reno karens!! 🙄🙄🙄
hi zesties!!
this is a rant post, so if this kind of content isn’t your thing, feel free to scroll away 😂
being in the renovation line for so many years, i’ve met all kinds of people. honestly, as time passes, the situations just get more and more ridiculous and i genuinely dk why LOL.
there are so many posts online about bad IDs/firms/reno horror stories — and yes, i agree there are definitely bad experiences out there. BUT nobody ever talks about the “bad” client experiences, unreasonable expectations, or just straight up weird requests from clients 💀
so today, i’m here to rant abit because why not?
you’re taking paycheck, i’m taking paycheck also. why must i absorb your attitude and emotional damage like i owe you something
so here are the 5 renovation karens:
(please… if you’re reading this, don’t become one)
1. the “justify every cent to me” client
don’t get me wrong — clients absolutely have the right to know what they’re paying for and what they’re getting.
BUT there’s this type of client that expects you to break down EVERY SINGLE THING:
material cost, labour cost, hourly cost, procedure cost, how many workers, what each worker doing, why this process need this amount etc.
it’s like going to a chicken rice stall and asking:
“how much is the chicken?”
“how much is the cucumber?”
“how much to chop the chicken?”
“how much electricity used?”
then after that calculate whether “worth it” anot
2. the “if overcharge must refund, if undercharge close one eye” client
before people come at me — YES, it’s completely right to check measurements and make sure IDs/contractors don’t overcharge.
if there’s an actual mistake, of course refund or adjustment should be made.
BUT some clients will literally calculate things down to 0.1mm or 0.2mm differences 😭
example:
1ft = 300mm.
$100 per ft.
then 0.2mm difference means what?
refund $0.66 ah?
and funny thing is, these are usually the SAME clients that will say:
“eh never mind la, longer abit only, close one eye don’t charge can already.”
????
so if shorter by 0.2mm i must refund,
but if longer i cannot charge?
math only works one direction isit???
3. the “you must service me 24/7” client
this one really damn draining.
i’ve received calls at 1am–2am before.
spam messages also.
no apology, no emergency — just random renovation questions
then people will say:
“just don’t reply lor.”
ok, tried already.
then afterwards they complain:
“service bad”
“response slow”
🙂🙂🙂
bro i wake up at 8am replying messages already considered slow ah?
you are human.
i am human also leh.
if your boss suddenly calls you at 2am to confirm work stuff every night, you happy anot?
basic respect and boundaries please!!
4. the “mr know it all” client
every industry has this kind of person.
they ask you for advice, then when you give professional advice, they’ll go:
“no need la”
“last time i do before”
“i saw online”
“my friend say can”
“just ask carpenter do can already”
🙄🙄🙄
for example:
you explain properly that certain things should be done by plaster ceiling specialists or proper contractors.
then they insist:
“no need one, cheaper way can already.”
ok lor.
but the problem is:
when issues happen afterwards, suddenly become:
“why you never advise me properly?”
HELLO???
I DID 😭
if you know better than everyone, then honestly ownself do better leh 💀
5. the downstairs neighbour karen
ok this one not client, but i NEED to include this 😭
yes, renovation is noisy.
yes, it’s disruptive.
yes, it’s annoying.
but honestly, if you have issues with a reno happening above your unit, just call nicely and communicate properly.
most of us will genuinely try our best to help arrange timings or reduce disturbance where possible.
but some people immediately start the conversation with:
“EH YOU KNOW I WFH?”
“I GOT BABY AT HOME.”
“YOU AFFECTING MY MENTAL HEALTH.”
“YOU WANT I CALL HDB?”
“YOU ALL NO BRAIN AH?”
😭😭😭
hello???
i informed you 2 weeks before renovation started so preparations could be made already.
homeowners who call nicely to coordinate meetings, baby nap times, important calls etc — honestly most IDs/contractors will try their best to help one.
but if you call screaming like i owe you 100k, don’t even give me the chance to speak, then how to communicate?
sometimes i answer nicely and say:
“ok let me check first and get back to you.”
then they continue shouting/scolding/threatening non-stop 💀 i got even experienced one that tell me “don’t come tell me it’s HDB rules & regulations, i don’t care. I am the rule you must listen to me!” 💀💀
give me some time to check leh.
i not standing at the site 24/7 also.
i managing multiple projects, not ninja 🥷🏻
just for laughs:
incident 1:
i’ve had downstairs homeowners threaten to sue our company because hacking works affected their WFH and they wanted to claim “loss of income” (can i claim u also then?)
incident 2:
one downstairs homeowner literally took a megaphone, walked into the reno site, and started screaming at my workers 💀
and honestly, this one i really need say:
workers are humans also leh.
they’re earning a living too.
basic respect can anot, even if they’re foreign workers.
anyway, there’s honestly SO MUCH MORE i can say, but overall my point is:
everyone is just doing their job.
we’re taking normal paychecks too.
please treat us like human beings also
mutual respect goes both ways.
Having spent years in renovation work, I’ve come to realize that understanding client behavior is just as important as mastering technical skills. In my experience, dealing with challenging clients—often dubbed “reno Karens”—can be mentally exhausting but also an eye-opener. For example, the “justify every cent” clients may seem overly meticulous, but this often stems from their anxiety about spending hard-earned money. I found that maintaining transparency while setting clear boundaries early on helps balance their concerns without draining my energy. Another common headache is the “24/7 availability” expectation. It’s important to establish professional communication hours from the start to prevent burnout. Once a client tried calling me repeatedly at 2 a.m. with trivial questions. I politely reminded them of my working hours, and surprisingly, they appreciated the clarity and respected it thereafter. In situations with the “Mr. Know It All” clients, patience is essential. They might reject professional advice because they trust hearsay or past experience. Sharing case studies or previous outcomes sometimes persuades them to reconsider. However, if they insist, it’s important to document advice given to avoid blame if problems arise. The “downstairs neighbour Karen” scenario is a unique challenge. Renovation inevitably causes noise and disruption. When neighbours communicate calmly and collaborate on scheduling, tensions reduce significantly. In one instance, coordinating with a neighbour’s nap schedule minimized complaints and created a better working atmosphere for everyone. Ultimately, working in renovations taught me this: every party—clients, contractors, neighbours—has valid concerns and deserves respect. Clear communication, empathy, and setting realistic expectations upfront are key. It also reminds me that renovation is not just about transforming spaces, but navigating human interactions with understanding and professionalism.
Facts, IDs are people too! I can’t speak for the bad apples and black sheeps out there but those who are genuinely passionate and professional deserve equal respect and recognition for building your dream home. If you’re nice to them, they’ll prioritise your requests and might even give you some things FOC in return also 😋