Contemplating refurbishing your home ahead of the Chinese New Year?
Hold your breath. For home renovation can be as exciting a process as it can be frustrating, too.
For the past 4 years, the Consumer Council has received a yearly average of some 1,500 complaints relating to renovation and furniture - 1,439 cases in 2006, 1,563 in 2007, 1,673 in 2008 and 1,273 in 2009.
The great majority of the complaints concerned (a) quality of goods, (b) quality of service, and (c) late or non-delivery of the goods or services.
There is no simple advice for consumers to forestall the need for complaints. But a few sensible steps taken before, during, and after the renovation work can go a long way to ensure satisfaction.
In this January issue of CHOICE is listed a step-by-step guidance for the consumers contemplating home renovation.
In particular, consumers are urged to choose and make good use of materials and products which are low in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) content.
Not infrequently newly renovated premises are found with irritating smell. This is due to building materials such as adhesives, paints or sealants emitting low-level toxic fumes that can cause breathing irritation and headache.
The Air Pollution Control (Volatile Organic Compounds) Regulation sets limits on VOC content to reduce the total emission of VOCs from these products. Indeed, in the market, many companies now offer low VOC products in compliance with the regulation.
Consumers should therefore select low VOC products in the interest of their own health and the health of occupants of the premises.
In addition, consumers are advised to take heed of some other means to help VOC reduction:
- Choose VOC-free designs, such as carpet tiles which do not require adhesives, and use nail strips instead of gluing carpet or adopt other non-adhesive mechanical fastening systems.
- Use prefabricated solid wood for making cabinets and counters so that no adhesives or sealants are needed on site.
- Estimate the amount of materials and products needed prior to purchase to prevent unnecessary wastage; and follow the instructions to avoid excessive usage.
- Keep good ventilation during and after renovation.
- Store or dispose of unused paints or building materials in a proper way.
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