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Renovating During Coronavirus Outbreak? What IDs Have to Say

April 10, 2020

As we face the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, thousands of homeowners in Malaysia face months of uncertainty as the virus impacts their home renovation projects. But how exactly have things changed since the start of the Movement Control Order (MCO) which took effect on 18/03/2020?

Anjali Residence, Kuala Lumpur by IQI Concept Interior Design & Renovation
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We asked several Malaysian interior designers to share their experiences in dealing with this situation and to answer the question that has been hanging on homeowners minds: Should I go through with my home renovation during the coronavirus outbreak?


Janny Nye - Director of Interior Hunters

Q: What steps has Interior Hunters taken since the government announced the MCO?

A: Interior Hunters started practising online service the day before the MCO announcement. Once we acknowledge the lockdown on 16/3/2020, our team has already started working from home (on 17/3/2020). We organised an online meeting via Skype and we began to list down all of our existing clients to prepare for online communication. Meanwhile, our project team reacted immediately on the action list for all on-going projects.

One Residence, Sekinchan by Interior Hunters Sdn Bhd
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View this project by Interior Hunters Sdn Bhd

Q: What about projects that are currently under renovation?

A: Apparently we are not allowed to get in the building to do anything as we have been forced to stop all the progress on site. On 17/3/2020, our focus was to get all the goods protected on-site and to make sure the progressive goods remain in good condition once we resume our work on-site. We also took immediate action by communicating and reporting the situation to all our clients.

Q. Have you encountered any major renovation problem (eg. a roof leak that’s causing water to short circuit their electricals) during renovation put on hold?

A: Unfortunately, we encountered 2 cases of leaking on-site during MCO. We reported to the building management on the seriousness and we were allowed to fix it immediately before the leakage became serious.

One Residence, Sekinchan by Interior Hunters Sdn Bhd
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View this project by Interior Hunters Sdn Bhd

Q: Can homeowners contact Interior Hunters for home renovation during the MCO period?

A: Yes. Homeowners can still contact us for advice on how to plan your renovation during this MCO period, after all, the MCO is just a temporary situation that we are all encountering right now. Things will get back on track once the situation gets better!


IQI Concept Team

Q: What precautions have IQI Concept taken since the MCO took effect on 18/03/2020?

A: Since the announcement, our team has been working from home, updating each other and our clients via various online communication platforms such as Whatsapp, telegram, Zoom and email. All prior meetings with clients have been postponed until the MCO is lifted by the government.

The day before the enforcement of the MCO (17/03/2020), our team has informed all of our clients on the progress and site conditions and also make sure that all doors, windows and gates of the renovation sites are locked to ensure site safety as all on-going renovations have to be put on hold.

Eco Sanctuary, Kota Kemuning by IQI Concept Interior Design & Renovation
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Q: How are your clients responding regarding this MCO situation?

A: Our clients been very supportive and understanding of the situation that we are all in. This is also partly because we ensure our clients that their home is well taken care of and all updates and progress have been sent across before the enforcement of the MCO. No one saw this coming and no one would want this to happen. Since this has happened, we all from all walks of life have to do our part in overcoming this pandemic we are all in.

Eco Sanctuary, Kota Kemuning by IQI Concept Interior Design & Renovation
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Q: Can homeowners contact IQI Concept for home renovation during the MCO period?

A: Yes definitely! Homeowners can contact us via our FB page or our official WhatsApp line (+6013-331 4218) to get in touch with us. We cannot pay a visit to your site during this period but we can speak to you to understand your renovation requirements during this MCO via various online communication platforms so that we can speed up the inquiry process when the MCO has been lifted.


Daniel.W - Project Director of D.Co Interior Design

Q: What immediate actions have D.Co taken since the MCO took effect on 18/03/2020?

A: Since the beginning of MCO, D.Co have been following the rules and regulation by the government by not carrying out any on-site renovation/construction, but we will be there once a week to ensure the pest control is taken into measure.

Metropolitan, Damansara by D.Co Interior Design
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View this project by D.Co Interior Design

Q: What about clients who have yet begun on-site renovations?

A: We have been working with our clients and communicating with them very closely (via Whatsapp and Zoom) on the design and details so that once the MCO is over we will be able to get back on track.

Q: Can homeowners contact D.Co for home renovation during the MCO period?

A: Yes, you can contact us, but we will not be able to do any construction or renovation during MCO. This is actually the best time for clients to communicate with us in terms of design and details so that once MCO is over we can kick start their home renovation/construction.


Jamie Kok, Interior Designer of EMPT Studio

Q: How are EMPT Studio coping with the current COVID-19 situation?

A: We’ve taken this pandemic seriously and have been working from home since the MCO announcement.

Q. What about your clients?

A: All our clients understand the situation that we are all in and are willing to work with us remotely to receive progress updates on their home renovation.

The E-House, Tanjung Tokong Penang by EMPT Studio
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View this project by EMPT Studio

Q: Can homeowners contact EMPT Studio for home renovation during the MCO period?

A: Yes, we’re still operating and we can work on your home design remotely during this period however site renovation will definitely have to be delayed until the MCO is lifted.

To sum up

The COVID-19 situation will eventually improve, so instead of shelving your renovation plans why not take this time to conduct video calls with interior designers for design consultation on your renovation plans. This way, once the MCO is lifted, your interior designer can begin the on-site renovation works as soon as possible!

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