Well we are so excited - promissory contract now done - we hope to have completed on our apartment by Christmas. Mad you say with the euro being so strong but what the hell - we have waited so long! Just need solid advice on where to go for air con, electrician, joiner etc. Oh and we don't have any furniture but don't want one of those packs that have everything the same - want something with character. Advice please - not sales advice - sensible advice from others who have done the same thing as us - oh and we need to watch the pennies - this week we have lost a shed load as the pound plummets.

We did it about 5 years ago and used a very good aircon installer. A local man who had been recommended to us.
I would be happy to give you his details but I won't be in Tavira for 2/3 weeks and, of course, the details are there.
If you pm me I will send you the details when I get there

Hi congratulations on the purchase. Our place was fully furnished when we got it, but we have since bought a new sofa and bed from Sofa VIP in Olhao. It is opposite Moviflor which also has some nice looking furniture.

They delivered on time and were very pleasant. If I remember rightly, they dont take credit cards though, just cheques or debit cards (or cash )


There are a quite a few shops in the new shopping centre in Tavira which sell nice looking vases, rugs, ornaments etc. (once you have bought your major stuff!).

There are also cheaper shops there which sell kitchen utensils, bins etc.

And, of course, there are the ever growing chinese 'pound shops' which sell really cheap basics you might ever need (light bulbs, bin bags, screwdrivers, pegs, etc etc and so forth). Mind you saying that, the pegs I bought there broke after a few months. Strange that.

Hope all goes well for you.

Saz1

I also have a new apartment in Tavira and would be interested in the number of the man for air conditioning. Thanks

I can recomend a guy from Vila Real - Antonio Pedro.
His shop is just by the BES Bank by the roundabout on the corner opposite Lidl.

http://www.yellowpages.pai.pt/air-co...1540_2__1.html

He hardly speaks any English but he son and wife do.

He did ours for a fair price - good quality workmanship and all done while we weren't there and we didn't have to pay a penny until we were next out in Monte Gordo some three months later.

We used Tavilar for aircon and they were very good (not to mention €600 cheaper than anyone else). Sorry, I seem no longer to have the email address but they are on the "square" almost opposite the old cinema.

For furniture try T-Moveis. They have one showroom just off the 124 near the Eurotel and another just past the roundabout on the 125 near Cabanas as you head for Vila Real. There's also another one near the Mini Preço supermarket in the same building as Pagapouco.

We have used Moviflor, very efficient and we were on short timescale. From ordering to delivering just a couple of days. They turned up when they said they would etc - put everything togther and took away the packaging.

They also have a website and I believe you can order online. They do accept credit cards.

Also have a look around Vila Real for linen, towels (even the Spanish come across for the towels) lighting and kitchen stuff (china and utensils). There loads of shops and prices do vary, so shop around.

Also look in your Drogaria you can often find a bargain.

We didn't do a package of any kind and thoroughly enjoyed finding stuff from here and there.

Enjoy and Good luck

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. We will be out early December hopefully for completion and an opportunity to start sorting the place out.

we have also used TAVILAR like TT...v helpful & fair prices...all things electrical including Aircon..

Leroy Merlin in Guia ( similar to B&Q) is also probably worth a visit too

best of luck - H

I agree, Tavilar are really good. I got a couple of quote from the Guia area then went back to them and they beat the price from quoted. In addtion they are local so if any did go wrong you can at least go to the shop and get it sorted!
Joao

We furnished a house from scratch last year. If you pm me I can give you all the details etc.

We have just completed in Sao Bras De Alportel and have a complete villa to furnish. Was going to go the Ikea route,either Seville or buy in England and get a removals company to take out for us as we want to make some improvements over the winter and then put up for rental,once all is complete. This is my first post but I have tried to pm you Chris but it won't let me do it yet (as I am new). Any info would be much appreciated.