Homeowners urged to verify credentials amid rising renovation risks

Malaysian homeowners must rigorously verify contractor credentials, secure statutory approvals, and insist on certified electrical products to protect themselves against mounting risks in the renovation sector, industry leaders warned today.

Convening at the HOMEDEC Industry Dialogue 2.0 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, representatives from four major built-environment associations addressed growing concerns surrounding unregulated operators, substandard imports, and unauthorised structural works.

C.I.S. President and HOMEDEC organiser Dato’ Vincent Lim noted that consumers frequently risk substantial life savings by engaging unregistered providers.

“When homeowners renovate, they are investing their hard-earned money in a place where their families will live,” Lim said. “We are seeing concerns over operators offering renovation services without proper registration, including questions surrounding overseas service providers entering the local market. When something goes wrong, homeowners may be left with unfinished work, financial losses or safety issues.”

Verifying professional credentials and council approvals

Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) President Ar. IDr Dexter Koh cautioned that portfolios do not denote authorization to practise, advising homeowners to consult the Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) register.

“When a registered professional commits misconduct, homeowners have an avenue to lodge a complaint and seek disciplinary action. Where a person is unregistered, the process can be much more difficult,” Koh said. He added that unapproved renovations or missing Certificates of Completion and Compliance (CCC) can severely disrupt future property transactions, bank financing, and insurance claims.

Malaysian Interior Industry Partners Association (MIIP) President Elvin Tay added that contractor grades should be systematically authenticated through the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) portal prior to awarding tenders.

Ensuring contractual clarity and product safety

Addressing common contractual disputes, Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers (MIID) President Adjunct Professor IDr Norshafina Ibrahim announced that MIID is developing a bespoke design-and-build contract tailored for smaller residential renovations using accessible language. She advised consumers to evaluate tenders based on comprehensive project scope and material quality rather than bottom-line prices.

Turning to household safety, Selangor and Wilayah (KL) Electrical Home Appliances Dealers Association (SWEDA) President Yap Ming Sin urged buyers to ensure all domestic fittings carry valid Suruhanjaya Tenaga and SIRIM certifications, noting that online transactions do not exempt items from regulatory compliance.

“Our message is simple: ‘Ada SIRIM, Baru Beli’. We want fair competition, where products sold to Malaysian consumers meet the necessary requirements and are safe to use,” Yap said, warning that uncertified appliances pose severe fire and overheating hazards.

The dialogue concluded that safeguarding consumer rights simultaneously preserves a fair, competitive marketplace for compliant local businesses.

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