Finishing off the New House

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We should be getting our house at Setia Eco-Park (near Shah Alam) handed over in the next month and we'll need to get all the finishing work done, e.g. kitchen installation, aircons, etc. etc.

We are looking for a project manager / co-ordinator / adviser to work with us on this.  Can anyone recommend someone that they've worked with?

Thanks,
Ray

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Hi Ray,

We  have also purchased at Setia Eco Park (Phase 7B) and are in the same position as you so will be very interested to see the responses.

We were told that only a small number of ex-pats  have bought in this development (up to 10% of properties) so we may bump into you sometime?

Jac

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Hi Jac,

We'll be in Phase 8A.  I got the impression when we bought that SEP wouldn't be very 'expatty', but that's ok.

We're currently living in Dubai and won't be over full time until the house is up and running.  I'll be popping over from time to time once I've found someone to oversee the works, so let's keep in touch.

Ray

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hi,

Welcome to the site Ray.

You're asking a difficult question as IMO site supervisor (Clerk of the Works in the UK) on behalf of a private client is a really dismal job. As an Architect I've been asked to help out several times and have always refused. The job is like being between a rock (the contractor) and a hard place (the client).

It's probably best to :

a). Employ a Malaysian registered architect to draw-up a design to your requirements and then to supervise the quality of the work.

b). Get the developer to do it, and agree with him/her a brief specification outlining the work, the cost, quality, and time.

c). Wait till you get over here and supervise the work yourself even if it means living temporarily in rented accommodation. There's nothing like having the guy who is paying for it all being on site every day.

Of the 3 I'd go for c).

However, several members have already built their own places so there may be someone able to give a reference.

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Thanks for the welcome Scott and for the info - plenty to think about!

Ray

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hi,

In a cackhanded way, there's something to be said for leaving the finished house empty for a while then coming over to have it sorted-out and finished to your requirements.

1). The defects liability period (if any) will be about 6 months (maybe more) so the original builder can come into an empty house and resolve any problems.

2). The new house needs to fully dry-out and so any shrinkage cracks will be apparent and can be dealt with before spending money on improvements.

3). Check out the level of roof insulation provided. In my experience it either isn't there, or it is a layer of low quality reflective foil (a material called Sistalation is good quality). Often this layer is not continuous, or has been broken. If the insulation is not so good then taking off the roof tiles sounds expensive and time-consuming but it's only a 2-day job for 2 workers (RM100 x 2 days x 2 workers) and it well worthwhile. Or plan on laying 50mm fibreglass quilt over the ceiling joists.

The place that I rent doesn't have roof insulation and the first floor is hot even with door and windows open. And it doesn't cool down till late evening. Also the roof tiles aren't nailed down! which provides the monkeys with handy toys.



PS : The new police headquarters down the road from my place had thin reflective sheets over the rafters. It wasn't fixed down any too well so it blew off in the first light bit of wind. It was replaced by the same guys who failed to fix the first stuff, then blew off again so the builders just tiled the roof and solved the problem. Hot cops or just air-con on max.

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Hi Jac,

I don't know if you've found anyone yet, but I'm coming over to KL next week and - through my friends there - have lined up meetings with four companies / individuals who may be able to help.  Obviously I can't recommend anyone yet, but I'll post my observations next week after I've met up with them.

Scott - having said that, is it ok to do that?

Regards,
Ray

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Hi Ray,

No we have not organised anything yet - we are visiting over Christmas/new year and hope to make enquiries then. We think our property will be ready around March and I think it will be a case of returning later to finalise plans.

I hope all goes well. I look forward to reading the updates either via the forum - if permitted - or by email.

safe trip!
jac

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hi,

That's Ok, Ray. Just post your observations and it'll be helpful to all. Look forward to reading them.

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Just be aware that even at a very good standard (of Work), it usually is not good enough when compared to UK/US/Germany standards. There are so many anomalies:-  For example, some chippie (wood) work will be excellent but most edging strips will peel away after 6 months!  The slate (tiles) will be of beautiful quality but the grouting will be loose, flaky and uneven colour where they've been patched.  Our kitchen was beautifully designed (by the architect) using composite worktop costing RM280 per feet, but we found all the cabinet doors were hollow and the mixer taps spins crazily and needs tightening once a fortnight!! One set of built-in wardrobes were beautifully constructed from local wood but had no handles because such thick timber were used at the door edges that locally sourced handles didn't have long enough screws! We had to order them from UK (on eBay!).

When appointing your Contractor try to ascertain if he uses his own "local team" of workmen (normally Chinese).  Indonesian and Burmese labour is much cheaper but there, reflects their standards:(

Thankfully, our Pool was contracted out to a pool specialist. We are delighted with the finished job, bar some dried concrete/grouting that clumped at the based of the Jacuzzi.  Can't ever get 100% mark!

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Hi Ray,

How did your meetings go for finishing the house?

Unfortunately whilst we were in KL over Christmas we made little progress - mainly because we met up with family - so it was more party than planning but we had a great time!

The Malaysian people are so happy and helpful it was a bit of a disappointment returning to the UK and it is so very cold....!

We anticipate handover may be sometime in April so will have to make progress then!
Jac

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We are in the final 4 weeks of our house build and to avoid many of the pitfalls of  'normal Malaysian build quality' we have sourced many items from the UK or Australia. For example:-

* all our kitchen appliances
* all lighting (in Malaysia you cannot get downlights with integral fire hoods)
* heat shields for dishwasher and oven
* Double Glased profiles (from Italy) - we very nearly bought all our DG windows from Australia

* Kitchen cabinet doors & handles
* All door handles and door furniture
* Mains electric cable
* All internal eletric cabling
* Cat6 cable
* HDMI splitter and Extenders (for Astro Byond)

All imported throughout the year as tax free under MM2H.

Those items we have bought in Malaysia have been from know Quality European brands (albeit often manufactured in China).

Even on the little things you must buy specify and buy the highest quality.  For example a 12 inch flexible hose (as used to connect say a tap or a toilet to the mains water) is either 5RM for a Malaysian made hose or 40RM for a fully imported European hose. 

It is so important to specify the quality of items you want and to source them yourself if needs be.  If we knew 18 months ago what we know now, then a load more stuff would have been sourced from abroad!

 Never has it been more true than in Malaysia that 'you get what you pay for'. Cheap is cheap.

Good luck to everyone who decides to build a house from scratch.  Just make sure you do your planning and research and assume nothing re standards/finishings/quality or specifications

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Hi Jac,

KL is a great party place - it takes a great effort of will to focus on the house stuff when I'm there!

We're using a company called Courtyard to manage the project for us, which includes a kitchen remodel (though the installation is being done by Paragon Kitchens), patio extension and covering, plus installations of aircon, solar water heating, ceiling fans and lighting systems.  When they first came to see the house and get the brief, they were very professional and thorough, they followed up with an extensive, itemised quotation and, since being appointed, are liaising with all sub-contractors and Setia on our behalf.  Work is due to start imminently and I'll give you an update when it's finished sometime in March.

A word of advice though - if you are planning to extend your patio and put a roof over it, you will need to get architect drawings made, which have to be submitted to the state for consent.  This takes time (I'm not sure how long as yet), so it would be better to get that done sooner rather than later.

If you want the contact details for Courtyard and/or Paragon, let me know.

Ray

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hi,

Thanks for the updates. I also agree that folks need to be very careful buying cheap products made wherever and expecting anything to last. It's the same on my boat - much of the stuff I've used is imported and I avoid, if possible, made in China.

It's tempting to spend RM30 for something instead of a better quality (often Italian) RM120 item. But, so often, the cheaper product is just too cheap to be of any use.

One problem is that the quality stuff that is made in Malaysia is exported. The low quality stuff is for domestic consumption. And it's akin to rubbish. I've been told many times by Malaysians that Malaysians like to buy cheap. I have no opinion on the truth of this, except to observe that they are certainly being supplied with junk, and often little choice for alternatives.   

I recently returned several sheets of marine plywood to the sawmill as it was unsuitable for any meaningful purpose. The boss of the sawmill apologised (nice guy) and asked if I could wait a couple of weeks for the "quality" marine plywood to arrive. He needed to order it to be sent to the sawmill direct rather than exported. But if I wanted more junk plywood he could have the equivalent of a forest delivered by tomorrow.




PS : I've come across the Malaysian phrase, "cheap, cheap but good" so many times. Anyone else heard this one?

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Hi Guys,

Ray if you could supply the contact details that would be great, thank you.

We are considering putting 'partitioning' in the downstairs area to break up the living space into 2 separate areas. Does anyone know of a company that would undertake that type of work?. We have seen wood partitioning in the show houses which seemed to be pretty good.

The other question concerns appliances - kitchen and a/c. We have looked at Panasonic and LG as both seem quality products at a reasonable price. Does anyone have any concerns about those products?

Thanks for all the input - it really is appreciated.

Jac