What to Expect When Renovating in the New Normal

Interior design firm, IQI Concept Interior Design & Renovation, reveals how the home renovation industry has changed since the pandemic and what to expect when renovating during this uncertain time.

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As millions of Malaysians work or attend online classes from home, the desire for personal space has prompted homeowners to seek interior designers to improve or expand areas in their homes in addition to a space for retreat.

However, many homeowners are unsure whether now is the best time to begin their renovation project as the pandemic has caused labour shortages and rising material costs. To assist homeowners in better navigating this situation, we consulted with IQI Concept Interior Design & Renovation to answer some key questions about renovating in the new normal in order to minimise disruptions to your future renovation plans.

Qanvast: Hi, can you give us a brief intro about yourself and your company?

Yie Yee: Hello, my name is Yie Yee and I work at IQI Concept Interior Design & Renovation as an interior designer. We are a full-service interior design firm based in Kuala Lumpur, offering services ranging from custom design and build, wet works, and architecture to residential and commercial clients.

Q: How has your company evolved since pre-Covid-19?

YY: At the time of writing, all of our design and construction services are operational. To ensure a safe environment for our clients and team, on-site renovation work has resumed in accordance with strict SOPs as laid out by the authorities, building management, and our company. However, with the SOPs in place, we are unable to work at full capacity in comparison to pre-Covid times, which has an impact on the renovation timeline.

We are also permitted to make physical visits - just that some sites require us to take an Antigen Rapid Test before we do.

Q: What precautions has your company taken to ensure the safety of its clients and employees during a site visit?

YY: Our team's and clients' health and safety are our top priorities. As a result, we have a set of meeting guidelines that we follow before meeting with our client during a site visit. These include:

• Scheduling a site visit only 14 days after clients have been fully vaccinated.
• On the day of the appointment, both parties must check their risk status on the MySejahtera app and update each other. Only those with low-risk and casual contact with no symptoms are permitted to meet.
• Both parties must always wear masks, sanitise their hands frequently, and maintain social distance.

Q: What should homeowners expect if they plan to renovate during the pandemic?

YY: Since the economy has gradually opened up, the industry has faced a shortage of materials due to supply chain issues and factory shutdowns during the MCO (Malaysian Control Movement). As a result, homeowners should expect an increase in building material costs.

Renovation work will also take longer than it did before the pandemic because we will need to limit the number of workers and subcontractors on the job site in accordance with strict SOP guidelines. Most strata title properties have strict protocols and limited noisy work time slots that must be followed, so expect delays in on-site work completion as our contractors must follow the new rules.

Q: How should the homeowners prepare themselves before embarking on a renovation project in the new normal?

YY: If you intend to renovate your home, we recommend that you:

1. Create a detailed list of the requirements you and your family want for your home renovation

The pandemic has changed the world’s society and the way we live. As people are confined in their homes and people are spending much more time at home even after the lockdowns are lifted, home designs will need to adapt to the new lifestyles.

Before embarking on a renovation project, homeowners should consider how they want their homes to do so. For example, will your family members be working or taking online classes from home more frequently? Having a clear list of requirements before meeting with an interior designer will help your renovation project run more smoothly.

2. Determine a budget

Knowing how much money you have set aside or are willing to spend will allow us to guide you more efficiently through this process.

Note: As previously stated, when allocating your budget, keep in mind the rising cost of building materials!

3. Keep an open mind!

An interior designer will not only bring their expertise and knowledge to a project but also a fresh set of eyes. They will be able to identify potential or inherent pain points in a space and then provide creative solutions. So, once you've given your input, keep an open mind and allow your interior designer to bring some ideas and solutions you may not have considered in order to make your dream home a reality!

Move your physical meetings online

If you plan to renovate your home in the coming months, why not skip the in-person meeting and do it virtually? The interior designers whom we work with are more than happy to discuss your plans online, whether via WhatsApp video call, Zoom, FaceTime, or Google Hangout.

Simply let us know your renovation requirements in our form here and we will recommend you from up to four local interior design firms for free!

All recommendations made by Qanvast will be protected under the Qanvast Guarantee scheme that covers 50% of your contract value, up to RM50,000, in the case that the recommended interior firm becomes insolvent.

If you have any queries, feel free to reach out to us at any time, he’d be happy to help! In the meantime, stay safe and healthy!

Meet interior designers. Get quotes. Based on your requirements, we will recommend you up to 5 firms with the Qanvast Guarantee. Get Free Quotes