Good lobangs for Housing stuff

gentoro

Master Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2004
Messages
4,474
Reaction score
8
I have did extensive researches on internet and alot of surveys ard SG. I have consolidated a few good places for self purchase of housing stuff eg. lightings, toilet stuff, furnishing, electricals...

I not really sure about the sensitivity here for putting names/places of stall to get best priced. SO for meantime I will keep to myself in case I infringed any advert issue here.

For me, I am a genuine buyer but posting (eg. Name of lighting stall) would somehow looks like I am doing self advert promoting that particular stall. Will look bad.

So seeking advised on what maybe the best possible way to keep the lobang's info alive and try not to end here for the benefit of other forumer?

I start the ball rolling for general info 1st before posting in depth good lobang:-
1) Furnishing - There is some furniture stall which is traditional type - cheap and some choices as per currently trend. Will post such name stall if situations looks good.

Reason being I always the drivers for frens who gotten their BTo last 2 years. Going ard islands for cheap furnishing which I get to compare $$ & quality among the local & overseas branding.

IMHO - Ikea is by best and cost saving option but the delivery and DIY is pain in a**. For me DIY isnt the issue but for many, if DIY not proper - shelf life of item will not last at all. 2nd reason - measurement of items on catalogue is exactly to the +/- 1mm. Precision is there which I like it too.

2) AC - definitely IMM is no no! Will shared if situations is ok. All 3 companies (no name mentioned) side by side sharing same pricing all marked up for discount.

3) Mattress - TK/Courts & "BigB" Brand is no no. Same to share in future. Mattress is very subjective - Analogy: its a bowl of noodle which everybody eats but everybody have their diff preference, feels or any likeable salesman? Imm does have it variety and some good reasonable priced mattress also.

4) Toilet accessories - Same for my IMHO, IMM is no no no! Even the biggest poshed toilet ACs stall in GL or Baltier can be cheaper for the similar brand/model of shower tap or toilet bowl (eg. Grohe Europa Set Rain shower set). Ikea still the cheapest option but lesser variety. Can be very subjective too as some stall can throw in similar spec items at very cheap (@closing down sales etc).

5) Electrical - if courts/best or "Big" brand going on big sale in expo - can go try see if can pick some cheap LEDs at "displayed" pricing. Even for the "Displayed" piece pricing - I still know there are slightly cheaper places ard SG. Hint* -> "Neighbourhood" :D Simply take a photo of the item you intend to buy, go to stall owner and ask for pricing - trick is to make known to seller that you are making payment in cash! (partial deposit and full upon delivery). Few Reasons - Installment or CC payment incurred slight percentage cost to the seller meaning cash will reduce the cost. 2nd being "big" stall like C or B warranty still under the particular brand eg. Sams**g. Even you buy from Stall A, warranty still under Sams**g.

6) Lightings - usually having ceiling fan or some may have water heater and toilet stuff tgt but still some shops are all right with reasonable pricing. There are too many shops ard which are spoiled & confused for choice. Being having close frens who own some of this lighting shop tells alot of stories. Cost of entire lightings whether worth $$$ entirely depend on the Salesman. Being on the same shop, there are salesman with lower pricing gauge n eager to close deal - which is good in getting more for lesser $$. There are some which being top salesman - equipped with the biggest barang knife to chop carrot which they often can do. Some info can be too sensitive here so I rather stay quiet for now.

7) Reno works - I often like to DIY and design my own stuff. Finally getting a new place of my own. I began by own ID training (DIY) and sourcing various contractors ard SG. Any contractor if you deal from them directly (unlike being Sub-Con by ID). Each part of renov (eg. Toilets, plumbing, doors, wiring or painting, carpentry) you can save up to 20%-40% compared to ID's package pricing (exclude cost of ID). Many did have the budget to employ ID but some ppl like me likes to go thru the trouble of DIY. :D depending on individual. This parts can be omitted from the thread if required as being the most subjective for everyone here.

Any other types of lobang to recommend? Like to keep it simple and informative for other to see. :D

Admin or Senior pls advise? Sexposed or pm or just quiet? :D

Hope this helps.
 
Last edited:

gentoro

Master Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2004
Messages
4,474
Reaction score
8
Too lenghty post or no one prefer good recommendation/lobang?
 

demongod

Honorary Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2007
Messages
104,196
Reaction score
1,040
thanks for sharing, can share your contractor? looking for 1 to do some simple works
 

gentoro

Master Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2004
Messages
4,474
Reaction score
8
Apology but took me quite sometime to get all the info in place for me to list down here. Others please feel free to comment and add your info as well.

1) Furnishing
There are a few choices here.
If you desire custom made wardrobe/kitchen/cabinet, you can try directly look for a carpentry workshop eg. Natural Interior @96613002, Mr Ong. You can try directly other carpentry businesses in SG and pricing is a lot lesser by 20% at least than the ID or contractor quoted price.
Standard wardrobe and standard furniture - Furniture Warehouse at 17 Sungei Kadut Way: reason being many competitors around this stall (warehouse), its pricing is easily comparable with Nova, Rozel, Novena etc. Pricing is competitive or not, just go see the actual item & pricing yourself to believe it.
My favourite sofa set will be with Seahorse. Proven to last and comfy for my butt!
Ikea, no comment. Speaks for itself and my favourite

2) Air-Con and other electricals
The most or common item in a household – Maximum Credit Co Pte Ltd. Having 30+yrs of history and 5 outlets over the island. It offers good competitive prices of major brands of electrical but unlike major dealer eg. GC, Courts or Big B*X. They prefer cash payment (Deposit & Balance) which they can reduce the price to a scale where you cant find @ major dealer.
Lion City Company – Geylang Lor 40. Well established with 30+yr history. Generally pricing is competitive but due to modern management of its descendents, it accept credit, nets payment which don’t offer lower price.
Overall – some small establishment in your neighbourhood can offer good price items if you are friendly to them.

3) Mattress
A must have in every home – If along the way seeing the furniture warehouse at sungei kadut, try hope by “Furniture Mart” @ 3 Sungei Kadut #02-00 to see see their mattress collection or you can try “The Mattress Centre” located in now in Jalan Ismail or pop by west side of SG to “Sincere Furniture Centre” at Tradehub21. These brand has been around locally businesses for 20+yrs and some were 30+yrs. Reason being simple – Good quality @ competitive price. There is one more 50+yrs history but only major in Kingkoil – Sleepland Singapore @ Clementi West Coast Blk 501. A sincere expert only dealing with kingkoil as housebrand.

For other mattress stall - same thing make sure to ask for their house brand, certain business carry certain housebrand which allow them higher profit margin which in turn can benefit you with higher discount.

4) Toilet accessories
A lot of shop along balestier rd, Geylang and some other areas. The most reasonable I ever encounter was “Homeone Trading” @Geylang Lor 44. For best deal, try to ask for the stall’s housebrand. Among their 1 housebrand, they can actually offer the best quality/model@most competitive price. Why so? Reason being: Its their housebrand with highest profit margin. Eg. Kroll stainless steel rain shower set can be $800-1000, Grohe easily $800-$1500 (non stainless steel) but imagine other smaller brand with similar quality can goes as cheap as $500+ or lesser. As for $300-500, you can get at most an average brand chrome brass rain set.
You can try other small toilet accessories stall but “Must” ask whether do they have housebrand? Reason being: Only long term establishment are able to get sole dealership aka Housebrand and so able to provide you the best offer at best model.

5) Lightings
Same as above – tons of shops as usual but do not be deceive by the Icra or Radex or Casetrust certified. Yes, I do agree that this certification means good and safety net for consumers but you are definitely not getting the most competitive price.
When comes to lighting and electrical, however good the brand eg. Orsam, Philip or “China” or Taiwan No brand bulb, IMHO – all boils down to luck. Compare Apple to Apple and mine can spoil within 6 months while the other Apple can last 1yrs or more. I hope you get the meaning.
As for pricing – I feel that it’s the Salesman that proven to be the most impt factor. Try and take a look @ https://www.facebook.com/lightsboutique many good reviews and ensure good service. Why? You may ask – the most notorious salesman (highest sales, biggest parang) had left (change industry) and now left with nice gentlemen now. I also like their cosy sofa and nice ambient.

6) Reno
Reno can be cheapest “ONLY” if you DIY. Imagine a full BTO 4Bedrooms plus electronic and lighting and furniture can go under 30k? It can be done as sweat and effort did by owner – neck breaking ceiling/wall painting thru out many nights. Individual contractor for each items eg. Windows & kitchen cabinets. Engage them and bargain for good price with 3-5 quotations each. My fren’s wife just being so good at bargaining, I can’t. Following above tips of recommendations which I have surveyed.

Reno by ID company – I would recommend companies with system of QC and certification in place eg. Casetrust, Radex, Icra or other. The more certifications, the more reliable and more expensive but at least you are getting the quality of what you are paying for. I wouldn’t trust any non-certified ID even thou it highly recommended by close friend. Reason being – communication! Certification actually proven that this company has a system or SOP in place so that communication and professionalism is up to standards. They wouldn’t dare trash their boss’ credibility. Every portfolio they show you can be taken from their “Best” work or even other’s “Best” work? Yes, this can be attractive and looks damn good! But a good ID does not sell you the designs, they sell you the Black & White – meaning data & design in paper for you to keep aka Material List.

Material list (Item, brand, code) being the most important document in a renovation process, all talk is bullsh*t. With this list, you can sue the company if you think they used an inferior lamination or use lousy quality paint. With this list, even when company is gone, you can get the same material eg. Lamination to repair for broken cabinet.

If you had spent 50-80k on reno and your portfolio doesn't include you the full detailed material list? Good Game and just be happy with what you had. :D

7) Wall paper
Can make a huge different in appearance and presentation of any units of home from studio to EM. The most recommended one is commonly found in few areas of SG and in most furniture/ID fair – The Wall Story. Before you proceed, Wall Story isn’t the cheapest compare to many outside freelance ID or P&R. Why I recommend? They sell you the design n concept n lastly, good workmanship with warranty. Too well known to give you inferior workmanship.
1 studio may need up to 3-4 rolls of wall paper (4m x 5m) which cheapest cost ard $2000-$3000 but material cost is actually only $400-$800 for wall paper, $50 for sealant and $100 for wallpaper adhesive. Almost 80% of cost goes to the labour but that’s the fact and truth. If you can DIY – you will be saving 80% cost.
 
Last edited:

Antzzz883

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2015
Messages
19
Reaction score
0
Affordable & Quality Aircon Servicing

BIG BEAR AIRCON SERVICING (Registered with ACRA & BCA)

Aircon not blowing cool air? When was the last time you had your aircon system serviced?
It's high time that you service your aircon. Check out the different types of aircon servicing and its star-rating based on demand.

• General Servicing from $30.....................**
• Chemical Servicing from $40..................***
• Chemical+Steam Servicing from $100....*****
• Chemical Overhaul from $150.................****

Contact 85794359 (Call/SMS/Whatsapp) to book your appointment.
 

Antzzz883

Junior Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2015
Messages
19
Reaction score
0
BIG BEAR AIRCON SERVICING (Registered with ACRA & BCA)

Aircon not blowing cool air? When was the last time you had your aircon system serviced?
It's high time that you service your aircon. Check out the different types of aircon servicing and its star-rating based on demand.

• General Servicing from $30.....................**
• Chemical Servicing from $40..................***
• Chemical+Steam Servicing from $100....*****
• Chemical Overhaul from $150.................****

Contact 85794359 (Call/SMS/Whatsapp) to book your appointment.
Big Bear Aircon is running a promotion during this period due to the hot weather.

"As such, we are pleased to announce that during this hot season, we are offering:
• $8 OFF (For 2 units and above)
• Free gas top-up (For 3 units and above)
when you engage us for our 5-star rating Chemical+Steam Servicing.
This offer is only EXCLUSIVE via this page or 85794359. Contact us to book your appointment now. Promotion ends on 31 May 2015."
 

Sat Tan

Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
265
Reaction score
2
Thanks TS for your sharing. Very helpful.

I agree with the point about buying electricals from *neighbourhood. Recently one of my relatives bought fridge, fan and water heaters from *neighbourhood. Saved a few hundreds, compared to if he were to buy from the big retailers. Prices, which were already lower than big retailers, included delivery and disposal of the replaced electricals and even free installation of water heaters. In one big retailer, you have to incur additional charges for these.

As a gesture of gratitude to this particular *neighbourhood (and also to share the benefits of saving some hard-earned cash with fellow forummers) anyone wishing to have the contact can pm me. The shop is in Tampines.
 

gentoro

Master Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2004
Messages
4,474
Reaction score
8
Confirmed on my reno for my EA (1500sqft):
1) Tiling and cement for 2 toilets, overlay with sqft tiles, including removal of old toilets and installation of new accessories, recons the balcony to flush with living room, removal of roof beam. sealing up of windows (duno for wat use small 1 sqft) and patching up of floors - 14k nett
2) Carpentry for custom 2 full ht cabinets 7.5ft by 8.5ft by 1.5ft (living room) and kitchen cabinets with solid top - 8.7k nett
3) Electrician - re-wiring whole house (cant remember how many 13As, cat6, SCV sockets :D) 3.5k nett
4) Painting - whole house pearl white based with only for rooms (x4) half orangy light yellow/pearl white - 2k

In short my reno cost is 28.2k.

Electrical appliances/AC/Furnishings/accessories/lightings = 22k+

Budgeted 50K so just nice over budget of less than 1k... :D
 
Last edited:

Kaylin

High Supremacy Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2004
Messages
37,517
Reaction score
59,652
i will be buying most of my furnishings from taobao, dont think will get in sg. nowadays people all buy from taobao or jb or bangkok, sg's things are too ex!
 

gentoro

Master Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2004
Messages
4,474
Reaction score
8
i will be buying most of my furnishings from taobao, dont think will get in sg. nowadays people all buy from taobao or jb or bangkok, sg's things are too ex!

Lolz... Sure can. I abit sceptical about JB and Taobao quality. Both I seen with real eyes on their quality and make.

JB - mostly same quality as local furniture stall cos we get it from them. The diff is exchange (buy in RM) and had to pay taxes for both Malaysia and SG in bring in plus surcharge of transport. (no warranty) Simply meant if any manufacturer fault, had to bring back to store in JB. Dun think you will be doing that. :D Some quality are ok but some are not 20%. Depend on luck too

Taobao - More "no warranty" and laggi cheaper in RMB. Yes, S$90 can get you a nice 4 drawer cabinet BUT... I really saw the piece. You had to diy fix up (Most of them cames in KD, Knockdown) and for durability and sturdily wise, I had doubts.
 

Kaylin

High Supremacy Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2004
Messages
37,517
Reaction score
59,652
Lolz... Sure can. I abit sceptical about JB and Taobao quality. Both I seen with real eyes on their quality and make.

JB - mostly same quality as local furniture stall cos we get it from them. The diff is exchange (buy in RM) and had to pay taxes for both Malaysia and SG in bring in plus surcharge of transport. (no warranty) Simply meant if any manufacturer fault, had to bring back to store in JB. Dun think you will be doing that. :D Some quality are ok but some are not 20%. Depend on luck too

Taobao - More "no warranty" and laggi cheaper in RMB. Yes, S$90 can get you a nice 4 drawer cabinet BUT... I really saw the piece. You had to diy fix up (Most of them cames in KD, Knockdown) and for durability and sturdily wise, I had doubts.

i've been a taobao shopper for 4 years, i think tmall's quality is better on average. it all depends on how long you intend to have those things. nothing lasts anyway, even for electronic stuff bought in sg, i always buy extended warranty. if something from taobao is dirt cheap i think i will be happy to use it for 6 mths to 1 year! anything more than that is bonus. gives me a chance to buy new things because if its not spoilt then its hard to get rid even if you want to lol.

for appliances, i have an android tv box, food dehydrator, vacuum sealer. 2 years + and they're still working.

anyway quality wise, IKEA is the worst. my tv sideboard door came off after 3 days so will never buy furniture from them again!
 

blissfulhome

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2015
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Just sharing a good deal :) Pardon my long winded story

Nowadays BTO are getting smaller and lack of storage space is my main challenge. After getting keys to my BTO, i realised my masterbedroom is really small :unsure:. So i was searching for a storage bed with nice contemporary design.

Went to so many furniture store and expo but get quoted really expensive :( Range between $1200 ~ $1500 for a hydraulic pull up Queen size bed. This haven't even include the mattress yet.

After an extensive research i decided to search online instead and chance upon this store The Furniture Guys Singapore on FB. They have some storage beds with nice design headboard. What attracted me more is their pricing! Bought my bed at only $748 with my desired design!

Tried to attach the photo here but i could not. But, you may whatssap them at 92348877 , they will give you sample or real customer picture to see. Cheers!
 

gentoro

Master Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2004
Messages
4,474
Reaction score
8
Finally I finish my renov for my 140sqm EA. Total damage 28K (exclude furnishing), not counting the nitty gritty cost of pails, brushes, detergent etc etc...

Post here if you wanna know more on how I get to spend 28k.

Is it cheap? or not worthwhile for the amount of work I have ask for? I will get new hse pictures upload soon here. :D watch out here. :)
 

gentoro

Master Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2004
Messages
4,474
Reaction score
8
Since I am in shifting phase now. I am letting go one of my portable which used for 1 month.

Trends-TPS-P1SIN-Air-Conditioner-550x697.jpg


Model TPS-P1SIN warranty till June 2016 bought at $599.

Willing to sell at lower price plus delivery. Please drop me sms @ 9.6.9.0.5.0.5.5. for nego price. Thank... :D
 
Last edited:
Important Forum Advisory Note
This forum is moderated by volunteer moderators who will react only to members' feedback on posts. Moderators are not employees or representatives of HWZ. Forum members and moderators are responsible for their own posts.

Please refer to our Community Guidelines and Standards, Terms of Service and Member T&Cs for more information.
Top