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. 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.
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.