The Renozilla ... IDs and builders beware... (things you should spend on during renovations and those you can save on)

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Image result for renozilla
Usually there's a woman in the picture. But it could also be a man!
 As vehemently as she may deny it, she wants her first home to be the front page of Home and Decor.
Get her friends over, then tell them "oh, I didn't do much la..., just threw a few things together.." then when her friends press for more info, she will tell them how she slaved over the details, fought with the countless IDs who had the misfortune to cross her path and how she watched her builder like a hawk, squeezed the vendors for the discounts and clawed her way into making her place into a palace, only she will be proud of..
Where is her husband in all of this... selling kopi or busking at the pier after work to pay for all the renovations.. which will be worth absolutely nuts when they sell in 10 years time..
[laugh] 
 I always say if you have the budget, sure.. but you can't value your renovations at what you paid. I have been to friends' homes and I squirm at what they call haute coutre.. but it's their money...

Nice things you can consider spending on because it serves a purpose:

- nice comfy chairs

 - nice dining tables, maybe extendable or durable ones

 - good study tables, especially if you do work at home

 - good shelving for books (those which won't bend after a year)

 - nice tilings but don't go overboard



Be careful when you spend on these:

- in build carpentry, especially if it's not a standard look

 - strange colours and designs for shelving, cabinets and feature walls (only you can appreciate it)

 - very personalised themes of renovations (I have seen a Transylvanian theme... very Gothic)

 - expensive flooring

Hacking is always expensive, and if you redo or shift the bathroom, you might be submerged in debt! 



Some expensive work may need to be done, and I'm in favor of preventive maintenance:

Fix the roof if it's really old or might leak (otherwise leave the roof alone and save more than 100k)

 Leaking floors or toilets

 Old wallpaper

 Old faucets - it won't cost much to simple change it instead of a big redo of the toilet

 Adding electrical points / LAN - but don't overdo it as each electrical point costs $$



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