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 Nightmare with interior designer in Malaysia, Similar post in Serious kopitiam

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TSlightislight
post Jun 5 2025, 09:59 PM, updated 6 months ago

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Just wanted to get more input.

Good evening everyone,

I’d like to share my experience with an interior design project that’s left my family and me incredibly frustrated — and hopefully get some advice.

After completing the basic renovation of our double-storey corner lot (piping, electrical, etc.), we hired a professional interior design firm to handle the furnishing and finishing as the house was essentially a blank canvas. The idea was to have a leader who could oversee the project efficiently.

Unfortunately, we were very wrong.

What was supposed to be a 4-month project has dragged on for 10 months — and it’s still far from done. Worse, their built-in furniture has blocked essential power points, making the installation of large appliances nearly impossible. When we raised this, they demanded extra payment to fix their own mistakes — along with the final payment (around 15%), which I’m currently refusing.

Why? Because the work is not complete, and many of the materials used are substandard — with wooden panels already sagging or warped before use.

Mind you, the costs were not cheap - I'll just say it was around RM150k to RM200k, just for interior design — and this company is supposedly reputable, registered with both MIID (Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers) and CIDB. Sadly, those affiliations seem to mean little in terms of quality or accountability.

Before I hire a new team to take over, does anyone know where or how I can lodge a formal complaint?

At this point, I can't just let these people off for delivering such poor standard of work. I guess it's more a matter of principle.

Thank you.

Oh and if there's an ID that would like to be in consideration to takeover, can introduce yourself in the thread also.
anakkk
post Jun 5 2025, 10:09 PM

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consumer tribunal?

design seed mcm best je
SUSNoComment222
post Jun 5 2025, 10:11 PM

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QUOTE(lightislight @ Jun 5 2025, 09:59 PM)

Mind you, the costs were not cheap - I'll just say it was around RM150k to RM200k, just for interior design — and this company is supposedly reputable, registered with both MIID (Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers) and CIDB. Sadly, those affiliations seem to mean little in terms of quality or accountability.

Before I hire a new team to take over, does anyone know where or how I can lodge a formal complaint?

At this point, I can't just let these people off for delivering such poor standard of work. I guess it's more a matter of principle.
You have the answers already
GOPI56
post Jun 5 2025, 10:13 PM

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QUOTE(lightislight @ Jun 5 2025, 09:59 PM)
Just wanted to get more input.

Good evening everyone,

I’d like to share my experience with an interior design project that’s left my family and me incredibly frustrated — and hopefully get some advice.

After completing the basic renovation of our double-storey corner lot (piping, electrical, etc.), we hired a professional interior design firm to handle the furnishing and finishing as the house was essentially a blank canvas. The idea was to have a leader who could oversee the project efficiently.

Unfortunately, we were very wrong.

What was supposed to be a 4-month project has dragged on for 10 months — and it’s still far from done. Worse, their built-in furniture has blocked essential power points, making the installation of large appliances nearly impossible. When we raised this, they demanded extra payment to fix their own mistakes — along with the final payment (around 15%), which I’m currently refusing.

Why? Because the work is not complete, and many of the materials used are substandard — with wooden panels already sagging or warped before use.

Mind you, the costs were not cheap - I'll just say it was around RM150k to RM200k, just for interior design — and this company is supposedly reputable, registered with both MIID (Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers) and CIDB. Sadly, those affiliations seem to mean little in terms of quality or accountability.

Before I hire a new team to take over, does anyone know where or how I can lodge a formal complaint?

At this point, I can't just let these people off for delivering such poor standard of work. I guess it's more a matter of principle.

Thank you.

Oh and if there's an ID that would like to be in consideration to takeover, can introduce yourself in the thread also.
*
Hint of the company name so we can avoid it.
motherland
post Jun 5 2025, 10:52 PM

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Got construction contract? They got apply EOT?
fourzee
post Jun 5 2025, 10:55 PM

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One question ..have you asked for design changes during construction ? If have, how many times ?
TSlightislight
post Jun 5 2025, 11:01 PM

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QUOTE(motherland @ Jun 5 2025, 10:52 PM)
Got construction contract? They got apply EOT?
*
Construction was already completed before handing over the unit to the ID for interior furnishing.
Mainly cabinets / kitchen / toilets / lounge area / decor / wall panels, things that make a home, a home.

QUOTE(fourzee @ Jun 5 2025, 10:55 PM)
One question ..have you asked for design changes during construction ? If have, how many times ?
*
Nope. No design changes at all. Went through with what was agreed in the moodboard from the get go.
The only changes was request to add a rack (which I bought) onto the wall.
That's all.
To give you an idea of how poor they've done... I've already given the full measurement of the large items in the kitchen (e.g sink).
They still managed to mess up by cutting a wrong sized hole in the quartz top... How that happen...I have no idea.
TSlightislight
post Jun 6 2025, 01:24 PM

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Just an update.

So from what I've found out so far after consultation with various agencies.

I can lodge a complaint with CIDB via e-bantuan / aduan
I can also lodge a complaint with Tribunal Pengguna
Have not managed to get in touch with MIID

Tentatively to consult lawyer and police report soon.

Of course I won't threaten the ID team with these yet, but I'll be collecting and documenting our conversation from now on to facilitate those in the future.
em_on
post Jun 6 2025, 01:34 PM

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Ts, don’t you mind to show some of the pics to have better understanding
Mattressdepot
post Jun 6 2025, 04:30 PM

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how do u get this professional ID contact?
contagiouseddie
post Jun 6 2025, 04:32 PM

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QUOTE(NoComment222 @ Jun 5 2025, 10:11 PM)
You have the answers already
*
BIla ada ini 2 entity, it's sampah usually.
Plenty of good companies out there and they don't have this silly certification from these boards.

This post has been edited by contagiouseddie: Jun 6 2025, 04:34 PM
gabwst17 P
post Jun 6 2025, 05:11 PM

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Mind to share/hint of the company name so the rest of us dont fall victim to them? hahah
TSlightislight
post Jun 7 2025, 12:15 AM

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QUOTE(em_on @ Jun 6 2025, 01:34 PM)
Ts, don’t you mind to show some of the pics to have better understanding
*
Unfortunately at this stage, it will be too revealing if I do so now.
Yes, the "quality" workmanship is that telling.

QUOTE(Mattressdepot @ Jun 6 2025, 04:30 PM)
how do u get this professional ID contact?
*
From a friend of a friend. However I got assigned a different team / ID lead... and ughhh. It was a mistake to trust people too easily

QUOTE(GOPI56 @ Jun 5 2025, 10:13 PM)
Hint of the company name so we can avoid it.
*
QUOTE(gabwst17 @ Jun 6 2025, 05:11 PM)
Mind to share/hint of the company name so the rest of us dont fall victim to them? hahah
*
At this time. I would say the name of the company has a vegetative feel to it.
fourzee
post Jun 10 2025, 04:45 PM

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QUOTE(lightislight @ Jun 7 2025, 12:15 AM)
Unfortunately at this stage, it will be too revealing if I do so now.
Yes, the "quality" workmanship is that telling.
From a friend of a friend. However I got assigned a different team / ID lead... and ughhh. It was a mistake to trust people too easily
At this time. I would say the name of the company has a vegetative feel to it.
*
KangKung Interior Design ?
sijun
post Jun 12 2025, 02:34 PM

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QUOTE(lightislight @ Jun 7 2025, 12:15 AM)
Unfortunately at this stage, it will be too revealing if I do so now.
Yes, the "quality" workmanship is that telling.
From a friend of a friend. However I got assigned a different team / ID lead... and ughhh. It was a mistake to trust people too easily
At this time. I would say the name of the company has a vegetative feel to it.
*
tre*ho*z?
TSlightislight
post Jun 13 2025, 11:26 AM

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QUOTE(fourzee @ Jun 10 2025, 04:45 PM)
KangKung Interior Design ?
*
As funny as it is.
This is a suitable name for them in terms of quality of work (hollow like a kangkung)
and design (all show, no substance)

QUOTE(sijun @ Jun 12 2025, 02:34 PM)
tre*ho*z?
*
Nope brader
End Roll P
post Jun 17 2025, 02:25 AM

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Damn can I know which area is this at? I'm very new to renovation quotations and process and will be needing an ID soon in the next quarter for my new house.
richtrons
post Jun 17 2025, 03:11 PM

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Maybe can hint hint what is the company so I can avoid it haha..I am looking for ID for my house now.
iamloco
post Aug 16 2025, 07:36 AM

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Hi ts.. can pm the name of the company? I really want to avoid for my house reno
brobro
post Aug 20 2025, 08:43 AM

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QUOTE(lightislight @ Jun 5 2025, 09:59 PM)
Just wanted to get more input.

Good evening everyone,

I’d like to share my experience with an interior design project that’s left my family and me incredibly frustrated — and hopefully get some advice.

After completing the basic renovation of our double-storey corner lot (piping, electrical, etc.), we hired a professional interior design firm to handle the furnishing and finishing as the house was essentially a blank canvas. The idea was to have a leader who could oversee the project efficiently.

Unfortunately, we were very wrong.

What was supposed to be a 4-month project has dragged on for 10 months — and it’s still far from done. Worse, their built-in furniture has blocked essential power points, making the installation of large appliances nearly impossible. When we raised this, they demanded extra payment to fix their own mistakes — along with the final payment (around 15%), which I’m currently refusing.

Why? Because the work is not complete, and many of the materials used are substandard — with wooden panels already sagging or warped before use.

Mind you, the costs were not cheap - I'll just say it was around RM150k to RM200k, just for interior design — and this company is supposedly reputable, registered with both MIID (Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers) and CIDB. Sadly, those affiliations seem to mean little in terms of quality or accountability.

Before I hire a new team to take over, does anyone know where or how I can lodge a formal complaint?

At this point, I can't just let these people off for delivering such poor standard of work. I guess it's more a matter of principle.

Thank you.

Oh and if there's an ID that would like to be in consideration to takeover, can introduce yourself in the thread also.
*
Hi TS, do PM me the company name so I can avoid. Looking for ID firm/contractor at the moment.


 

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