Hi there,

Looking forward to renovate a 1300 unit condo in Penang island.

Wanted to get these things done:
1) Kitchen cabinet- preferably aluminum
2) Shoe cabinet
3) TV cabinet combined with some display cabinet/shelves, around 12-14 ft
3) Plaster ceiling with lights
4) Masterbedroom wardrobe, with a window side low cabinet
5) Curtain
6) Painting
7) Electrical appliances installation, with some power point and light point

Relatively basic stuff. Nothing too extraordinary.

Found a few contractors/ID, all quoted me around 80-100 k

Just wondering if it's the normal price these days?

Any help/recommendations are appreciated!!

Yes, depending on the build-in materials quality and total amount of furniture you're looking at for a 1,300 sq ft unit. 80-100K about there.

Only way to save cost is if you have existing loose furniture that you can move in together with, or instead of more built-in carpentry opt for loose furniture.

1) Kitchen cabinet- preferably aluminum - ikea
2) Shoe cabinet - ikea
3) TV cabinet combined with some display cabinet/shelves, around 12-14 ft - ikea
3) Plaster ceiling with lights - less than 5k
4) Masterbedroom wardrobe, with a window side low cabinet - ikea
5) Curtain - less than 3k
6) Painting - less than 3k or DIY urself
7) Electrical appliances installation, with some power point and light point - less than 1k

If you wish to bring down the renovation cost with these items in mind, I would suggest that you deal directly with furniture maker instead of the contractor. it will be time taxing but you get to save at least a good RM 20K and RM 30K down the road.

furniture part.. u can deal with the supplier directly.... or like some says.. Ikea

others, then deal with contractors...

can save few K...
at least something...

total budget....
depending on material u using for renovations....

One of my fren, who bought south bay plaza duplex
Bought all things from tao bao china
and they shipped here

Tv cabinet, sofa, dining table, can search in leong gay, anson road

Mattress, can go lavino burmah road, m haus, jln gottlieb,
Jfs jelutong perak road

and try find interior design & draw a full sketch on furnishing

Wireman, hin electrical service, c.k loo , 0124980359

Just my 2 cents, I'd say that's a reasonable price to have someone manage it for you. Based on my own communications and research while planning my own reno, around RM100 per sq/ft is the benchmark with average to above average finishes (and since you never mentioned toilets, yard, etc., the price quoted more or less fits this benchmark).

But like what the other posters have said, if you're willing to micromanage, engage different contractors and purchase materials yourself, you can probably realise around 10% to 20% savings.

This post has been edited by wira1979: Feb 16 2021, 11:51 AM

Thank you for all the replies. Appreciate it!

Do you mean RM100/ Sq ft?

with my estimation based on my previous 2 houses experience in penang..
1. 10~18k depdning on your length..
2. shoes cabinet usually 3k+-.. (within 6ft wide and 7ft height).. RM500 per ft
3. recently i did 13ft in condo (1 tall cabinet with display&light) drawer for tv cabinet.. hanging type.. total 7k..
4. plaster ceiling really depend on design.. lighting if u referring to 1 eyeball exchangeable by bulb, maybe rm25 per set. straight led maybe can low as rm10 or below.
5. what is ur prefered length/size. as mentioned, rm500 per ft.. mean 8ft = 4k.. but it can further increae=se ur cost if u want full height.. some people cut cost by during 8ft height and use plaster ceiling cover it..if ready made, then it is a lot cheaper..
6. usually 2~4k depending on materials..
7. painting usually 2k~3k based on your size.. 2k is minimum unless u are specific certain brand/certain series of paint, then u might need upgrade the package..
8. lighting point, plug points are standard price.. usually 30~40 per light & 60~80 per plug points.. installation fee another cost.. RM10 for each light, plug points.. fan RM30~40.. some even hv double pole switch which may cause you rm100?!

we are not sure your desired interior design or what kind of feel that you want.. but looking at ur list and quotation at 80~100k.. i think it is current market price.. every material come with a cost.. not much difference between each contractor.. unless you find ur own contractor and handle them by yourselve.. just like me.. it might save few thousand in total..

if you know how to drill and install certain accessories like mirror, tv rack, drying rack blablabla.. then u may save another few hundreds to thousands.. quick benchmark for cabinet cost/price.. RM500 per ft is almost the minimum ady.. so you could take that.. some contractor have different accessories inside cabinet/drawer then might cost higher..

in my view, total items above could done within 60k.. but if your quotation including electrical appliance such as air cond, fridge, tv, door grill and bathroom stainless steel accessories, mattress & etc.. then i think 80k~100k is reasonable.. basically do according to your own budget.. first priority, get wiring works done first (your plug point location, your lighting choices.. all of these will need to plan and conceal by plaster ceiling after that.. u will not try to redo after renovation complete.. e.g. your total kitchen appliance, ur total electrical appliance in tv cabinet, your bedroom, your office & blablabla..

This post has been edited by ChuanHong: Feb 16 2021, 10:36 AM

My apologies. Yes, around RM100/sqft.