DecorApproval Hub

Author: Attorney Grant

Consumer Protection

Essential Documents for Home Renovation: The ‘Three Certificates’ for Contractors

We often hear tragic news stories: homeowners pay millions for renovations, only for the contractor to disappear mid-project, leaving behind a mess and an unfinished home. When the distraught owner tries to sue with the contract in hand, they discover the company was just a shell, lacking even proper business registration, let alone professional licenses. With no recourse, they’re left staring at a bare shell of a house, in tears.In contrast, a savvy homeowner, before signing, requested the contractor’s “Interior Renovation Business Registration Certificate” and “Professional Technical Personnel Certificate.” They verified the licenses’ validity online and included the certificate numbers in the contract. During construction, despite minor disagreements, the contractor, bound by guild regulations and legal frameworks, completed the work…

Building Materials / Fire Safety / Sustainability

Green Building Materials Explained: Understanding Fire Ratings and Sustainable Construction

Imagine stepping into a newly constructed building, only to be greeted not by the fresh scent of a new home, but by pungent chemical odors. Beneath their aesthetic appeal, the walls, ceilings, and floors might be slowly releasing harmful substances like formaldehyde and TVOCs, becoming silent health hazards. Even more alarming is the risk during a fire: the burning rate and toxic smoke produced by these materials can directly threaten lives and property. These have been persistent pain points in the traditional construction industry for decades.However, a new wave is sweeping the globe. From LEED-certified towers in New York to smart green buildings in Taipei, architects, developers, and consumers are embracing a new choice: green building materials. These materials are…

Home Renovations / Safety Compliance

Final Inspection for Home Renovations: Your Guide to the Certificate of Occupancy

As a renovation project nears its end, the air is often filled with the scent of fresh paint and the excitement of moving in. Seeing your dream home, once confined to design blueprints, finally take physical form—sofas in place, lights aglow—many homeowners believe that ‘completion’ simply means settling the final payment with the contractor and popping champagne. In their minds, if they’re happy with the result, the renovation marathon has reached its finish line. The thin document, the ‘Certificate of Occupancy,’ is often overlooked, dismissed as a mere administrative formality.However, the real challenges often begin after moving in. For commercial spaces, operating without this certificate means delays in obtaining business permits, pushing back grand openings indefinitely. For residential properties, a…

Construction Management

Home Renovation Permits: Navigating Approval & Construction Timelines

Imagine this: your renovation blueprints are submitted, your construction crew is asking daily, ‘When can we start?’, and your lease is about to expire. Yet, the architect on the other end of the phone can’t give you a firm start date. You pace your empty new home, worried that every delayed day is burning through your budget, or worse, that your plans will be rejected, forcing you to start all over. This fear of ‘waiting for the unknown’ is a nightmare for many homeowners during the renovation approval phase.However, for homeowners who understand the rules of the game, this waiting period becomes a relaxed ‘preparation phase.’ They precisely leverage the time difference between ‘simplified interior renovation’ and ‘two-stage review,’ receiving…

Building Regulations

Simplified Interior Renovation: Understanding the Rules for Buildings Under 6 Stories

Mr. Chen, a resident of a 5-story apartment building, breathed a sigh of relief after reading the previous article. He thought, “Great, my home is an H-2 type residence and it’s on the 5th floor, so it’s not a building ‘for public use.’ Now I can finally change the layout as I please!” He immediately contacted his contractor, ready to convert one of the three bedrooms into a master bathroom and enclose the balcony to enlarge the living room.However, the contractor looked troubled and stopped him: “Mr. Chen, that’s not possible! Even though your home is on the 5th floor, you want to ‘add a bathroom’ and ‘enclose the balcony.’ These still require an application!” Mr. Chen was completely confused:…

DIY Home Improvement / Permits & Regulations

Interior Renovation Permit SOP: A Visual Guide to the Complete Process

Many homeowners mistakenly believe that obtaining an interior renovation permit is as simple as having a designer draw up plans, submitting them, and waiting a few days to start construction. They envision it as a mere formality, only to find themselves lost in a bureaucratic maze of administrative hurdles, complex regulations, and multi-departmental reviews.Experienced homeowners, however, view this process as their project’s blueprint. Before any work begins, they establish a clear timeline with their architect or interior design firm, understanding precisely what documents are needed at each stage and how much time to allocate for approvals. They prioritize legality and thoroughness over speed. While their neighbors might face rejections due to incomplete paperwork or get stuck on fire safety codes,…