How Covid-19 is Affecting Singapore's Home Renovation Market
This health emergency has far-reaching consequences and highlights how connected the world is
Life as we know it had already been in limbo for a couple of months when the World Health Organisation officially termed the coronavirus a ‘pandemic’ on March 11. The way we work, shop, socialise, travel and even exercise has changed dramatically. While many businesses have shuttered due to lockdowns, many more are closing down due to falling demand, sales and investment.
What kind of impact has the pandemic had on Singaporean interior designers and contractors? We spoke to some design and renovation pros on how the virus has affected the business of home interiors.
What kind of impact has the pandemic had on Singaporean interior designers and contractors? We spoke to some design and renovation pros on how the virus has affected the business of home interiors.
Materials and supply chain
Much of carpentry work in Singapore is produced in Johor Bahru, and when the border restrictions were announced, there was much uncertainty about whether goods would be exempted. At the time, Low had a carpentry feature costing close to $8,000 that was midway done in Malaysia. Determined to keep his promise of delivery to his client, Low wrote off the piece and worked on fabricating a new one in Singapore. For this he had to rent a workshop in Singapore. “I was lucky to have found a carpentry workshop here with a very nice boss. I engaged a local carpenter and I’m happy to say that the client received the goods as promised,” he shares.
Much of carpentry work in Singapore is produced in Johor Bahru, and when the border restrictions were announced, there was much uncertainty about whether goods would be exempted. At the time, Low had a carpentry feature costing close to $8,000 that was midway done in Malaysia. Determined to keep his promise of delivery to his client, Low wrote off the piece and worked on fabricating a new one in Singapore. For this he had to rent a workshop in Singapore. “I was lucky to have found a carpentry workshop here with a very nice boss. I engaged a local carpenter and I’m happy to say that the client received the goods as promised,” he shares.
Those who source from further haven’t had too much problems with their supply chain as existing stock can still fill their orders. Tile vendor Rice represents Italian tile manufacturers like Florim, Mutina and Blustyle and has had a hectic time since the end of February, like so many other local businesses. “The global outbreak is evolving rapidly. As far as our material production and freight forwarding are concerned, our principals and vendors have been in touch with us around the clock to give us their updates progressively,” says a spokesperson from Rice. The Italian government ordered all non-essential businesses to shut until April 3. Some like Blustyle are halting production a week longer, until April 10.
Find a renovation professional in Singapore on Houzz, see images of their work and read client reviews
Find a renovation professional in Singapore on Houzz, see images of their work and read client reviews
“Our existing stocks are still able to offer a good selection for our clients. We are blessed to have a group of clients who are supportive and understanding,” says Rice. Social distancing is taken seriously at their showroom in Henderson Road and customers are asked to book an appointment to prevent large crowds.
For interior designers like Selina Tay, principal designer at Collective Designs, a delay in furniture shipment is to be expected, and she is not one to compromise on design. “The Italians have the nicest furniture,” she says. “You can’t stop design because of a delay in goods.” Besides, she adds, local suppliers are happy to loan a set of chairs or a sofa to tide her clients over till their goods arrive.
At the height of China’s lockdown, Low had problems getting quartz from China as his usual vendor was reluctant to sell from the existing stock. As there are many players in the market, he was able to buy from a different vendor. “Clients are understanding in this climate if you communicate with them,” he says.
Adaptability
If there’s any negative impact on the business due to the virus, Calsia Lee who runs kitchen and wardrobe specialist Mudian Crafted is already prepared. “We’ve seen a slowdown from last year due to more competition in the carpentry business,” she explains. “The pie, which is not big, became even smaller when players entered offering rock-bottom prices.”
Her outfit downsized by giving up one showroom space and some factory units. This quick response helped the business, as did being resourceful. The European lockdowns have not affected their supply chain of hardware as Mudian has its own well-stocked warehouse. When they did not have enough of a particular bolt, they found a supplier in Malaysia as the interim measure.
If there’s any negative impact on the business due to the virus, Calsia Lee who runs kitchen and wardrobe specialist Mudian Crafted is already prepared. “We’ve seen a slowdown from last year due to more competition in the carpentry business,” she explains. “The pie, which is not big, became even smaller when players entered offering rock-bottom prices.”
Her outfit downsized by giving up one showroom space and some factory units. This quick response helped the business, as did being resourceful. The European lockdowns have not affected their supply chain of hardware as Mudian has its own well-stocked warehouse. When they did not have enough of a particular bolt, they found a supplier in Malaysia as the interim measure.
Lee is bracing for more fall in demand and has already made plans. “Homeowners can forgo built-in wardrobes and buy readymade but logically, every household cannot do without a kitchen,” she points out. Her company is working on prefabricated modular kitchen units that will benefit from the economies of scale, and she hopes to “pass on the savings to customers”.
For someone who has weathered through the Asian Financial Crisis and Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome), Tay is still soldiering on after 26 years in the business. “As an ‘old’ brand, customers have a lot of trust in us and we have referrals to keep us busy,” she says. “All things considered, people still move homes and renovate.”
Low sees the silver lining and is more appreciative of his team of Malaysian workers. He recently treated them to dinner where he gave a speech thanking them for their dedication. “On any other day, they would be rushing back to Malaysia after 5pm but because of the restrictions, they have to stay on in Singapore. This gives us the chance to makan (eat) together and I must say, the team has become more united,” he says.
Tell us
How has this crisis affected you and your business? Share with us in the Comments below.
More
10 Home Projects to do When You’re Stuck at Home
Low sees the silver lining and is more appreciative of his team of Malaysian workers. He recently treated them to dinner where he gave a speech thanking them for their dedication. “On any other day, they would be rushing back to Malaysia after 5pm but because of the restrictions, they have to stay on in Singapore. This gives us the chance to makan (eat) together and I must say, the team has become more united,” he says.
Tell us
How has this crisis affected you and your business? Share with us in the Comments below.
More
10 Home Projects to do When You’re Stuck at Home
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When Malaysia shut down its borders to outgoing and incoming flow on March 18, Malaysian workers who cross the Causeway each day to come to work or study in Singapore had to scramble to find temporary accommodation with the help of their Singapore employers. Benson Low, owner of Thye Hoe Renovation Work, found himself with a smaller workforce as some chose to return to Malaysia while the ones who chose to stay on, had nowhere to sleep. “It was so last-minute and it wasn’t easy to find them accommodation. Luckily a relative of mine had some rooms to rent out,” he says.