Home Renovation: Avoiding Costly Pitfalls

Home renovation is a significant investment for many people, often costing several hundred thousand dollars. However, the myriad of potential pitfalls can leave homeowners bewildered. According to data released by the Consumer Council, from 2017 to 2023, they received over 1,200 complaints regarding home renovations, with an average involved cost of HK$200,000 to HK$300,000, and the highest being HK$2.7 million. As moving into a new home should be a happy occasion, homeowners need to be especially vigilant when choosing a renovation company and throughout the renovation process. The following are some common renovation pitfalls and taboos to avoid when selecting a renovation company. We have also consolidated the suggestions of the Consumer Council to help homeowners avoid these traps.

Home Renovation: Avoiding Costly Pitfalls - 2

Common Renovation Pitfalls

1. Toilet Waterproofing Issues

Many homeowners overlook toilet waterproofing during renovations. If waterproofing is not explicitly requested from the renovation company, it may result in leakage problems after moving in, affecting not only living comfort but also potentially damaging other renovations and furniture, leading to increased maintenance costs.

2. Hidden Costs of Power Outlet Locations

Some renovation companies may unilaterally change the location or increase the number of power outlets without the homeowner's consent. This can significantly increase the final bill and cause misunderstandings and dissatisfaction with renovation costs. Therefore, homeowners should clearly state in the contract the required number and location of power outlets to avoid disputes later on.

3. Negligence in Painting Process

Before painting, priming and plastering should be done to ensure smooth walls and proper paint adhesion. If the renovator directly applies new paint, it will easily peel off, affecting aesthetics and durability. Homeowners need to confirm with the workers that they will, at the very least, complete the following steps to guarantee quality: priming, plastering, and applying new paint.

4. Floor and Tile Installation Quality

The quality of floor and tile installation directly impacts the overall aesthetics and lifespan of a home. Improper installation may result in cracks or uneven surfaces, causing inconvenience in daily life. Homeowners should inspect the work periodically during the installation process to ensure it meets expectations.

5. Material-Related Hazards

During renovations, some companies may use inferior or old materials while claiming they are new. This practice not only harms consumers' interests but may also create safety hazards. Homeowners should request a detailed list of materials and their sources from the renovation company to ensure that the materials used meet the required standards.

Home Renovation: Avoiding Costly Pitfalls - 3

See more: 【Home Renovation First Step】Newbie Renovation Must-Read Guide: 5 Things You Must Know Before Starting Work

Big No-Nos When Choosing a Renovation Company

There are quite a number of renovation companies in the market that advertise heavily on Google and various social media platforms, luring customers with extremely low prices or impressive demonstration unit pictures. However, many homeowners often lack sufficient knowledge about the company's background, expertise, and industry reputation, which can easily lead to falling into traps. Therefore, when selecting a renovation company, beware of the following pitfalls:

1. Don't Be Tempted by Cheap Packages

Many renovation companies nowadays offer special discounted packages to attract homeowners. However, these packages often hide extra charges during the actual renovation work, resulting in a significantly higher final bill. Homeowners should carefully read the contract terms to avoid losing out.

2. Lack of Market Research

Many homeowners, due to their eagerness, do not conduct sufficient market research and are easily attracted by advertisements when choosing a renovation company. This may result in selecting a company that charges high prices but delivers unsatisfactory quality. Homeowners should remain rational and make comparisons or seek recommendations from friends and family. The renovation matching platform intelligently matches homeowners with three companies and provides a free unified format "3-in-1 Quotation" for easy comparison. This allows homeowners to truly "compare three quotes" and choose the most suitable renovation company according to their needs.

3. Relying on Verbal Agreements

Some homeowners allow renovation companies to start work without signing a detailed contract. This gives the company free rein to change items or prices at will, leaving the homeowner unable to protect their rights. Homeowners must insist on a clear written contract that spells out in black and white all items, costs, and terms to safeguard the interests of both parties.

Home Renovation: Avoiding Costly Pitfalls - 4

See more: 【Renovation Quoting Common Pitfalls】Consumer Council Report: 9 Potential Traps and How to Avoid Them

4 Suggestions from the Consumer Council

In response to the numerous complaint cases, the Consumer Council has made several suggestions, which are consolidated by Deco-Man as follows:

1. Allow Time for Research and Comparison

Before selecting a renovation company, homeowners should spend time researching and comparing quotes from multiple companies to understand the market rates. The more detailed and clear the quote is, the better, as it can help avoid potential disputes in the future.

2. Establish a Detailed and Clear Contract

A contract should be signed for all renovation projects, and it must include the company chop, all items and fees, construction period, payment terms, warranty terms, etc. This effectively safeguards the rights of the homeowner and prevents unnecessary disputes.

3. Obtain Quotes for Additional Items in Advance

For items that may be disputed, such as the number of electrical outlets, homeowners should take the initiative to inquire and request the renovation company to provide a quote for any extra items before proceeding. This prevents unexpected fees from arising after the fact.

4. Regularly Verify Progress and Costs

Homeowners should verify the progress and costs with the renovation company before each payment stage to ensure that all work complies with the contract. This allows for early problem detection and timely resolution, ensuring the smooth progress of the project.

Deco-Man's Tips to Avoid Traps

To avoid falling into the same traps as others, homeowners can enroll in the Renovation Trap Prevention Class to gain first-hand experience and learn practical renovation information, greatly reducing the risk of falling into renovation traps.

Free Renovation Consulting Service

Deco-Man also provides free consulting services, with no charges for any pre-renovation inquiries. Homeowners can also opt for our renovation consultant service, which oversees the entire renovation project. Should any disputes arise during the project, the consultant will act as a third party to balance the interests of both sides and help resolve the dispute as soon as possible.