Getting Furniture Made?

[duncanmacleod]

Hi everyone. Moving in July and am deciding on buying furniture in the US and shipping or getting stuff made in Singapore.

We are looking at getting a bed frame made, some side tables, and a dresser (hopefully out of off color white wood / finish).

Thoughts on this? Could someone recommend a place that makes custom made furniture off of a picture? Thanks!

[offshoreoildude]

Hi everyone. Moving in July and am deciding on buying furniture in the US and shipping or getting stuff made in Singapore.

We are looking at getting a bed frame made, some side tables, and a dresser (hopefully out of off color white wood / finish).

Thoughts on this? Could someone recommend a place that makes custom made furniture off of a picture? Thanks!

Why does it need to be custom made?

But yes, you can have that done here. Renovation contractors are good place to start.

[JR8]

Most tropical timbers are darker hardwood, so I don't know about the general availability of pale timber in Singapore.

A colleague of mine had a 1/2 container load of furniture custom made in Bali, and had it shipped up to SG. But that was teak.

I sense you might be rather swimming against the tide on this one: many expats buy their staples from IKEA.

[auds424]

I am in a similar situation. I'm coming from China and am having furniture made before I come out here. Shocked at the Sing prices and lack of style options, I'd like to get more made while I'm in Singapore. Have you found any renovation contractors that you'd recommend?

Also, how is the haggling with renovation contractors? I know I won't beat China prices, but I'd like to beat the in-store Sing ones.

Thanks!

[ashitawa1983]

well I think for furnitures purchase Ikea is the only option unfortunately in SG...

[katbh]

Sorry. I have really not heard of anyone getting furniture made in Singapore to make it CHEAPER. Yes, people get stuff made here but only really high end stuff. But it is not usually actually made here - the order is taken here and then sent off to Indo or Malaysia to be made. And yes, mostly teak. Teak is used as it does not expand like other wood and resists termites. But then if you take it back to dry climate it will split.
So really, you need to look at the furniture that you already have and only bring that furniture that will not be ruined by the humidity coupled with dryness of aircon (if you use it). And I really would not bank on getting something made here. Good contractors are hard enough to find to do basic contracting work like plumbing, electricals, hacking - let alone if you want specific high end work done.