First Home

I received my keys for my very own first home few weeks ago but the elation was replaced with dread after seeing the poor workmanship and incomplete works within my unit (not talking about outside yet).

It totally spoiled my mood and I almost threw a fit at the developer's representative. (Thank God, I didn't... totally).

Here is the scenario:

1. Owner
- First time buyer
- Paid using hard earned money
- Can't wait to move in
- Whole long list of defects which is just poor workmanship, cheap material and no supervision, rushed work, incomplete design.
- Already swamped for months by calls and sms's property agents from (developer's staff selling all the information)

2. Developer
- Already collected money from purchaser
- Minimise cost and maximise profit
- Had to issue Vacant Possession because almost expiry of 3 years from signed SPA
- Assume most purchasers are investors who will renovate or sell off quickly
- Based on current situation, the price bought then is consider "cheap" so can give "cheap products"

Why I am dreading even visiting this "home"?
1. Snagging list - I have to check the unit for defects and ensure they have fixed it. Have to carefully prepare the long term documentation to ensure rectification by developer for latent defects in future.
2. 2nd inspection - There was no water supply to test the wares during the 1st inspection. 2nd inspection can only be done on weekdays. So I HAVE to apply leave to check and collect keys the second round.
3. Extra renovation work - They specified timber skirting which was wavy, different thickness, poorly installed, nails protruding, 5-10mm gap from the floor tiles. Meaning, it does not function as a skirting but is an eye sore. A skirting is to prevent dirtying the wall when you mop the floor. In this case, it's to hide all the dust between skirting and tiles. It's perhaps envisioned as hidden behind the furniture...
4. Potential leakage from neighbour above - Yes, overseas bathrooms are designed and used as dry bathroom. But in Malaysia where bidet is a must, all bathrooms & toilets are usually wet. Face the fact and design according the norm. You can't expect the majority to use like the westerners when it is not the culture here. By not allowing a drop level from the toilet to the bedroom, if a leaky tap is left overnight, you will flood the whole unit and drip even down to the units below. Hello?

In short, despite my profession, it is sad to see the whole consultant team and even the superintending officer allowing such a basic thing to happen. Worse of all, it's a reputable developer. The other project before this - had almost zero defects. My friend bought the right project.

It boils down to luck for normal purchasers. You see, for construction, only one things matters: the consultant and construction team.

If you get a good project manager (representative from client) who can direct the whole team and also more conscientious consultants who will take effort to design as if it's their own home, maybe then you might get a more decent home. If these people were willing to take an extra effort to ensure the quality of the workmanship, perhaps then, the general perception of poor workmanship in the construction line can be lessen? If the developer's management really wanted to maintain their reputation despite it being a middle-cost project, perhaps then, I would not be so irritated and disgusted by the construction line?

Lol. Daydreaming..