The market of contractors and renovations can be a daunting one, where comparing prices and quality can turn out to be quite complicated. Coupled with inexperience and lack of knowledge, you might find yourself with a contractor from your nightmares with end results like flaky walls and leaky bathrooms.

Among the types of renovations done in most houses, here are the top 3 you need to be aware off.

Your Home Paint
1. What you need to know
a. Priming – A base coat that is applied to walls before the actual painting is done. It acts like an undercoat that seals the surface so the paint adheres to the surface instead of soaking into the wall. Especially needed in; Raw wood (seals in resins), raw drywall (provides a smooth paint surface), patched walls, raw metal, rough surfaces (primer will help smoothen our surfaces), and stained surfaces

b. Ensure your renovator doesn’t skip out the priming process. Different surfaces require different types of primer.

2. Consequences of Poor Workmanship
a. Paint applied to unprimed surfaces tend to peel, crack and chalk

Flooring
1. What you need to know
a. Prime with waterproof primer, allow 2-3 hours to dry

b. After the first coat of membrane is complete and dry, apply a second coat.

c. Allow the membrane to dry for 24 hours before proceeding with tiling.

d. Talk with your renovator about procedures and tests they undertake before flooring your home. Humidity test are especially important to avoid any future damages.

2. Consequences of Poor Workmanship
a. Poor waterproofing can result in tiling failures and leaks. If left untreated, you can expect fungal growth on linings and moisture damage to building elements around your home.

b. Fixing leaky floors is a common thing to Malaysian homes so don’t add your home to the statistics.

Air-Conditioning
1. What you need to know
a. Know the substances like CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) and HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) in air conditioning. These components are considered to be ozone depleting substances (ODS) that contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer.

b. As of 1 June 2015, Malaysia will implement the phasing out of CHC consumption in order to comply with the Montreal Protocol. Likewise, the use of ODS components such as HCFC will also see a complete phase out by 2030. The current R22 which is an ODS gas will be phased out gradually and replace by an environmental friendly R410a gas.

c. While that may not be a problem, the thin copper piping (0.51mm) used for the traditional R22 gas will be.

d. R410a gas has 4 times the pressure of R22 and will require a thicker copper piping (0.61mm - 0.71mm) to withstand the additional pressure. The price difference:
i. 0.51mm = RM10 per feet
ii. 0.61mm = RM14 per feet

2. What are the Consequences?
a. Renovators might be inclined to tell you that use of a thinner copper piping with R410a gas is fine and would not make a difference. This could not be further from the truth as this might cause gas leakages which can pose to be a hazard to your health. This investment will pay off in the long run as R410 gas offers greater efficiency, saving you in energy costs, and is much better for the environment.

b. Without proper vacuuming the system, the moisture contents in the system will damage the compressor and killed the system.

Conclusion
The cost of renovations can vary and the process; a stressful affair. Be sure your pick an honest and experience contractor who is willing to sit down and talk things out with you.


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