Property Project B: codename SB2 Part IV

Reno work is at 95% completion. Pending solid surface installation for dry kitchen, and MBR2 wardrobe, and some touch up for shoe cabinet. Target solid surface to be installed within this week while wardrobe installation for MBR2 has to be deferred due to MBR2 bathroom leaking. It has been about 1++ mths, the developer contractor still hasn't been able to fix it once and for all. I have to push and press them almost every other day. Tips; a must do test to detect bathroom leaking i.e ponding test for at least 24hrs. You can use papers wrapped in a plastic (see pic) and later take it off, or simply use old newspaper which you can later push down the floor trap.

As for the solid surface, the guy promised to complete the installation last week, but hampeh.. Till todate, am a bit unsatisfied with my dry modular kitchen cabinets. Of all my houses, this is the one that I'm not very happy with. Limited choices of material patterns, surprisingly kedekut material (smaller boxes, in terms of depth and design). Will be extra careful the next time if I ever choose modular again.

Some pics[pics]

DIY project to install curtain railings. Quite a tough job esp for the curve railing. It's of different type of railing and roller, and to bend the railing requires some expertise. Lucky me, my hubby is a handy man and he has all the required gadgets to make it happen. [pics]

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Property Project B: codename SB2 Part III

8 days since last updated. I was away and didn't get a chance to update. Latest status:
- 2 aircons with gas leak, 1 at the compressor pipe and the other one is concealed piping indoor. Symptoms; aircon is not cold and there's oil at the leaking area. After long deliberation between developer's contractor and my aircon contractor, they agreed to share the fixing cost. Logically speaking, it's the original piping problem. However, the developer's contractor goes by the agreement, once hacked, they're not responsible for it altho' it seems to be their problem. Lesson learned; do not proceed with t/shooting if you suspect any leakage. Inform the developer site office immediately. Otherwise, we hv to bear the consequences and cost. Btw, I am satisfied with my aircon contractor work, neat and clean. The key guy, Ah Teo will advise about the condition prior to installation.

- water leaking at MBR2, 2nd floor.. haiyaa, so frustrating to find out that they haven't fixed yet since my last site visit 4 days ago. Developer's subcon promised by end of this week. Let's see how it goes..

 





- D'Format cabinet specialist delivered dry kitchen cab, and mb1, br1, br2 wardrobes. Started the installation today, and will likely take 3 days to complete.
- Main contractor; LBL Construction & Renovation has almost completed their work. The work is neat and the price is reasonable.
- By end of next week, Yitwood carpenter will come to install wet kitchen cab, mbr2 wardrobe and shoe cab.
- Started to move some stuff in and clean the house.

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Property Project B: codename SB2 Part II

Electrical shop delivered aircons, fridge & washing mc yesterday. For the installation, I got the service from TNK Aircon service from Air Hitam. Quite happy with their service. They came last week to check and ensure wiring are all ok which they even straightened the piping. Today, they finished installing 5 aircons while the last one wud hv to wait for the wardrobe to be ready as it's gonna b cabinet-mounted. Anyway, bad news as there's a leaking @ dining suspected coming from the original piping. Hv scheduled an inspection w the developer office and Ah Teoh tmw morning. I hope it's just a minor fix.

 

Cornice done and wet kitchen sliding door is fixed, too. Hahaha.. it's like an office, pulak. Well, it is, isn't it?

   

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Property Project B: codename SB2

Well, this project keeps me really bz. My hubby and I hv bn working on it for the past 2 months from the design to actualization. For the past few months, my hands are extremely tied with my online store biz selling girls dresses, cookies for raya, project A (an office), and this project B (a house). Yupp, it's very hectic but I enjoy doing it. Needless to say, I need to care about my son, Aliff too.

Phase 1: Budget, costing, design, contractor selections.

• It's not gonna be a super duper hse reno this time. Been there, done that. Well, it may sound corky, but I thank Allah for all the rezeki. So, this time is about space. Living in Penang island.. huh, you can imagine for people like us, can't afford a bungalow but alhamdulillah, this house will just provide us the right space that we need for our passions, hobbies, and biz. 
• Time for design. As usual, we came out with our own detailed drawings using 3D Home Architect sw. Visited MegaHome, HomeDec, Perfect Living, Penfurnex, etc.. which was held one after another in consecutive months. (I love Penang for that matter :-) ). That's where we get to compare and choose IDs, kitchen specialists, furnishing and fittings with good bargains. What we did was to show them our designs and ask for quotes. Hmm.. not really a smooth sailing process as we revised our designs couples of times due to I couldn't make up my mind bw open and closed concept kitchen, urghhh!!!!! Finally, I decided with closed concept, more comfortable with it. Ahhaa.. 2 contractors/specialists for my kitchen (wet/dry) as well as wardrobes. Why? simply becoz the other contractor can't fulfill my requirements. 
• Tracking the expenses that go to the house is an on-going process. I'm tasked to track it. Luckily not to fork out fr my own pocket, thanks dear!

Phase 2: Renovation and furnishing

• OC (now they call a diff name, can't remember) was obtained in end July. We got the key on 10th Aug. Wow! Quite impressed with the nice handover folder with the key holders and complete manuals, do's & don'ts etc..
• Time for defect checking. Overall, we're satisfied w the neat finishing. Initial inspection discovered most problems come from the hair line cracks at some areas. Others like water seepage (due to rain) at window, and minor problems of loose taps. At the time of 1st inspection, cudn't test the water supply as the electrical water pump wasn't turned on. Defects list #1 submitted together w reno deposit. Must take note that no structural change allowed due to strata title (a landed house with strata title). Soon after water pump turned on, we discovered few problems and the major one is the water mark on the wall near MBR2, at L3 staircase. As of today, the rectification work is still going on.
• Went thru with the contractors the detailed SOW. Target completion latest by 21st Oct. Whoever comes across my blog and interested in the contractor details, feel free to tinkle me The photos are meant for yr reference. I can share my experience and recommend accordingly..
• Started about 3 weeks ago, right after raya. Thus, bz with the follow-ups, material selections, fitting and furnishing.. I made a point to visit the contractor almost every other day. Alhamdulillah, it's progressing well, so far. Anyway, like mentioned, it's just a simple reno.. 
• Completed so far; brick walls, glass shower screen installation and fan installation
• This wk target: back yard flooring, delivery of aircons, fridge, washing machine (the shop dun want to deliver twice :-( ). Install air-con, lightings, wet kitchen concrete and tile frame. Cleanup on weekends.
• Next week ending Oct 14 ; wet kitchen and wardrobe for MB2, shoe cabinet, curtains. Cleanup and touch up on weekends. Start moving small items by car.
• The final week ending Oct 21; dry kitchen, MB1, RM1 and RM2. Delivery of beds, sofa, dining table. Cleanup and touch up on weekends by my hubby (I'll be away in KL for 3 days for a course). Continue moving items by car

 

 

Phase 3: Move in!!! (will update later..)

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Property Project A: Mayang Mall Office

This is kinda backdated entry as well. Oh God, so many things to update in so lil' time. This is one of the projects that I'm still bz with, helping a foreign friend setup a new office in Penang. To cut the story short, after 3 months, we're at the stage of signing off the Tenancy Agreement with PDC. Hopefully, I'm able to close the deal by end of this month. Anyway, my job will not end there yet, still hv to look into the facility and utility setup. New things that I learned fr the commercial tenancy; Personal Guarantee, Business Guarantee. Landlord may require either PG or BG for tenants' financial stability assurance. In some cases, additional rental deposits may be sufficient.


Personal guarantee is a promise made by an entrepreneur to personally repay the company debts in the event of default by the business. Personal guarantees are a way for banks to protect themselves, and their depositors, against unscrupulous business owners. It tells the bank that the business owner is serious about their business and about repaying their debts. One of the downsides to personal guarantees is that even if a business owner is extremely careful in paying their business debts, unforseen events can still prevent a business from making a loan payment. When the owner is unable to cover the debts personally, the bank will start to seize personal assets.
In order to avoid a personal guarantee, it is important to show banks that your business can stand on its own. Having excellent business credit is a great way to avoid having to sign a personal guarantee. If the bank sees your business is growing in size and revenue, they might be willing to waive the personal gurantee as well.
Bank Guarantee is a guarantee from a lending institution ensuring that the liabilities of a debtor will be met. In other words, if the debtor fails to settle a debt, the bank will cover it. Read more on how it works.

Some photos from the project:

 

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I'm like an octopus..

Last week was a bz week, started off with the girl dresses sales plan and promotion, son came back from Langkawi and brought along a friend, and visited a foreign friend who had just migrated to Penang.

Have been having sleepless nites due to adrenalin rush on biz and passions. My proposal for a tea party cum promotion for the girl dresses, gowns, baju kurung at my place was rejected by the condo mgmt committee. So, I looked for an alternative to have it somewhere else, perhaps on a small scale. Alhamdulillah, found a place at a day care center, Pusat Jagaan Murni Mesra @ Minden Heights (behind SK Minden Heights). The event will be held on Wed 6th July, starts from 4.30pm when parents start picking up their children. It's also open to public. Some light refreshments will be provided. I updated the event in my fb fan page 'Lovely Kidz Closet'. So, do drop by if you are just around Gelugor, Bayan Baru dan kawasan yang sewaktu dengannya. You're all welcomed!!

Pity my son and his friend that I'm unable to pay full attention to them due to my packed schedules. Anyway, they were bz with their school assignment, so not too bad. Squeezed time and managed to bake pizza and choc muffins for them (again, no photos). Breakfast is a must but lunch normally have to buy from outside as I wasn't around and no maid to help in the kitchen. On Thursday, sent them to Queensbay for movies. While they were at QB, I went to visit my friend, Amar and his family. Had been postponing the visit few times, and finally we met. A lot to catch up. We even talked about his company expansion in Malaysia. So, I'm very eager to help him with the new office setup as property matters is my passion. We started to explore and understand the MSC requirements and the hunting begins from there.. Ahhaa.. at the same time, my tenant called to remind that she will be moving out by end of July. Right before I posted an online ads, alhamdulillah, a potential tenant called up. Hopefully, she can confirm by next Friday.


Back to baju kanak-kanak (mostly baju budak perempuan) yang I jual tu, hmm.. peritnya nak jual online ya. Visitors ramai tp buyers not so. Camana nak convert them into buyers??. Bila tgk org boleh buat online sale mcm bagus je, hairan gak. But anyway, it's not apple to apple comparison as my baju kanak-kanak tu semuanya home-sewn dan boutique quality, not bulk manufacturing production. I really appreciate if customers contact me to ask for details before they make any judgement. How to get online customers to shop with confidence??? Sape leh tolong, habaq mai? Biasanya, kalau offline they can really appreciate baju-baju yang I jual tu. Bila customer tengok baju-baju, dresses, gown and baju kurung tu, dia orang suka dan puas hati dengan design, kualiti kain dan workmanship. Nak kn belajar lagi ni..

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Weekend activities

Niece and nephew mai Penang, so bz as a host. Sempat jugak jenguk iFoodEx @ Pisa, itupun dah lewat, arnd 5.30pm on Sun. Less crowd, and exhibitors started to pack up their stuff. Among the prods; junk foods, drinks, curry powder, packed food, chinese nyer stuff. Rasanya ramai yang dok rasa sample dari membeli. Half-way, then cabut dah, nothing much for me.

Received and email from an Indian friend from India. He just moved to Penang for biz expansion, and is still  looking for a place to rent out. Unfortunately, my own apartments are being rented out, so I did recommend few places to him. Talking about properties, a tenant called up on Sat to inform about clogged bathroom, Urgghh!!! Told her to find drain unclogger first, if it doesn't help, then will have to call a plumber or I need to be there to see what the problem is. That's just one of the challenges of property management.

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