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Leak-proofing budget for demolition, plumbing, masonry, furniture, and miscellaneous items.
簽約前必讀防中伏寶典！
拆解「連工包料」暗藏陷阱、度尺隱藏收費與追加項目防坑術。
▲ TL Home 3D Interior Design Concept Image:
Design is about warmth; living is about attitude.
30-second summary of key points
The most common disputes in Hong Kong renovation: attracting customers with super low "shocking prices" in the early stages, only to have tens of thousands of dollars in miscellaneous fees added under various pretexts after the house is demolished during construction!
The five major leak prevention items are hardest hit: bridge tolls for demolition, removal, and transportation, switch position calculation method (single switch/double switch/outlet), number of dustproof and moisture-proof primers, mud and water work and material packages, and fees for adding hardware partitions in cabinets after furniture.
TL Home adheres to the principle of transparent pricing: providing itemized unit prices, material brand specifications, payment milestones for project progress, and free maintenance upon completion, promising no malicious hidden additional charges.
Core Decisions and Anti-Ambush Checklist
Quotation Items
High-quality and clear writing
Hidden traps and ambiguous writing
Key principles for acceptance and payment
Demolition Project
The contract includes dismantling to the bottom of the structure, protective works, removal of waste to the designated landfill, and bridge toll.
Complete demolition of the entire house (one-time payment); garbage removal and elevator fees will be charged after work begins.
On the day of demolition, check on-site to ensure everything is clean and that there are no additional waste charges.
Hydropower Project
Actual sales figures are calculated per switch, featuring British brand switches and brand new copper hoses with 24-hour pressure maintenance.
Water and electricity level fixed price, undefined what is called "one control"
After the trench was dug but before the throat was installed, the positions were checked one by one with chalk on site before the throat was sealed.
Masonry Engineering
Includes three coats of waterproof sealant from major Japanese/German manufacturers, leveling material, and water testing.
The package included tiling the entire house, but didn't mention leveling or waterproofing testing.
Bricklaying is only permitted after 48 hours of water storage in the pit without any leaks.
Carpentry and custom furniture
Priced per square foot, specifying E0 eco-friendly plywood, imported silent hydraulic door hinges, and including edge trim.
The furniture package did not specify the grade of the wood panels or the brand of the door hinges.
Before installation, random checks were conducted on the moisture-proof core and formaldehyde labels on the cut surfaces of the boards.
Payment period
Payment will be made in 4-5 installments depending on the progress of the work process.
(e.g., 30%-30%-35%-5% of the balance), payment will be made upon acceptance.
They demand 50-70% down payment before work begins, and force the remaining balance to be paid before completion.
Adhere to the bottom line of "acceptance and acceptance first, payment for the current period only".
Follow along step by step: Standard operating procedure
01
Please provide a breakdown of items, not a flat total price.
The quotation should include the project location, process description, unit quantity (square feet/unit/set), and itemized unit price.
小貼士：避免日後工程增減項目時無據可依。
02
Clarify how "one electric switch position" is calculated
Can you confirm whether a single-pole outlet is counted as two-pole? What about fiber optic cables, independent air conditioner switches, and LED lights with power switches?
Tip: The location of the electric switch is a detail that is most likely to cause disputes worth thousands of dollars in the later stages of renovation.
03
It is clearly stipulated that the materials shall be purchased and supplied by one party.
Clearly indicate that the remaining items belong to "basic materials" (cement, sand, and water pipes are provided by the company), and the remaining items belong to "fabric" (facing tiles and sanitary ware are purchased by the owner).
Tip: Ask the tailor for size specifications, quantity, and wastage rate in advance when purchasing fabrics yourself.
04
The contract clearly states the completion date and warranty period in black and white.
Specify the expected start date, completion date, and the structural and manual maintenance period after completion.
Tip: TL Home offers a legitimate contract and structural maintenance commitment.
TL Home Space Magic Perspective
How can designers simplify complex designs?
The budget is allocated in a 2:3:3:2 gold ratio.
The breakdown of the project is as follows: demolition of plumbing and electrical work and foundation work accounts for 20%, custom-made furniture accounts for 30%, main building materials and appliances account for 30%, and soft furnishings, lighting, and emergency reserves account for 20%, to avoid a top-heavy approach.
Prefabrication saves on-site carpentry time.
The cabinets are assembled on-site using modern CNC prefabrication in the factory, which is more time-saving, more accurate in size, and allows formaldehyde to dissipate faster than on-site carpentry by hand.
This FAQ is a quick and easy guide.
Q: How much should be prepared as an "emergency reserve fund" for whole-house renovation?
A: I recommend setting aside 10% of the total budget as a contingency fund. This is especially important for renovations of houses over 20 years old, as demolition may reveal hidden rust in the steel reinforcement or aging pipes requiring additional repairs. Having this contingency fund will allow the project to proceed smoothly.
Q: Can you explain the difference in quotations between the two companies by tens of thousands? Which one should I choose to equalize?
A: There's a saying in the renovation industry: "Buy cheap, use expensive." Super cheap quotes often hide numerous omissions, such as underreporting the number of electrical outlets, using inferior, no-name brand waterproofing materials, or omitting garbage disposal fees. You should carefully compare the details of each step of the renovation process, not just look at the total price.
Q: Do custom-made furniture usually include seams?
A: A professional renovation quote must include "sealing and finishing" and "matching edge trim." If these are not included, unsightly gaps will remain between the cabinets and the ceiling or uneven walls, potentially accumulating dust and insects later.
The above information is for reference only, and our company assumes no legal responsibility whatsoever.
Related Lazy Person's Guide
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New Public Housing Occupancy Renovation Guide: A 7-Step Checklist from Application and Measurement to Start of Work
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Home Ownership Scheme/Green Form Subsidized Housing Handover Inspection Checklist: 8 Key Locations to Check 48 Hours Before Move-in
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After receiving the notice to select/take possession of the property: Use an evaluation form to make a decision based on "location, floor, orientation, layout, and family needs".