The cost of renovating a flat has risen by 30 per cent in a year as a result of the appreciation of the yuan and pay rises for workers.
'The daily salary paid to workers increased from HK$700 last year to up to HK$900 this year, and the prices of materials from the mainland have risen by between 20 and 30 per cent,' said interior designer Kelvin Chan Lai-sin.
'Prices of electricity wires and switches from the United Kingdom and Australia have also increased by 30 to 50 per cent in nine months,' he added.
The sharp increases had made some customers abandon their renovation plans, Chan said - but he has a few tips for flat owners to help them save on some of the costs.
First, let a reputable design company buy the materials for you, he says. Many flat owners like to buy materials such as tiles and doors on their own, but they might be better off if they hired a reliable design company to offer a full-services design, which means buying the materials and carrying out the renovation work.
'Some designer firms have connections with suppliers of construction materials. They can get a discount from the suppliers and that will help flat owners save money and time,' he said.