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ARTICLES

Renovation Delays Suck, But Here's An Upside To It All

Chin up – it’s not the end of the world.

Here’s the truth: it’s COVID-19’s world right now, and we’re all just living in it. Unfortunately for homeowners, it has impacted renovation projects as well.

First came the BTO delays, then Malaysia’s lockdown, and IDs around the country were forced to delay ongoing projects due to a supply chain crunch. It’s got everyone – homeowners and IDs included – anxious and frustrated, and understandably so. To say that the situation sucks may perhaps be an understatement.

But even though everyone’s worrying over the state of their homes, it is not the end of the world. Amidst the uncertainty lies a small silver lining – and that’s time.

The upside to renovation delays

Canberra Crescent by Ngieng Spatial Design
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View this project by Ngieng Spatial Design

“What? That’s your grand silver lining?” you may say. And sure, it may seem like an inconsequential one at first. But knowing how getting your own home is part of the Singaporean grand scheme of things, you’re probably dying to get your renovations done ASAP.

If that’s the case, maybe these delays can help you make better choices for your renovation. Rushing to finish your house renovations may lead you to skimp out on certain things, so perhaps with this extra time, you’ll have more breathing room to consider what your house truly needs.

Not convinced? Here are some ways to make the most out of it:

1. You can speak to more interior designers

Choa Chu Kang Avenue 7 by Tab Gallery
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View this project by Tab Gallery

The initial meeting with an interior designer is both daunting and tiring, so it’s definitely tempting to just go with one of the first few designers you meet. However, they may not always be on your wavelength – and in the long run, it may lead to heartbreaks when you don’t get the house you envisioned.

In general, a good number of IDs to speak to is around 4 or 5, although there are people who have spoken to 8 or even more! Take some time to do your research – you can even look up some questions to ask your interior designer during the meeting. From there, you can easily single out which ones you like best, and hopefully, you’re on the road to having your dream home!

2. You have more time to research and maximise your budget

Northvale by ChengYi Interior Design
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View this project by ChengYi Interior Design

Diving into your renovation process without doing prior research may cost you more than you’d like. For instance, some materials may actually be more expensive than you imagine, so spend the extra time you have now to do a little research of your own to see what you can afford.

Consider these great low-cost materials if you’re afraid of bursting your budget. Alternatively, if you’ve already set your heart on a certain interior design style, you can consider a free material palette from Materially, which is curated based on popular interior design projects.

To reduce renovation costs, check out these budget hacks as well as these renovation costs that homeowners tend to forget about. You can also see if what you want is well within your budget using our renovation calculator.

3. You can afford to ship items from overseas

Canberra Crescent by 13th Design Studio
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View this project by 13th Design Studio

Don’t just buy all your furniture and other accessories from the first shop you see on the streets. As tempting as it is, the items you see may not necessarily fit your home aesthetic, and it’s not very cost-effective, either.

Instead, take this opportunity to search for shops that sell what you need. It’s likely that you won’t be able to find everything you need locally, so cast your net out to include international shops as well. Not only will you be able to find the most fitting options, you’ll also have more time to ship items from overseas since you’re not as pressured to get everything done by a specific date.

4. You have time to prepare for the move

Bukit Batok West by Third Paragraph
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View this project by Third Paragraph

The process of moving houses isn’t necessarily a walk in the park, so now that you’ve got all this time on your hands, take the time to declutter and get rid of what you don’t need in your new home. And yes, that includes your bulky furniture as well. Remember: the more items to be moved, the higher the moving costs.

While you may be a busy bee, don’t leave everything to the last minute – you’ll only be making it more stressful than it has to be!

No, renovation delays are not the end of the world

This is, in no way, meant to invalidate your anxieties and frustrations. However, as we have discussed above, what is largely seen as a hiccup may perhaps be a blessing in disguise.

And if this extra time can bring you one step closer to your dream home, then hey – maybe the delays aren’t 100% a bad thing after all.

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The opinions expressed in this article are a personal reflection of the writer, and do not reflect the official position of Qanvast.

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