JOHOR BARU: Home renovation companies recorded income losses throughout the movement control order (MCO) starting from March 18, following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Homelux Interior Furnishing Sdn Bhd proprietor Law Lee Kiau said business was slow and this was a new experience for the company which started 25 years ago.
She said many potential clients had shelved or cancelled their interior design and build projects.
“Several orders were cancelled as clients had put on hold their earlier plans to renovate business or residential properties due to economic uncertainties
“Right now, we are focusing on completing some projects which were interrupted due to the no-work order under the MCO,’’ she said, adding that work progress on these was hindered by the new standard operating procedures (SOP) such as getting construction workers to undergo Covid-19 swab test.
“We anticipate the next six months or one year to be a tough period for most businesses,’’ said Law.
Sheng Creative Furniture Sdn Bhd and Sheng Renovation Works Sdn Bhd proprietor Sia Sh’eng Hong, 32, said the sector has yet to recover, even now during the recovery phase.
He said some clients who had paid deposits for their home renovation projects before the MCO had asked for their money back and cancelled agreements.
“This is a big problem for us as we have used the money to buy building materials for the projects,’’ said Sia.
He said some who had agreed to proceed with renovation projects signed pre-MCO were asking for discounts citing financial constraints.
Sia said the family business which has been around for 36 years only employed locals to undertake home renovation projects and make furniture.
He said it would be a tough time ahead for home renovation companies as people would be cautious with their spending.
Ezzan Enterprise proprietor Norizan Nasiman, 39, said home owners were becoming more price sensitive now and would consider hiring contractors who gave discounts.
“It will be hard for most of us as we have to work with limited budgets during this trying times,’’ he said.
Norizan said building material prices had increased since construction activities were allowed to resume again under the conditional MCO.
He said suppliers of building materials cited they did not generate any income during the MCO as they were temporarily closed.
The construction-related activities were categorised as non-essential services.
Homelux Interior Furnishing Sdn Bhd proprietor Law Lee Kiau said business was slow and this was a new experience for the company which started 25 years ago.
She said many potential clients had shelved or cancelled their interior design and build projects.
“Several orders were cancelled as clients had put on hold their earlier plans to renovate business or residential properties due to economic uncertainties
“Right now, we are focusing on completing some projects which were interrupted due to the no-work order under the MCO,’’ she said, adding that work progress on these was hindered by the new standard operating procedures (SOP) such as getting construction workers to undergo Covid-19 swab test.
“We anticipate the next six months or one year to be a tough period for most businesses,’’ said Law.
Sheng Creative Furniture Sdn Bhd and Sheng Renovation Works Sdn Bhd proprietor Sia Sh’eng Hong, 32, said the sector has yet to recover, even now during the recovery phase.
He said some clients who had paid deposits for their home renovation projects before the MCO had asked for their money back and cancelled agreements.
“This is a big problem for us as we have used the money to buy building materials for the projects,’’ said Sia.
He said some who had agreed to proceed with renovation projects signed pre-MCO were asking for discounts citing financial constraints.
Sia said the family business which has been around for 36 years only employed locals to undertake home renovation projects and make furniture.
He said it would be a tough time ahead for home renovation companies as people would be cautious with their spending.
Ezzan Enterprise proprietor Norizan Nasiman, 39, said home owners were becoming more price sensitive now and would consider hiring contractors who gave discounts.
“It will be hard for most of us as we have to work with limited budgets during this trying times,’’ he said.
Norizan said building material prices had increased since construction activities were allowed to resume again under the conditional MCO.
He said suppliers of building materials cited they did not generate any income during the MCO as they were temporarily closed.
The construction-related activities were categorised as non-essential services.
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