megko

For big items, like air con, hob/cooker, fridge, washing machine, etc..if you have decided on a good model, and there's a sale, can book early and most stores can hold for you for a while. But these items got to do with your reno, as the dimensions may affect the layout. So it's likely your contractor will chase you to go get them soon. For LCD/LED TV...the latter, the new technology and a huge drop in prices for older models......so...that can wait, I think, unless the sale is resistible and you don't mind an older model. Small items like oven, rice cooker, are only esentials when you move in...so can buy much later and they are not too expensive so price flunctuations shouldn't affect your budget vey much.

I have just bought a system 2 from gain city as they have a promo for trade-in (my 10 year air con is no longer working). Why I go to gain city? 1. The aire-control people who serviced the air con kept making us pay for the chemical wash and in the end still run into problems (not cold, noisy and finally breakdown). They suggested getting a new system. 2. Called a technician recommended from NTUC, who came and charged us $450 for a condenser.... 3. 3 mths later one of the fan coil is no longer working. Aire-Control and the Ntuc technicia both said really must change. I oredi spent $450 plus servicing plus chemical wash , all for nothing. So in the end, refused to get from either of them, saw an advert for trade-in promo at gain city and decided to go with them. Trade in means $100/- off the new system. Piping no need to change, so another $100/- off. Also buy up their $299/- 5 years warranty on the aircon. The service and their installation technician are really quite good.

Wall decals are all the rage now.....try also modishop

It's cheaper to overlay the tiles, than hacking and laying new tiles. Most wise to just do the wet-works first with your budget - flooring, kitchen and bathroom/toilets. kitchen cabinets usu costs about $2000-$3000. but if you don't it cheaper, don't built the top cabinents, just do the bottom, with stove. Save a lot. Painting - to save cost, do it yourself. If DIY with friends, can be less than $200/- . Rather tough but save a lot. Then if you want character and style, can use wall-decals to decorate....very fashionable. room doors - can do a paintover yourself with nice wood paint, so no need to change. window grilles can be done later, but aluminium grilles are usu not too costly. Taps/showers/curtains rods - drill yourself, and go get ready made curtains from spotlights or ikea ,save a lot. Built in cupboards- very expensive, can do it later. Anything custom-built is expensive.

looks ex to me...My polishing of marble floor (dining+living) is less than $1000/-. painting of whole house - ceiling/walls - S$1200. For kitchen cabinents, try Classic Kitchens...they are very good at kitchens. Initial quote may seems expensive but they reduce the quote after actual measurements.

WindowImage (Marina Square / Causeway Point). Rather expensive, but service is good and quality is good too. Takes about 2-3 weeks. Rail tracks - $40/- track. Living curtains (long curtains) - S$600/- (approximate).

Species has a weird salesman.....but generally they are not the cheapest. Can try out Cellini which has better quality sofas....Mostly the prices on display is not the actual price, as they usually have promotion and discounts.

Goodrich wallpaper can range from the cheap $60/+ to good quality/latest design $200/-. They are the main supplier of wallpaper in AsiaPacific and has been in the business for years. They charge about $300/- installation for first 4 rolls and subsequent roll, they'll charge further, sth like $50/- additional and more. Generally for one wall in a bedroom, it's about 3 rolls. For a wall in a living room it's about 4 rolls. A lot depends on the design you choose as well, coz diff rolls come in different length etc.. so you can budget about $600-800/per wall. Yes, wallpapering is expensive. It's best you go to their gallery (open daily till 6pm) to view their huge range of designs. You can engage your contractor to put up the wallpaper for you, which may be slightly cheaper in terms of workmanship cost. Note that it takes about 2-3 weeks for each wallpaper order as they have to order from Europe. Most contractors/design houses get their wallpaper from Goodrich as well. They do give 3 years warranty for their workmanship (not wear/tear). BTW, if you think wallpapering is not in your budget, consider walldecals which is all the rage nowadays. About S$100-200 to buy the stickers to do it yourself. check out modishop.

3M

Got most of my lightings from LC Lighting centre - Shaw Plaza. Look for uncle Philip - he is good at recommending me affordable quality lights. If it's from spain, he will tell you so. If it's from China, he'll tell you so. For any shop you go to along Balestier, ask for discount.

WindowImage @Marina. They have some rather high end brands like Hunter Douglas.

Elmark?http://www.elmark.com.sg/index.html

Yeap, 5kg usu enough for our Singapore-style clothes...as we don't wear much of winter clothings here. Usu, i use my dryer on rainy days, when the clothes just won't dry. also use it to give a final death sentence to any dust mites on my bedsheets, pillow cases. Fisher/Paykel- have it for 5 years liao...still robust.

Mdm Seah @HongLiang also quite helpful.