Ok, only 1 comment on my entire blog so far. That too anonymous and cryptic. Ok, Sobz. Moving along.
HDB has over the years endeavoured to make the flats more appealing and usable. I do applaud their efforts, and if you live in a really old house, it helps you in renovating your house at a steal rate (but of course 'matching' materials and workmanship). But I truly appreciate it, if it has been done.
HIP (HDB Improvement Programme) Check that if has been done, (can be easily checked here or on HDB Map Services under Housing Icon for your chosen block) and whether it has been billed to previous owner yet. (If it hasn't been done yet, wait for it to roll around as it is very cheap - the labour also that quality of course. Unless the toilet is really in a very bad condition. Just imagine how a little after a year from us getting our toilet renovated, HDB does the leak test, and it doesn't pass, and as such it is now UGLY as it is a mix-match of quality tiles, and standard badly laid tiles. The cutting ruined the nice tiles too. The other toilet came out better as it wasn't a blend. But plain.)
And now for a more authentic retelling, you can check out this other lady's post on her HIP experience, and yes, you'll fall in love with the bulky yellow and red portable toilet/shower, though an eyesore, after using it for a week. I wonder if I can purchase one for my non-en-suite-but-has-adjoining-wall-to-toilet bedroom... It is true about the dust, even for the areas covered! Don't plan to do any cooking, in fact, masking tape seal any doors of your kitchen too. We wet mopped the house every night even after they did and it always felt dusty. A colleague actually covered all her walls and what not with cardboard, plastic etc. and sealed those for those 10 days to save herself the trouble of re-cleaning your entire house after those 10 days. She said the trouble was worth it. I agree. (Trick - Place a wet towel under the openings to your bedrooms/storeroom - YES! Masking tape window gaps when you've shut them. The dust gets EVERYWHERE! Do not even leave windows open during those hours especially as if not your unit, a neighbouring unit's dust gets into yours. Before and after yours is done, till entire section of block is done. Clock longer hours at work.)
Some houses I've looked at in Tampines, still have not had HIP done, so I'll have to think about the pollution and monitoring needed when it does happen (whose going to lock and unlock the doors, and as they do batch by batch in the block, you have very limited option as to which date you prefer so be prepared to take at least 2-3 days leave. One option is to put a bicycle lock around your gates, and give only that key to the contractors. Or get someone to house-sit. Premium remuneration expected as it is really very bad conditions as it is renovations en-mass for that area.)
HDB has over the years endeavoured to make the flats more appealing and usable. I do applaud their efforts, and if you live in a really old house, it helps you in renovating your house at a steal rate (but of course 'matching' materials and workmanship). But I truly appreciate it, if it has been done.
HIP (HDB Improvement Programme) Check that if has been done, (can be easily checked here or on HDB Map Services under Housing Icon for your chosen block) and whether it has been billed to previous owner yet. (If it hasn't been done yet, wait for it to roll around as it is very cheap - the labour also that quality of course. Unless the toilet is really in a very bad condition. Just imagine how a little after a year from us getting our toilet renovated, HDB does the leak test, and it doesn't pass, and as such it is now UGLY as it is a mix-match of quality tiles, and standard badly laid tiles. The cutting ruined the nice tiles too. The other toilet came out better as it wasn't a blend. But plain.)
And now for a more authentic retelling, you can check out this other lady's post on her HIP experience, and yes, you'll fall in love with the bulky yellow and red portable toilet/shower, though an eyesore, after using it for a week. I wonder if I can purchase one for my non-en-suite-but-has-adjoining-wall-to-toilet bedroom... It is true about the dust, even for the areas covered! Don't plan to do any cooking, in fact, masking tape seal any doors of your kitchen too. We wet mopped the house every night even after they did and it always felt dusty. A colleague actually covered all her walls and what not with cardboard, plastic etc. and sealed those for those 10 days to save herself the trouble of re-cleaning your entire house after those 10 days. She said the trouble was worth it. I agree. (Trick - Place a wet towel under the openings to your bedrooms/storeroom - YES! Masking tape window gaps when you've shut them. The dust gets EVERYWHERE! Do not even leave windows open during those hours especially as if not your unit, a neighbouring unit's dust gets into yours. Before and after yours is done, till entire section of block is done. Clock longer hours at work.)
Some houses I've looked at in Tampines, still have not had HIP done, so I'll have to think about the pollution and monitoring needed when it does happen (whose going to lock and unlock the doors, and as they do batch by batch in the block, you have very limited option as to which date you prefer so be prepared to take at least 2-3 days leave. One option is to put a bicycle lock around your gates, and give only that key to the contractors. Or get someone to house-sit. Premium remuneration expected as it is really very bad conditions as it is renovations en-mass for that area.)
LUP (Lift Upgrading Programme) Check again, especially if it was recently concluded. Most blocks have done at least this by now, from what I understand.
The HDB Main Upgrading Programme has concluded a few years ago, and in the older blocks, the addition of a Utility room at the back of the kitchen, adding another 6sqm of space (fits even a Queen Size bed and a small console/shelf/wardrobe and is breezier with wider spanning windows), is highly welcome. I've seen these utility rooms at Toa Payoh, and am highly attracted, as it is next to toilet/shower, so finally an 'almost' ensuite, even if there is still just one toilet/shower.
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| This is from Block 110, Toa Payoh. It actually is more spacious than it looks. One place even fit in a Queen sized bed with a tight walking space around, with a small nook that fit in shelves. Highly ideal for just sleeping as it is the breeziest room too! |
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