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FAQ

About quotation and project payment
A: After your submission of the “ Free On-Site Quotation” form online, our Renovation Consultant will make a reply call within 24 hours to learn more about your needs and recommend contractors who match your needs. You can also contact us via the mobile app, Facebook, Whatsapp or our hotline.
A: CoDECO adopted a self-service online cost estimation tool which helps clients evaluate their costs initially. However, due to the uniqueness of each renovation project (e.g. the internal partition of the unit, degree of depreciation and the renovation time permitted by the building), the contractor still has to visit the site for a more accurate quotation.

More importantly, the quality of a renovation project is not only reflected by a quotation. The contractor’s attention and attitude matter as much as the price listed on the quotation. If you allow the contractor to measure your place, get to know him/her face-to-face and let him/her explain the quotation in details, you’ll find it easier to be paired with a suitable contractor.
A: To protect the client’s interests, CoDECO has specific requirements for the payment schedule and percentage, and will provide payment management service for all projects. The client shall make the payment to CoDECO in instalments as stated in the quotation.

CoDECO will purchase the labour insurance and the third-party insurance for the project upon the collection of the first instalment, then deduct a small part of the fund as service fee, and transfer the remainder to the contractor. For the remainder, the platform will confirm whether the project has reached the stated progress before transferring the payment to the contractor.
A: The quotation will list the materials included and the materials needed to be purchased by the client respectively. In general, the amount on the quotation will include what people call “essential materials”, namely the cement, sand, stone, pipes, wires, waterproof primer, etc. The “surface materials” such as the floor, tiles, sanitary ware, faucets, hardware and door locks will be purchased by the client and installed by the contractor.
A: CoDECO will review the quotation for the client to ensure the project cost is detailed clearly to reduce the chance of surcharges. Therefore, the final cost of the project matched by our platform would not deviate too much from the budget listed in the quotation in general.
A: You only have to enter the area of the unit in the online cost estimation tool, then select the applicable renovation items to initially evaluate the budget required. The cost estimation is calculated based on the quotation data from past projects, and we will update the data in the system from time to time.
About service process
A: There will be enough time to contact CoDECO one to two months before the commencement of the renovation project. If time is tight, we can also make special arrangements for the case and arrange a contractor for you within one week.
A: The number of working days mainly depends on conditions such as the scale of the project (a full-home or partial renovation), the project content (whether it is necessary to order custom-made furniture), the rules of the building (some do not permit renovation works during the weekend), peak season and off-season, the number of contractors involved and the time requirements of the client. In general, it takes around 70 working days for a 300-500 ft flat to be fully renovated; around 80 working days for a 500-700 ft flat, and around 90 working days for a 700-900 ft flat.
A: CoDECO’s pairing mechanism works on gathering the actual needs of clients, then comparing them with our database in multiple aspects to identify the contractor or designer who best matches the requirements. Factors to consider comprises the district and location of the housing estate which the unit belongs to, the type of works, the scale, the project and the time allowed. Since 2015, CoDECO has worked on more than 15,000 sets of pairing results, during which we continuously improve and evolve our data pairing logic, as well as gathering more information from the contractor. By doing this, we aim to provide more accurate and fair pairing to help clients find the most suitable team.
A: Of course the client can appoint a specific contractor for the renovation. As long as the contractor’s schedule allows, we will try our best to meet your requirements. In terms of design, unless specified in the renovation case that the unit is designed by the contractor, the design of the unit is usually provided by the flat owner, and the contractor executes it. In general, the contractor will provide the client with renovation advice, but will not be responsible for the interior design. If you need to find a specialist to design and renovate for you at the same time, some interior design companies are also available on CoDECO. If you just wish to follow the plan for the design, you can still entrust the same contractor to create a consistent tone; we can also recommend other equally competent contractors to you.
A: The plots are generally divided into three categories: floor plans, construction plans and 3D renderings. CoDECO works with approximately 100 partners, including teams of contractors and interior designers with different expertise. Most of the contractors are able to provide the floor plan to let clients understand the layout of the renovation. Some veteran contractors can even provide the construction plan to show the client the construction details clearly. The 3D renderings can also be provided by contractors and interior designers who partner with CoDECO, but additional charges may incur. Please consult our Renovation Consultant for more details.
A: We will provide support since the client opts for CoDECO, and we will be around after contract signing, during the project, after the client’s acceptance and for any follow-up needs when the client moves in. When the client contacts CoDECO, we will collect information from the client for the pairing of a suitable contractor and arrange an on-site quotation. CoDECO will assist in reviewing and digitising the quotation. Upon signing the contract between the client and the contractor, we will set up a messenger group for communication between the client, the contractor and ourselves and be there to provide support when needed. We will conduct spot checks at the unit to ensure that the construction quality complies with the platform’s standard. In the event of any dispute during the project, CoDECO will assist in the mediation and strive to keep the project progress on track. If the client has any follow-up needs on renovation after moving in, we are also happy to provide timely assistance. For a detailed service flow, please visit https://codeco.hk/en/standard/
To ensure good quality of work, we have our own Quality Control (QC) team to inspect all sites under construction.

For projects over HKD100,000, our Quality Assurance Officer will conduct at least 3 spot checks during the project period. Spot checks will be conducted at three crucial stages: upon the completion of plumbing, plastering and defect rectification works. For projects between HK$30,000 and HKD100,000, our Quality Assurance Officer will conduct at least 1 spot check when the project is close to its completion.

Our on-site quality control sessions comply with Hong Kong Renovation Guidelines (CoDECO webpage edition), and our Quality Assurance Officer will require the contractor to rectify any defects discovered. The client will receive an inspection report 2 working days after each quality control session.
A: If the client has questions about the quality of the construction performed by the contractor, he/she can request the CoDECO quality assurance team to follow up on site during the working hours at his/her additional expense. The additional on-site charge is $1,200.

Points to Note
1) The opening hours of CoDECO is between 10:00am and 6:00pm from Monday to Friday, except public holiday.
2) For each additional on-site service, the CoDECO quality assurance team will provide a copy of the inspection report and on-site photos.
3) If any issue of the quality or the contractor arises after the on-site assessment, the additional on-site service charge will be exempted.
4) The platform renovation guidelines are taken as the standard of construction and acceptance for the evaluation.
5) In the event of any dispute over the standard of construction and acceptance, the decision of CoDECO shall be final and conclusive.
A: The quality assurance team is equipped with extensive experience in the renovation industry, including professional site inspectors and a team of consultants made up of senior engineers and qualified persons registered with the Buildings Department for minor works.