Renovation, a game between budget and desire, often starts with a seemingly perfect quotation, but ends up with unexpected “additional items” notices time and time again.
As a practitioner who has been in the decoration industry for many years, I have seen too many owners go from being full of expectations to being physically and mentally exhausted.
Today, I will break it down and tell you all the “conventional” but not explicitly stated traps in adding items in this industry. I have only one goal: to let everyone use this list to negotiate contracts, visit construction sites, and spend every penny wisely.
Trap 1: The “fuzzy zone” of hydropower transformation
This is the “hardest-hit area” of the addition, and there is no one.
Quotes often only say “water and electricity renovation, settlement based on actual situation.” The unit price seems reasonable, but the total amount is a bottomless pit.
After the construction starts, the foreman will tell you with the drawings: “A socket needs to be added here”, “That line needs to be wrapped around the beam”, “The developer’s original line is not up to standard and it is recommended that the whole house be replaced.”
Each one sounds reasonable, but cumulatively, the cost can easily double.
The solution: Before signing the contract, ask for detailed water and electricity point maps and line diagrams, and agree that the total price will not fluctuate by more than 5%.
Trap 2: “Added layer upon layer” of wall treatment
When quoting, it only says “scrape putty and paint the wall”.
After the old wall skin was removed, the problem came: “The base layer of your wall is hollow and severely cracked, and it needs to be reinforced by hanging nets throughout the house.” “The yin and yang angles are not straight, so they need to be straightened.” “The wall is uneven, and the whole house needs to be reinforced and leveled.” Each layer of treatment is an additional cost.
In many cases, partial netting and leveling are sufficient, and whole-house treatment is excessive construction.
After shoveling the wall, be sure to personally inspect and accept the condition of the base before deciding on a treatment plan.
Trap Three: The “Thickness Game” of Floor Leveling
Floor laying requires a flat ground, and “floor leveling” is included in the quotation.
However, during construction, workers will say that the original ground level difference is too large and the thickness of the leveling layer needs to be increased.
The amount of materials (cement mortar) and labor costs skyrocketed.
In fact, thicknesses exceeding 3 cm require special processes and additional prices.
Use a laser level to measure the height difference of the entire house in advance. The data speaks for itself to avoid being deceived.
Trap 4: “Special craftsmanship fee” for ceramic tile paving
Large bricks, special-shaped bricks, mosaics, herringbone or fishbone paving that require staggered seams… these may be classified as “conventional paving” when quoting.
Once the materials come into the site, the foreman will say: “This kind of brick is difficult to construct, and special craftsmanship fees will be charged.” “This paving method is too labor-intensive, and extra money will be required.” Be sure to confirm the paving plan in advance, and write down in black and white the craftsmanship fees for all non-standard specifications and unconventional paving methods in the supplementary agreement.
Trap 5: “Simplified quotation” for ceiling shapes
For more complicated double-eyelid ceilings, curved ceilings, and suspended ceilings, you may only quote a basic price based on “extended meters” when quoting.
In actual construction, the keel structure, light slot openings, and arc processing all require more materials and man-hours, and these “details” will become additional items.
The designer is required to produce detailed ceiling cross-section drawings and indicate the materials, processes and pricing methods used.
Trap Six: The “Hardware Game” of Cabinets and Wardrobes
Whole-house customization is calculated based on the projected area, and the price seems to be packaged.
But hinges, guide rails, handles, straighteners, light strips, bowl baskets, pants racks…many of these hardware and functional parts are listed as “added items”.
It costs extra to upgrade ordinary hinges to buffer hinges; it costs extra to upgrade ordinary guide rails to support rails.
Before signing a contract, confirm the brand, model, quantity, and whether installation is included in all hardware on the list.
Trap 7: The “area magic” of waterproofing projects
For bathroom waterproofing, the quotation is often calculated based on “room”.
But during the actual construction, you will be told: “The wall waterproofing needs to be painted to a height of 1.8 meters, or even the entire wall.” “A retaining dam should also be built outside the door opening to prevent water seepage.” The area increased instantly.
The national standard is 1.8 meters in the shower area and 30 centimeters in other areas.
Clarify the construction scope and height in advance and supervise on site.
Trap 8: “Segmented charges” for garbage removal
The “garbage removal” fee in the quotation may only include transportation from indoors to the designated storage point in the community.
The long-distance transportation fee from the transfer station to the consumption site outside the city is another amount of money.
Construction waste generated by demolition and waste generated during construction may also be billed separately.
Ask about the definition of “garbage removal”, whether it is a lump sum to the final disposal site, or whether it is billed in installments.
Trap 9: “Floor charges” for material handling
“Material handling charges” sound reasonable, but they may not include “floor charges”.
If your home does not have an elevator, the cost of moving cement, sand, ceramic tiles, and boards upstairs may be calculated separately by floor and by ton.
This amount of money is particularly considerable in the renovation of old communities.
Before signing the contract, confirm whether all materials are transported upstairs and into the home.
Trap 10: “Fuzzy pockets” of management fees and miscellaneous items
The final additions are often hidden under the headings of “completion cleaning,” “finished product protection,” “remote construction fees,” and “project housekeeper fees.”
These costs may be deliberately vague or omitted in the initial quotation and will be raised at settlement.
The decoration company is required to list all possible cost items in the quotation list, indicate “except for the above items, there are no other additional costs”, and stamp the confirmation.
In addition to decoration, seven points are information gaps and three points are psychological warfare.
The owners’ “understanding” and “fear of trouble” have become profit points in the eyes of some unscrupulous businesses.
Remember one principle: any verbal promises are castles in the air, and all agreements must be implemented on paper.
With this “Pitfall Guide”, you are no longer a “novice” at the mercy of others, but a “supervisor” with drawings and contracts in hand.
Your home deserves to be treated more transparently and responsibly.
