Working on a home renovation project in Malaysia is nothing like what you see on your favourite home renovation program. It takes time, effort, and money to renovate a property, and the cost varies.

You'll also be inconvenienced for a few weeks to months if you're renovating your kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms.

This lengthy procedure may lead you to question whether you should refurbish your entire area at once or piece by piece. Renovating the entire house or apartment at once allows you to get it all done at once, but it will undoubtedly take longer.

On the other hand, remodelling a different area every few months or years will make your house feel like a never-ending project. 

What is the most effective method to approach a house renovation project in Malaysia? Is it better to ask your contractor to do a full renovation or a piece-by-piece renovation?

Consider the following factors before making your decision.

1. Budget

Without a doubt, the most important consideration is whether you have the financial resources and a large enough budget (plus a contingency fund) to handle a full renovation or if your cash flow would require you to do a piece-by-piece renovation.

Your budget should serve as the final guidance for your project. If your budget doesn't allow for a large-scale project, talk to your house renovation contractor in Malaysia about the most practical and cost-effective options.

While a full renovation may seem like a good plan on paper, what if you run out of money in the middle of it?

That would be highly inconvenient and perhaps financially catastrophic. Assuming, of course, that you want to sell.

When it goes on the market, an incomplete house would seem like you are desperate and will sell at a discount. The most important piece of advice is to avoid putting yourself in this predicament.

2. The Total Cost

Many experts caution that renovating your house in stages might end up costing more in the long term than completing it all at once because you'll have to employ and re-hire your renovation contractor rather than paying them a single amount for a larger task.

Some individuals, understandably, conduct renovations piece by piece because they can't afford to complete the whole thing at once, but this ends up being more expensive.

Modern Style - PALM HOUSE in Penang

3. Living Arrangements

Are you planning to live on-site throughout your house renovations, or will you be living offsite? If you intend on staying put, keep in mind that living in a renovation zone throughout a full renovation is highly difficult.

Projects always hit stumbling blocks and take much longer than expected. How are you going to handle it? What if you had to live without a kitchen, bathroom, or privacy for a long time? 

Personal and financial sacrifices must be made as part of any renovation endeavour. If possible, it's a good idea to live offsite, but keep in mind that this may come at a higher cost, especially if you're conducting a full renovation.

Renovation by pieces gives you extra space to live while work is going on in the other area of your home.

4. Aesthetic Continuity 

Another factor to consider when deciding between a full renovation and a piecemeal renovation is the visual continuity of your property, both inside and out.

Consider a patchwork quilt: even though the individual parts are beautiful, they will not always complement one other, especially if they are added in different styles over time.

True, a patchwork quilt may be one-of-a-kind and exude personality, but when it comes to a house and the desire to recoup your investment, it's essential to be consistent and harmonious with your material style.

To give your renovation the most aesthetic durability, keep your finishes traditional rather than fashionable and adhere to neutrals.

If the house has a consistent quality of finishes and fittings throughout that are timeless, you'll get a significantly higher resale premium than a house that was renovated piece by piece using different materials at different times.

For example, renovating a bathroom after a few years with the most up-to-date fashionable tiles and fixtures may seem great, but it will make the rest of the house look old and outdated. 

In a Nutshell

Now that you've learned how to approach your house renovation in Malaysia, it's time to get started! Prepare for a seamless and stress-free makeover by doing your homework, saving your Ringgit, and planning.

Remember that the first step to getting it right is to find a professional house renovation or bedroom renovation contractor in Malaysia.