surrounding Hougang Citrine will have bus stops. Because buses run on a regular frequency, it can get quite noisy if you go with a road-facing stack. These are the stacks to pick for peace and quiet: 108, 110, 112, 186 and 188. For privacy, you’ll want to for a corner unit, away from the lifts and rubbish chutes and preferably one that is standalone without being attached to an adjacent unit. These are the best 2-room stacks for privacy: 116 and 134. Some of the stacks aren’t blocked by another stack in front of it, which can mean a breezier interior if you open the doors and windows to your unit. These stacks are likely to be relatively windy: 104, 144, 172. 3-room flats For 3-room flats, you can choose from stacks 106, 148, 156, 176, 182, 202, 206 and 230. You’ll have to choose between the stacks facing the pavilion (156, 230), the fitness corners/playgrounds (106, 146, 202, 206) and stacks facing the future school site (182, 176). Take note that stack 182 also faces an upcoming bus stop. For privacy, stack 182 is your best choice seeing as it’s a corner unit. Do note that it isn’t a standalone stack though. Based on the sun directions in Singapore (northwest and southwest depending on the time of the year), most stacks here are likely to get the afternoon sun. However, you’ll also want to check if there are neighbouring buildings that can provide some shade (the 3D model of the unit at HDB Hub will help). Stack 156 might be able to receive a little bit of shade from the sun coming in the southwest direction because of the neighbouring stack. 4-room flats
For 4-room units, you get to choose from stacks 100, 102, 148, 150, 154, 158, 160, 164, 166, 170, 198, 200, 204, 208, 214, 220, 222, 224, 226 and 228. Stacks 208 and 222 are the best for privacy because they are corner units, away from the lifts and rubbish chutes and they don’t have an adjoining adjacent stack. In terms of the afternoon sun, stacks 220, 222 and 228 might get some shade from the neighbouring stacks so they are likely to be relatively cool when you come home in the evenings. For a quieter stack, consider stack 208 since it is somewhat further away from the playground. The rest of the 4-room stacks are either facing the future school, in close proximity with the playgrounds, pavilion and fitness corners, or are facing the main roads. 5-room flats 5-room buyers, you’ll have your pick from three blocks at stacks 152, 162, 168, 196, 210, 212, 216, 218 and 232. In terms of privacy, stacks 152, 162, 210 and 216 are good options. For stacks 152, 210 and 216 though, it’s likely that the service yard can be seen from the common corridors. Stacks likely to be shaded from the afternoon sun from neighbouring blocks include stacks 196 and 212. For peace and quiet, you can consider a unit on a higher floor for stack 218. It faces the 5-storey car park, but you can avoid fumes and traffic noise if you get a unit on a higher floor upwards of fifth floor. Other 5-room stacks are either facing the future school, near the main roads or are facing the pavilion and drop-off points. Which unit to go for at Kovan Wellspring?2-room flats Pick from the following stacks for 2-room flats: 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 146, 148, 150, 152, 158, 160, 166, 168, 176 and 178. We wouldn’t recommend going for a stack (146, 148, 150, 152, 176 or 178) that faces Tampines Road. Not only will traffic noise be an issue seeing as Tampines Road is such a busy one, the dust and fumes from on-going traffic will also be a problem. For 2-room units, 158 and 160 are pretty decent choices if you don’t want a stack that is too noisy. They are away from the main road, away from the hustle and bustle of the neighbourhood centre, and don’t face any playgrounds or fitness corners where noise levels are high as people tend to congregate at those zones. For stacks that are likely to get some shade from the afternoon sun, look to these ones: stacks 120, 122, 158 and 160. In terms of privacy, go with stacks 116 and 152. These are corner units that don’t have an adjoining unit next to them. 3-room flats Pick from the following stacks if you are going for 3-room units: 136, 154, 156, 170, 172 and 174. You will have to choose from a stack that is near the Paya Lebar Kovan Community Centre (136), stacks that are facing the main road (172 and 174) or stacks that are overlooking the playground and fitness corners (154, 156 and 170). Units on the 4th floor and below at stack 136 might get some shade from the afternoon sun thanks to the adjacent CC. The rest of the 3-room stacks are likely going to receive some afternoon sun. For privacy, we would recommend 136 and 170, which are standalone stacks and corner units. 4-room flats These are the 4-room stacks to choose from: 100, 102, 104, 106, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 138, 140, 142, 144, 162, and 164. For privacy, go for stacks 102, 104, 126, 128, 134 140, 142 and 164. While they aren’t standalone stacks, they are corner units with some privacy. Look out for stacks 124, 126 and 138 if you want a quieter home. These stacks are inward looking, so they don’t face Tampines Road or the neighbourhood centre. They are also not located next to the CC or directly facing the playground. You might get some respite from the afternoon sun if your unit is located on the 4th floor or lower at stacks 132, 134, 138 and 140. Still have questions on either Kovan Wellspring or Hougang Citrine? Let us know in the comments or through our socials!
Via https://civilco.construction/kovan-wellspring-and-hougang-citrine/ Hello! It’s Kylee here to show you some more of our new home! Just a few weeks ago we moved into our new Cape Cod style home (or just a cape depending on where you live!). To be honest I still can’t believe it’s really ours! While we owned our townhouse for years, this still feels kind of like my first real home. No shared walls, a yard to take care of, more rooms than I know what to do with…am I a real adult now? How do I pick a lawnmower? When does one prune the bushes? So much to learn. I shared a few peeks of our new home here, but today I wanted to give you more of a full empty tour! I’ve always loved the look of a long driveway that leads to a set back detached garage, so that’s one of the features we loved about the home! You enter the house directly into the living room, so one design challenge I am working on right away is creating a welcoming, entry that will *feel* like its own dedicated space. I can’t wait until it gets chilly enough to use the gas fireplace! We loved having one in our previous home and are looking forward to having one again. From the living room you can see into the dining room and kitchen, After years of eating around a kitchen island, it looks like we actually need to get a dining table now! The double arches make my heart flutter and I just love how this space is open, but still feels like individual rooms. While we looked at houses that were all different styles in terms of how open they were, there is something about homes with more unique floor plans and lots of rooms that feel so cozy and homey to me. I’m still a bit shocked that we ended up with a such a beautifully remodeled kitchen. We saw lots of homes in our house search and even the remodeled ones usually had quite a few features I wouldn’t have chosen, but this house has so many things I would have picked for myself! The housing market was brutal and after months of searching and losing homes (I shared more about that in this post) it was looking like we were going to have to lower our expectations and started to accept that a remodel may be in our future. But, we got so lucky with this house! We’d noticed it when it was first listed, but it went pending right away (of course!). Then a few weeks later we happened to be visiting Portland and saw that the sale had fallen through and it was back on the market! So, we walked into an open house and fell in love and hoped that due to the circumstances, we might actually have a chance. And we did have a chance! We weren’t the only offer, but we were able to get ours accepted! Overall, I love everything about the kitchen–the marble counters, the butcher block island, the paint colors, the light that streams in…I spend a lot of time cooking in here and it’s been bringing me so much joy! I may change the light above the sink and maybe eventually add some pendant lights over the island, but for now it’s perfect. Oh and in case you missed it, I already wrote a blog post about how I filled those glass front cabinets! You can read that post here (I also shared some of the kitchen sources in that post like our cabinet paint color). The house has three bathrooms and every single one of them was done so nicely! This one might be my favorite in the house because of all the gorgeous tile! This is the bathroom on the main floor between two bedrooms. I will spare you photos of the bedrooms, because they’re really just two boxes. We will be using one for a home office and one as a guest room! I’ll share those when they’re looking cute. Then downstairs we have a finished basement. Pictured above is the staircase down and a bathroom on the left (even the basement bathroom was done nicely!) and another bedroom to the right. The basement bedroom came with this pull down murphy bed and will be another great guest space for us! I imagine our upstairs guest room will be for short term guests and this will be for someone staying longer or who comes with kids or dogs (hi Mom and Dad and Jack and Lily!). Then there is this big, open space with a fireplace and a space for a TV. This space isn’t on our priority list, but eventually we would like new floors and paint down here. Maybe a big cozy sectional for movie nights? And on the other side of the open space is a wet bar/mini kitchen. We aren’t entirely sure how we are going to use this space yet so TBD. A whole laundry ROOM! In my townhouse I just had a laundry closet so this feels like a luxury. I’m thinking wallpaper may be just what’s needed to spark a little joy into this space. Now for the final space, the primary suite, which is basically the whole upstairs/converted attic. We have plans to get new hardwood floors up here soon. As anyone doing house projects right now knows, there are lots of delays on supplies, but hopefully this will be done in the next few weeks! I’m still debating on paint colors, but we may actually transform this space with something darker to be a bit more moody and cozy. The primary bathroom is a dream! The herringbone floors, the double vanity…I’m obsessed. We’ve considered a couple minor updates to make it more our own, like new lights and hardware, but we are enjoying it as it is for now. Also, this shower. Can you even?! There’s a little nook back there behind the shower that is kind of wasted space that I’m considering putting a vanity table to do my makeup. And to the left there is a HUGE walk in closet. Like, almost more space that we need kind of huge (not that I’m complaining!). Thanks for coming along on this tour! We’ve already settled in a bit and started decorating so I’m sure I will be back soon with updates. If you follow along on my Instagram, I’ll be sharing some of our progress in real time! f you’re just catching up, here are a few recent posts related to Kylee’s Move: Kylee’s Cape Cod Style House (first few photos!) Via https://civilco.construction/kylees-empty-house-tour-the-inspired-room/ One of the few still celebrated legacies that the British Empire left behind during the era of colonisation in Asia was this hodgepodge of an interior design style. Done right, the British colonial interior design style evokes a breezy laid-back atmosphere, perfect for endless lounging and relaxation. We take a look at how to recreate this design in this style guide. BackgroundImage courtesy of Galen Crout The British occupation of the “tropics” between the 17th and 19th century represents a dark part of history, where exploitation and subjugation are couched under empire discourses of salvation and civilisation. But it was also within this period that we saw a series of cultural amalgamation, evident in the homes of these European immigrants who decided to settle down in their colonies. These colonisers brought with them the elegance and formality of British interior design—the height of which was the Victorian style then—and adapted them to the heat and climate of the tropical environments while drawing details from local traditions and culture. What resulted is a blend of tropical living with the classic and formal styles of British interiors. Whitewashed wallsDesign: Sync Interior The heat, sun and humidity of the tropics were often considered “hazardous” for European constitutions, so keeping the interiors feeling cool was often the first order of business. Design: Sync Interior Walls were therefore whitewashed or painted in soft cream tones or light sand to create the illusion of a light and airy space. These light-coloured walls also provided the perfect backdrop for the rich dark wood furniture and the eclectic décor. Airy interiorsDesign: DistinctIdentity Wooden shutters were often employed to keep out heat as well as to protect the interiors from the frequent storms in the colonies. Nowadays, there isn’t a real need for shutters, but you can still get them for a more authentic colonial look. Design: Space Sense Studio Most shutters come with fixed louvres, but for more flexibility, opt for those with adjustable ones that let you determine the amount of heat and light you want to come in. For a more modern window furnishing option, black-and-white bamboo blinds are a good alternative. Design: M3 Studio To further combat the heat and keep the air inside moving, ceiling fans became an important part of British colonial homes. Get the look with ceiling fans that come with dark woodgrain designs or ones with an antique metal finish. Design: M3 Studio Textures through natural materialsDesign: Haus Atelier Because of the relatively simple palette, textures were used to create more visual interest in a British colonial interior. Consider then how to create a more layered home. One way to do so is to include the use of natural materials. For flooring, opt for dark timber wood or a lookalike for easier maintenance. Sturdy and formal furniture in dark teak or mahogany (hardwoods did better in humid climates) were also a common feature in colonial homes. Look out for ones with ornate carvings or interesting motifs—animals, plants, fruits—that would add another layer of texture to your space. Design: Insight.Out Contrasting against this formal look were the more casual rattan and cane furniture and furnishings. These were lightweight—which made travel easier for the British adventurer—while also helping to beat the heat. Rattan daybeds are a common sight, conjuring images of lounging on a particularly hot afternoon. Design: Ehka Studio When inviting textiles and fabrics, go with light and breathable fabrics like linens and cottons. These contribute to the easy breezy feel of a British colonial style home. Design: Authors Interior & Styling Globetrotting tendenciesDesign: The Association The British elites likened themselves to a well-travelled sort, which meant their homes were often decorated with items that they have sought in their travels. When sourcing for furnishings, hit up second-hand furniture stores for unique and vintage pieces to add to your home. Consider also exotic, travel-inspired decor like Chinese ginger jars, blue and white porcelain, magnifying glass, old maps, travel trunks and telescopes. Design: ICIA Campaign furniture was also a must-have in the homes of the elites. Originally produced for British officers on military campaigns who stayed in tents and couldn’t live without their modern comforts, they were later a staple in wealthier homes in the tropics. These were furniture that were multifunctional, collapsible and highly portable, to make travelling around with them easier. Some common campaign furniture to include in your own British colonial style home are steamer chairs, folding drink trays, and military chest or chest of drawers that usually come with removable feet and can be split into smaller parts. Tropical flairDesign: The Local Inn.terior There was a certain obsession amongst the Victorian British for plant collecting. Plants in the tropics were seen as exotic, which saw many colonisers incorporating tropical plants in their own homes. Large ferns, palm plants make a big impact while orchids and hibiscus offer a softer, more feminine touch to your British colonial style home. Design: Collate For the brown fingers, consider tropical prints with floral and fauna motifs as an alternative. Use them in wallpaper, soft furnishings and furniture upholstery. More unusual places to incorporate a tropical flair include drawer or cabinet handles, table décor or lighting. Design: Collate Design: Authors Interior & Styling
Stockist: 10 places to shop for British colonial style furnishingsThe Past Perfect Collection 315 Outram Road Island Living 5 Eunos Ave 8A The GoDown 100D Pasir Panjang Road Bungalow 55 8D Dempsey Road Originals 1 Bukit Batok Street 22 Second Charm 21 Kallang Ave Junkie’s Corner 2 Turf Club Road Singapore Trading Post 315 Outram Road Blafink 19 Tai Seng Ave Journey East 315 Outram Road
Via https://civilco.construction/a-guide-to-the-british-colonial-interior-design-style/ Sitting at the edge of Bedok Reservoir, Tampines GreenJade and Tampines GreenQuartz are nestled amidst a cluster of other BTOs. We compare these two Tampines BTOs that were launched in Aug 2021, and see what units to go for if you decide to buy a flat at one of the two developments. At a glance
The sitesTampines GreenJade and Tampines Quartz joins several other BTOs in the area. With a large part of the area still under construction, there aren’t a lot of existing amenities nearby. Site for Tampines GreenJade. Site for Tampines GreenQuartz. The nearest amenities will be located at upcoming BTO Tampines GreenGem, which is located adjacent to Tampines GreenJade and opposite the site of Tampines GreenQuartz. The amenities include a supermarket, an eating house and other retail options. There is also a future commercial/residential entity next to GreenQuartz. For hawker centres and wet markets, you’ll have to walk further out to reach them. The nearest amenities surrounding Tampines GreenJade and Tampines GreenQuartz. Source: URA’s Master Plan If you like the outdoors, this is a great place to be. We spotted a lot of cyclists during our site visit. It stands to reason as the area has quite a number of cycling paths (cycling network in Tampines is set to triple to 21 km by 2022) and is well connected by park connectors and with Bedok Reservoir nearby. In terms of public transportation, there isn’t a huge difference in distance between Bedok Reservoir or Tampines West MRT stations, both of which are on the Downtown Line. GreenJade residents might prefer Bedok Reservoir while homeowners over at GreenQuartz are likely to go with Tampines West. However, if you are thinking of heading down to Tampines Interchange to connect with the East-West line or to visit the bigger shopping malls surrounding the Tampines train station, Tampines West is just one stop away. What units to choose for Tampines GreenJade?Unlikely to get afternoon sun: Avoid choosing stacks that may be getting the afternoon sun from either the northwest or southwest directions. Stacks 106, 112, 126, 128, 130, 142, 154 and 160 are the best choices if you want to avoid the afternoon sun. However, these stacks are likely to get the morning sun coming from the East. Privacy: The rubbish chutes and lifts are located in very close proximity to some of the units in Tampines GreenJade. You’ll want avoid those stacks if you don’t like neighbours looking into your flats while throwing out the trash or waiting for the lifts. For privacy, these are the best stacks to go with: Stacks 106, 108, 118, 120, 130, 132, 142, 144, 154, 156, 166 and 168. Less noisy: Choose stacks away from the main road (Bedok Reservoir Road) to avoid traffic noise. And don’t pick stacks near areas where there is a high concentration of human activity if you want a quieter stack. Stacks to avoid include those close to the pavilion, drop-off points, playgrounds, fitness corners, car park, childcare centre, bus stops and adjacent school Temasek Polytechnic. Choose these stacks for peace and quiet instead: 104, 114, 116, 124, 136, 150 and 164. Note: All the 5-room units at Tampines GreenJade come with a balcony. What units to choose for Tampines GreenQuartz?Balcony: Some of the 4-room and 5-room units at Tampines GreenQuartz come with balcony. Balconies add an extra 3 sqm to the size of your flat. These are the stacks with balconies: 967A: 305 Unlikely to get afternoon sun: The afternoon sun comes in two directions in Singapore. From March to September, it comes from the northwest direction. From September to March, it comes from the southwest direction. These are the stacks that are likely to have the least afternoon sun: 967A: 309, 311, 313, 315 Privacy: If privacy is important to you, go with a corner unit that is away from the lifts and rubbish chutes: 967A: 303, 305, 315 *Depending on the design of the BTO, your neighbours may be able to see into your service yard from the common corridors. Check the 3D model of Tampines GreenQuartz to be sure. Peace and quiet: Looking at all the four roads surrounding the site, Bedok Reservoir Road looks to be the biggest and busiest. However, all the other three roads also lead into future commercial entities, so we believe they will get relatively busy as well. Tampines St 96 and Tampines St 95 also have bus stops along the roads, and this will undoubtedly contribute to traffic noise. If traffic noise is a concern for you, you’ll want to avoid stacks facing any road in this BTO. Along Bedok Reservoir Road. For zones with high human activity, you are looking at areas like the pavilions, playgrounds, park on-site, the childcare centre, car park, fitness corners and drop-off points. As such, these are the best stacks if you want some peace and quiet: 967B: 319, 321, 323, 325 Still got questions on either Tampines GreenJade or Tampines GreenQuartz? Let us know in the comments!
Via https://civilco.construction/tampines-greenjade-and-tampines-greenquartz/ When embarking on his Brooklyn loft remodel, this interior designer stayed flexibleâAfterâ photos by Miao Jiaxin for Sweeten
Written in partnership with Sweeten homeowner Alex Elevating the best aspects of homeWe have been living in this apartment in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, since 2015. It was the first place we lived together, and it felt like a real 1980s loft, which Sue and I liked a lot. The previous owner was craftyâheâd installed his own kitchen cabinets, and the spirit of the place was very DIY. Sue works in Fin-tech and I am in interior design. We didnât do much work when we first moved in, thinking it made sense to let the apartment evolve. 42020-AlexC-Apt-Before-02 42020-AlexC-Apt-Before-01 42020-AlexC-Apt-During-01 42020-AlexC-Apt-During-02 The apartment comprises approximately 900 square feet. It had many vantage points, which our cat, who recently passed, really enjoyed. The neighborhood seems to have a lot of building conversionsâa church here, a school there, made into residential apartments. Our building belongs to the latter group, and was converted more than 30 years ago. Visitors are often amazed at how wide the hallways are. That sort of space is not something you often encounter in NYC. Honing in on the shared lifestyleLooking to build on the apartmentâs openness, we made a few changes early on. One was removing a spiral staircase and replacing it with an industrial-use stair; it remains in the same location in the current iteration. Another was taking out an idiosyncratic shelving system that the previous owner had installed. We are both utilitarian, and that aspect of our personalities influences our aesthetic.
We also like this word that the Dutch have, Gezellig, which translates to something like coziness. Itâs not a style, per se, but achieving it was a driving force for our renovation. We didnât want an overly designed space, but rather one that felt considered. Practical launch pad to renovateWe planned our renovation to coincide with the water boiler warranty expiration. Each unit has its own boiler, and you always hear about these things failing shortly after their warranty goes. We figured we would try to avoid becoming a statistic. The apartment was also in desperate need of an electrical panel upgrade. We wanted to add an in-unit washer and dryer and a shower to our powder room. In addition, the apartment lacked, and desperately needed, built-in storage.
We posted our project, and Sweeten was a great help in providing a list of relevant contractors. Since I work in this field, I did not utilize other services the company provides. I wanted to complete the renovation within an allotted time frame, and keep within a firm budget. Our Sweeten contractors were great to work with; we had a few conversations before the renovation, and they were very accommodating.
Design tricks-of-the-tradeIt is always exciting to see a project on paper come to life, but it is especially interesting when you have an experimental clientâin this case, ha!, ourselves. Our contractor convinced me that we should open up the entry foyer, which I wasnât sure of. But in the end I think sacrificing the extra storage was worth it to expand the passageway. We also separated the passthrough between the dining and living space with an oversized barn door, which disappears when retracted.
We employed other tricks as well. Take the painting and color scheme, for example. We applied a World War I ship-camouflage technique known as Dazzleâwhich was a way of masking the volume and shape of military ships using geometric patternsâto try to make walls and objects more or less vanish into the space. We used black behind the TV to have it blend into the space. It is also a nod to the blackboard that would have hung on the wall in this former classroom. We stayed with a pretty strict material palette just because it is easier to manage and is also a fun challenge to stretch the limit of the material. For example, the black countertop and black backsplash is actually a paper-based product that is extremely durable. I also used it as treads for the stairs. Being flexible during the processNo matter how simple you aim to keep it, in any construction project, there will be challenges to overcome. We moved out of the apartment during the renovation, but I went to the job site every other day to make sure we were moving forward. During one visit, I noticed that the contracting team had framed one of the walls in the wrong location. Instead of losing time having the contractor demolish the framing and restart, however, I decided to redesign that portion of the space. I did it overnight. In the end, we were able to salvage the work and it turned out nicely. It felt serendipitous.
Paying attention to and working within the process always helps, and given my work, I am familiar with the arc a job follows. Our favorite part of the renovation was the end. Working from home for the past year, we were able to enjoy the apartmentâs ample flow of sunlight throughout the day. It is great to have a space that works so well and feels not just in sync with the building we live in, but with our entire lifestyle. Thanks for sharing your Brooklyn loft remodel with us, Sue and Alex! Materials GuideLIVING AREA RESOURCES: Paint in Simply White and Black Forest Green: Benjamin Moore. Industrial staircase: Grainger. KITCHEN RESOURCES: Paint in Simply White: Benjamin Moore. Kitchen cabinets and hardware: Ikea. Countertops and backsplash (white material from Krion; black material from Richlite; Elkay sink and AXOR faucet: Porcelanosa. Refrigerator: Samsung. Dishwasher and stove: Bosch. BATHROOM RESOURCES: Porcelain wall & floor tile; Vanity and sink: Porcelanosa. Shower fixtures and hardware: Hansgrohe. Toilet: American Standard. â Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each projectâs location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when youâre ready to renovate, start your renovation with Sweeten. Via https://civilco.construction/a-cozy-brooklyn-loft-remodel-in-a-converted-school/ |
ABOUT USCIVILCO Construction and Interior is a quality-oriented construction company that was founded in 2004 by its Chief Executive, Engineer Mujeeb Ur Rehman. He continues the construction family tradition while maintaining its outstanding reputation with an uncompromising commitment to quality and safety. With a strong reputation as an industry leader in Design-Build construction, CIVILCO construction provides excellence in a full spectrum of pre-construction, program management, construction, interior management, inspection, and quality control services. ArchivesNo Archives Categories |