homeonthe16th
A family of 4 building our forever home one tile at a time 🫶🏼✨🏠 (Resale EA)
$100K Reno for the Right Bones
7539
We viewed many units over two months, and by the time we reached this one, we were honestly ready to pause the search. But as soon as we stepped into the space, we knew it had potential. It wasn’t the fittings or the finishes that won us over. In fact, we knew from the start that we’d be renovating extensively. What stood out was the skeleton — the layout, the airflow, the lighting, and the thoughtful changes already made by the previous owners. 
We stepped into a top-floor EA unit with higher ceilings in the balcony, good airflow, and signs that previous owners had already made some structural shifts we could build on. For example: • The storeroom door had already been moved into the kitchen, which gave the dining area a cleaner layout • The master bedroom and bedroom 2 had been combined using a glass divider — which we decided to separate again • And we saw the potential to reshape flow in the living and study areas to suit our family’s lifestyle Our vision was clear: • Bedroom 2 would become our sleeping space • The original master bedroom would become a hybrid office + walk-in wardrobe • The study room door would be repositioned so we could use its wall as a TV wall (we didn’t like the idea of our backs facing the entrance while lounging) • And we’d widen the kitchen entrance for more light and smoother movement 
And then, the real work began. We had only 8 weeks to get everything done. Who would’ve thought we would be brave enough to do this with the help of one main contractor and an online render provider with a tight timeline and budget! From the first day of key collection, our contractor and his team moved fast. 
Demolition was completed in 3 days and measurements for tiling and carpentry were taken immediately after. The team prioritised getting the hacking and wet works done so that tiling could start as soon as possible — a crucial move to keep everything on track 
We’ll cover our full scope of works in the next post — but this one? It’s about seeing potential, and trusting the plan enough to move quickly. ⸻ 💡 Reflection: If you’re planning to renovate, don’t just look at the condition of the fittings — look at the structure. A layout that works for your family is everything. And if you’re working with a tight timeline, partner with a contractor who can execute fast and smart without cutting corners.
10 days ago
