Montenegro Girl x
Finding a project manager & the top home shops in Montenegro: renovation update
After nearly a month in Montenegro enjoying the heat and buzz of the summer, I thought it was time to do an update on the renovation of my apartment and fill you in on all the Montenegro home shops I’ve been discovering.
And I am pleased to announce (pause for dramatic drum roll), that I have finally appointed a project manager. Yes, after months of feeling the refurbishment project was slowly slipping through my fingers and despite my best intentions – and (self-proclaimed) top organisational skills – it is all back on!
Less than 36 hours before my flight back to UK, I finally appointed a project manager. A gentle-natured man with the appropriately Slavic name of Goran, who was keen to show me lots of photos of his work on the mini iPad he brought along with him. He runs his own building company and will oversee the whole process. Hoorah! (Do you think it’s a bit too soon for the firework display?)
Back on track with my Montenegrin renovation
My 2 meetings with him were reassuringly both a bit of a family affair too. We met his pretty daughter who translated for us in her impeccable English and then his son, who had recently joined the business and was learning the latest Italian plaster techniques.
And there wasn’t even any drinking of liquor, swearing or spitting involved. Unlike the first time I renovated.
I breathed a sigh of relief that my renovation abroad was back on track once again.
One small step for my apartment refurbishment, one giant leap for my Montenegro dream.
So, I am now planning an extra trip back to Montenegro next month. My credit card is at the ready and my brain is cranking up for a mammoth shopping spree for all things home related.
Home shops in Montenegro
Shopping in Montenegro is a bit different to the UK. In England I seem to have all the choice I could possibly want, just a click away from the comfort of my sofa. If I do fancy a real “touch it and feel it” shopping experience, I am also within fairly easy reach of a vast range of shops, large and small.
Not so in Montenegro. Internet shopping is still barely in existence. Technomax and Cungu are the only shops I have seen so far where you can actually buy through their website.
Most shops do seem to have websites (with an English translation tab), but they don’t seem to show their full range of products. So, you still have to visit the shop to see what they have.
So, a lot of leg work is required for shopping in Montenegro. And my legs did indeed work hard this summer, doing lots of research.
On the upside, the choice available is heaps better than 15 years ago when I bought my apartment. In fact, 100 times better. Still not as good as UK, but perhaps less choice may make the decision-making process a little simpler. I hope so, at least.
So, the bit is between my teeth and I am now in the process of finishing my research for tiles and kitchens by email. Many of the shops gave me email addresses so that I could liaise and get prices with them when I was back in England.
All that remains after that is to make my final decision for the kitchen layout and other fittings, so that I have a clear list of all that I need to buy next month. (It promises to be a lengthy one too).
So, for all you budding home renovators in Montenegro, I thought it would be useful to share my shortlist of home shops where I am looking to buy the fittings and fixtures for my apartment. Hope you find it useful.
(By the way in case you don’t recognise the name, Radanovici is only a few miles from Tivat and Kotor).
My list of best home shops in Montenegro
Kitchen cabinets
These companies all have showrooms and supply and fit a nice range of good quality units (including German brands). Check what is included in the quote as many do not automatically include connection of the water (taps etc) and electrical appliances.
Objekta – based in Radanovici. Good 3d plans provided.
Eurocasa – stores in Podgorica and Radanovici. Lovely units and seem to be a fair price.
Emmeti – stores in Podgorica and Radanovici
Kitchen appliances & smaller electrical items
Technomax – 9 stores across country, including Podgorica and Radanovici. You can order online too.
Bathroom fittings
Kips – 8 shops across country, including Podgorica and Radanovici. Good value prices with a good range on offer.
Entext – Radanovici and Podgorica. High quality store with some upmarket options. They have worked on the Hilton at Podgorica, Lustica Bay and other luxury developments.
Hausmajstor – Main store in Podgorica with smaller shops in Radanovici, Bar and Niksic.
Cungu – by tunnel to Kotor (Tivat side) and Ulcinj. Only has a few bathroom vanity units, but they are great value. You can order online too.
Tiles
Kips – good range of styles and prices.
Entext – beautiful tiles. If you want something a little more bling then this has a fantastic range. The sales manager, Petar Markovic, at the Podgorica store has been extremely helpful in answering my email queries and speaks excellent English.
Other fittings
Kips – They sell kitchen taps, sinks and a host of other items you may need such as plug and light sockets, immersion heaters etc.
Lighting
Temas Lighting – Podgorica. Not the cheapest but good range of stylish lights. No website, but you can find them on Facebook.
Buy from your favourite home shops in Montenegro
Habitat – Podgorica. Can order anything in on request from the French Habitat website. You can email them the item and code, and they will confirm availability and price. The business operations manager, Krsto Covic, is very helpful. Their website didn’t seem to be working at the time of writing, but you can find them on Facebook @habitatcg.
Sofa Bed – Podgorica. No website, but they are on Facebook @sofabedcg. Stocks a selection of Ikea lights. They add a commission on top of the standard Ikea price, so it’s not quite the bargain you would get at an Ikea store. They can order anything in on request from the Budapest Ikea (Hungary) website. Just email Sofa Bed the item and code and they will confirm availability and price.
More top tips for furniture shops in Montenegro to follow next time! Until then, my friend …
Vidimo se!
Montenegro Girl x
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