Kitchen Countertop Comparison Chart

Kitchen Countertop Comparison Chart

I collated some kitchen countertop comparison charts for the benefit of those who are still in the process of deciding which material to use for their kitchen countertop.

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Home Renovation Checklist

 

Home Renovation Checklist

Before you begin your home renovation, it's important to do some pre-renovation groundwork (i.e. 1st Stage of Renovation - Initiate  ) and plan  (i.e. 2nd Stage of Renovation - Plan ) ahead. However once you have started, there are many important things that you should take note of when you are managing the renovation.

Hence, here is a simple checklist and tips to get you started. I will update and add on to this checklist whenever the need arises, so do remember to bookmark this post! :)

1) Existing Defects

   (For HDB home owners) Have the HDB Technical Officers to rectified the list of defects prior the start of renovation? 

2) Research

Have you talked to your friends, neighbors etc about their home renovation experience?    Have you dispelled the popular renovation myths?    Have you found answers to the common renovation questions?    Have you found out the 7 common renovation mistakes and how to avoid them?    Have you found out the renovation guidelines for HDB / DBSS or private residential properties?

Have you sourced for renovation design ideas in magazines, catalogs, or open houses?

Have you checked with banks on the renovation loan prerequisites, conditions and prevailing interest rates? 3) Renovation Budget    Have you decided on the renovation budget?    Have you decided on the type of mortgage loan? 4) Renovation Scope

Have you decided on the future inhabitants of your renovated home (i.e. any pets, grandparents etc)?    Have you talked to the future inhabitants on their needs and requirements?    Have you considered and determined on the type of lifestyle that you are leading?    Have you scoped out the extent of the renovation? 5) Contractor or Interior Designers selection    Have you interviewed and shortlisted the list of contractors or interior designers? 6) Renovation Package selection    Have you scrutinized the renovation quotes carefully for any hidden costs?    Have you decided on a renovation package?    Have you ensured that all verbal clarifications and additional requirements (if any) have been written down  before you sign the contract? 7) Renovation Plan    Have you drafted the renovation plan?    Have you and the contractor or interior designer agreed upon the renovation duration and the worked out the contingency actions to take when there are delays?    Have you gathered the detailed scope of the renovation?    Have you estimated all the costs involved, the budget to be set aside and contingency actions to take when there are cost overruns?    Have you and the contractor or interior designer agreed upon the acceptable quality of renovation and how these standards are going to be determined?    Have you and the contractor or interior designer discussed on the risks that will impact the renovation  project and how to handle these risks by developing the contingency plans?    Have you and the contractor or interior designer agreed on how communication is to be done and the frequency of communication? 8) Review and Monitor    Have you constantly monitor and review the renovation works to ensure that things are going according to the plan?    Have you constantly ensure that the renovation is still on time? 9) Handover / Post Renovation Review    Have you ensured that all obligations and works are delivered by the contractor or interior designer as stipulated in the contract?    Have you done a post renovation walk-through, especially on the quality of the renovation prior the handover and final payment?    Have you checked that the contractor or the interior designer has properly cleaned up and evacuated the place after the handover?    Have you changed the lock to your property after the handover? Hope you have found the checklist useful and do share this post to people who might need it too! :)

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Let's talk about Storage ..

Storage is the most important aspect in any renovation but unfortunately is also the most neglected area.

Usually, cupboards and shelves makeup the bulk of our storage solutions but don't forget, there are also many other invaluable storage options to consider as well: Stacking boxes, hooks and also furniture (i.e. storage bed and coffee-tables) that can double up as storage to maximize your storage needs.

Thus, a very critical aspect of your strategy is to determine how frequently you use a particular item; if it is used several times a day it should be stored in a easy to reach and recognizable location. For things that are used once or twice a year, they can be stored in tall shelves and harder to reach areas. However, you should also take note that heavy items should be stored in places where you can lift them up easily without straining your back. In addition, items should be stored in logical areas (i.e. Cutlery should be stored in kitchen and not in study room).

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