LIAP #19: HOUSE RENOVATION

House Renovation: A Personal Project

Renovating a house is one of the most personal and impactful projects anyone can undertake. For many of us, it becomes necessary once we buy our own home. In my case, I was fortunate—the house I purchased had been renovated less than two years before by the previous owner. Still, it wasn’t long before I found myself planning upgrades of my own.

Some of my neighbours are passionate about home design and seem to renovate their homes every five years or so. I admire their enthusiasm, but my situation was different. At the time, most of my funds were tied up in building my business, and to make matters more complex, my office also needed renovation.

Thankfully, house renovation isn’t rocket science—especially if you approach it like a project. I had a distinct advantage: I’m an engineer with over a decade of experience managing multimillion-ringgit projects. Compared to those, a home renovation is a relatively small-scale exercise. But what makes it special is that it happens in your own space, affecting your daily life and routines.

In a personal home renovation, you wear many hats. I was the client, the financier, the project manager, the engineer, and the architect—all rolled into one. But I wasn’t the only “client.” My wife had clear expectations too, particularly when it came to the kitchen and bedroom. Her approval was just as important—if not more so.

For the average homeowner, a home renovation can cost anywhere from RM50,000 to RM100,000. It often involves civil, electrical, and mechanical works. Once my wife and I agreed on the scope of work and a fixed budget, I requested quotations from several contractors. My advice: never go with the cheapest contractor. A low quote might look attractive, but the hidden cost can be chaos in your home. Choose a reliable and proven contractor—one with a track record—and then negotiate terms: the price, project duration, payment schedule, and importantly, the work schedule. Renovation work can be loud and disruptive, so proper planning is essential.

The first step after selecting a contractor was signing a formal work contract. I paid a deposit and arranged weekly payments. Our target was to complete the renovation within a month, but it stretched to six weeks due to procurement delays and worker availability. Delays like these are normal in construction, and I wasn’t surprised.

Lessons Learned from Renovating My Own Home

1. Be clear about your renovation goals

Know exactly what you want to change, upgrade, or improve in your home—whether it’s brand new or decades old.

2. Prepare a detailed cost estimate

Base your estimate on the actual products and materials you want to use. Don’t assume—you need real prices, not rough guesses.

3. Monitor progress and quality weekly

Set expectations early regarding the standard of work, and keep track of progress at least once a week. Don’t be hands-off.

4. Hire experienced contractors and pay on time

A good contractor makes a big difference. Don’t gamble on untested ones. And once work starts, pay them as agreed to keep things moving.

5. Be involved in material selection and procurement

Don’t delegate everything. You’ll be living with the results, so be part of the decisions, especially for finishes and fittings.

In the end, renovating your house is not just about construction—it’s about improving the quality of life for you and your family. It can be messy, noisy, and sometimes stressful, but if done right, it’s incredibly rewarding.