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Build first to ensure quality
NST: Editorial Voice 10/11/1999
Shoddy workmanship, poor finishing and
structural defects are some of the headaches many hapless house buyers
have had to endure over the years. The shortcomings in the quality of the
newly-built houses were a phenomenon that first appeared, widely, in the
late 1970s and early 1980s when developers went on a construction binge.
The demand was there and the builders,
some with only an eye focused on sales, not pride in their work, hastily
provided the supply.
Owners, after moving in, had the
thankless task of chasing down developers to undertake remedial work. The
lament then was: They don't build houses like they used to.
The same litany continues to be voiced
these days, especially by buyers of low-cost houses. The problems, though
not as widespread as in the past, are still manifest today. Otherwise the
Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Dr Ting Chew Peh pronounced
that all housing projects, especially low-cost dwellings, will be strictly
monitored hereafter to ensure that they are built to professional
standards. Ting is reported to have said that his Ministry will direct all
State Governments and local authorities to ensure housing projects are
undertaken to meet the standards spelled out by the guidelines stipulated
in the Country and Town Planning Act and Minimum Building Requirements of
the Uniform by-laws.
Ministerial pronouncements are fine. But
the crux of the issue is whether this sermon from the pulpit would be
effectively carried out. Ting appears to look at the big picture of
building houses. And so he says that his Ministry would ask the Housing
Developers' Association to co-operate to ensure all housing projects are
monitored to prevent shoddy workmanship and structural defects. Engineers
and architects of each project will be asked to monitor work to ensure the
built-up houses are of good quality.
It appears that the Minister seems to be
unaware of three salient facts that place possible limitations on the
quality of finished housing. One, the professionalism of craftsmen and
artisans that contractors can call upon. The skilled among these workers
command premium wages. The question is whether many of them are still
around in construction sites. Filling their jobs are huge numbers of
foreign workers, most illegal and whose construction skills are best
questionable.
Two, asking consultant engineers and
architects engaged by property development managements to monitor building
standards is tantamount to fitting the boot on the wrong foot. Despite the
ethics of their professions they are, ultimately, beholden to their
paymasters. not the house-buyers.
Three, the final arbitrators of the
quality of the completed housing are the engineers and architects employed
by the local authorities. They attest the stamp of approval whether houses
are fit to be occupied. But the question is whether these professionals
can possibly or do inspect every unit of every project under their
jurisdiction.
Clearly then, the only solution that
might possibly ensure solid houses, free of defects of any kind, is to
have developers build first then and then sell houses. True, the concept
might entail more in costs and higher prices. But buyers would pay for
quality housing. |
