15 Guides to Hire Reliable Renovation Contractors

“Contractor completes simple hacking works after being paid a 50% deposit upfront. He then disappeared and was uncontactable.“

“Contractor’s workers have poor workmanship which results in low-quality work.“

“Contractor asking for another sum of money for unforeseen circumstances, citing errors in the quotation.“

Every homeowner will go through a home renovation process. Unlike construction, the renovation industry in Malaysia is unregulated.

There are a lot of freelancers who self-proclaim renovation contractors. Registering a company is easy and when things go wrong, they just wind up and open another company.

Homeowners felt scammed, the house is left unfinished, and authority is likely consider this as a normal dispute. It takes forever to recoup the losses.   

Here are 15 Guide to Hire Reliable Renovation Contractor, divided into 3 phases:

Phase 1: Search For Quality Contractor – 5 Guides

1. Ask for recommended, reliable contractors near your area
2. Shortlist a few good contractors for the project
3. Do a thorough background check 
4. Know Your Renovation Requirement & Ask Questions
5. What is your Budget?

Phase 2: Finalizing Renovation Contractor – 4 Guides

6. Make sure the Details and scope of work are clear
7. Never Agree To High-Level Cost Estimation, Unclear Payment Terms
8. Only make payment as per agreed payment terms
9. Renovation Contract – A Must and Signed Only After Both Parties are Satisfy with it

Phase 3: During Renovation – 6 Guides

10. Obtain Relevant Permits and Passes From Local Authorities
11. Do not pay the working deposit to the Management (If Applicable)
12. Visit the Site Regularly To Check Workmanship Quality
13. Keep all communication records with a contractor
14. Do a thorough inspection after completion
15. Be A Good Client

1. Ask for recommended, reliable contractors near your area

If you’re a newbie in renovation, the best way to get started is to ask around. Check with your family, friends, or neighbors for recommendations.

It would be even better if someone knew the contractors or was satisfied with their services previously.

Getting contractors for trusted platforms is another good method, and it’s free. You can check their verified portfolios and have a third party to do preliminary screen contractors for you.

No matter how you find your contractors, the next step is a must:

2. Shortlist a few good contractors for the project

Never settle with just one contractor, even if they are recommended by people you trusted and presented an excellent project to you.

You’re encouraged to get quotes from 3 – 10 contractors and narrow them down to 3 good contractors for the project. This way, you have a clear comparison of their cost estimates and know which deal to go with.

Once you have the list, do next.

3. Do a thorough background check 

Nothing is more important than knowing your potential contractor’s background, how long they have been in the business, how is their reputation, post projects, and reviews from their previous customers.

You need to know that they can deliver your renovation project. For example, you do not want a plumber to do full house carpentry & wiring works, even if he has the best quotation.

On Heroreno, we check all our contractors and if something goes wrong, we will cover the mess for the homeowner!

4. Know Your Renovation Requirement & Ask Questions

If you do not know what to do, your renovation contractors will design freely based on their ideas.

That could be helpful if you just want a simple grey kitchen cabinet with a sinkhole.

Draw sketches, be specific on length, number of power outlets, type of lights fixtured, color codes, and details that assist in creating an accurate picture of your renovation project.

Never shy to ask questions, even if they are silly questions.

And in return from the contractor, they’re for sure asked the next question:

5. What is your Budget?

It’s tricky to answer because you’re probably flexible on budget and rely on their quotation to decide the amount.

You are encouraged to do homework on how much your renovation will cost and set an average budget. Check out How to calculate the renovation cost in Malaysia.

You do not need to rush to reveal your number, instead, ask the contractor to send their quotation based on your requirements.

6. Make sure the Details and scope of work are clear

Quotations from your contractors should outline the scope of work and pricing that satisfy the requirements you provided. 

Make sure you review them. Be careful with the item dimensions, materials, decorations, or clauses by the contractors.

It would be great if a detailed floor plan and 3D figures of the interior design were provided.

Timeline, pricing, payment terms, and other factors should be listed clearly. If not, ask questions!

7. Never Agree To High-Level Cost Estimation, Unclear Payment Terms

A common trap homeowners fall victim to are lump sum estimation of a bundle of things. For example: RM8k for Kitchen Cabinet, Sink, Kitchen Hood and Hop, Lighting, and Electrical works.

There are possibility the contractor requests you to top-up a sum of money due error in cost estimation at a later stage.

You need to ask for accurate measurements, the material used, the quantity, and the brand of appliances if applicable.

A vague payment term also a loophole exploited to make you pay more upfront and excuses to delay works.

What are you looking at is a progressive payment term. More in next.

8. Only make payment as per agreed payment terms

Asking huge upfront payment of 50% or more and citing “to buy material” is a red flag.

It is recommended to have a 30% deposit AFTER the renovation contract is signed.

Samples of Payment Terms in a renovation project.

• 30% Before Start of M&E, 60% Before Other Renovation Works, 10% After Inspection
• 10% Preliminary Work, 30% before start of M&E, 55% before Carpentry Works, 5% After Inspection. 

A progressive payment term lets the homeowner pay as the work progresses. All the terms must be included in the renovation contract that follows up next.

9. Renovation Contract – A Must and Signed Only After Both Party are Satisfy with it

The final most important step to officially appoint a contractor is for you to enter into a written contract.

It should outline all the core parts:

• Scope of Work
• Pricing and contract sum
• Responsibilities, Permissions and Obligations
• Payment Term

A renovation contract can be prepared by either party.  Once the everything is in place, the renovation project can start as planned.

10. Obtain Relevant Permits and Passes From Local Authorities

Most renovation projects require a permit from the local council.

In some condominium or gated communities, there are specific renovation rules regarding what and when renovation works can be done.

11. Do not pay the working deposit to the Management (If Applicable)

In some buildings, management requires a working deposit to be placed before the start of work. This deposit will be refunded after management verifies the place is cleaned properly.

The contractor should pay the deposit, as it is their responsibility to make sure the place is cleaned up when work is done. 

12. Visit the Site Regularly To Check Workmanship Quality

Allocate time to supervise the renovation works. Remember to take photos and videos for record. If you are not able to make it, get help from your family or friends.

Check the material used to if they are as agreed previously or up to standard.

If you spot any defects or issues, please make sure you communicate it with your contractor to rectify them before handover.

That’s why the next is the most important guide.

13. Keep all communication records with a contractor

Do not delete any paperwork, invoices, receipts, chat messages, voice recordings, emails, photos, videos, or any form of trace between you and your contractor.

If something goes wrong, these are crucial evidence to assist you in winning any claims.

14. Do a thorough inspection after completion

Do it like how you do a defect check when you get your new house. 

Make sure you don’t miss out on any corners and items. All power outlets, lights, and electrical appliances need thorough testing.

15. Be A Good Client

Eventually, you want to get your unit according to your renovation contract.

Do remember that contractors are human too. Building a positive relationship would benefit both sides.

Making changes amid renovation is a big no-no because it disrupts the renovation process.

You are aware that delaying payments without a valid reason is no different from a contractor taking your money and disappearing.

Final Words

With these 15 Guides to Hire Reliable Renovation Contractors, you should not be facing these 6 Common Renovation Problems in Malaysia

We wish you a wonderful renovation journey!

If you’re looking for renovation contractors, HeroReno is here to help! Our site quotation is completely free!