Kenneth Yeung turns the screws on Indonesian home renovations and repairs.
Home repairs and renovations in Indonesia are usually cheap and carried out by tukang, which is a catch-all term for construction and maintenance workers. When work is done by those without formal trade qualifications, results can be inconsistent, making competent on-site supervision vital.
The problems involved in hiring a builder are well illustrated in an old joke from the era of former Indonesian president Soeharto. One day, Soeharto decided to renovate the fence around the State Palace in Jakarta. Three contractors were chosen to submit bids: a Madurese, a Javanese, and a Sundanese.
The Madurese contractor surveys the fence carefully and says, “The cost will be Rp10 million. Rp6 million for materials, Rp3 million for labour, and Rp1 million for my profit.” Then the Javanese contractor inspects the fence and says, “My price is Rp20 million. Rp10 million for materials, Rp6 million for labour, and Rp4 million for my profit.”
Next is the Sundanese contractor. He doesn’t even look at the fence but says, “My price is Rp110 million.” Shocked, Soeharto asks, “Why so expensive?” The Sundanese contractor replies, “Rp50 million for you, Rp50 million for me, and Rp10 million for the Madurese guy to build it. And in a couple of years, we’ll rehire him to fix it again.”
There are many variations of this joke, which is more a critique of corruption, rather than a dig at any ethnic groups. The joke also highlights the common perception that Indonesia’s construction sector is prone to markups and shoddy workmanship.
There are far too many reports in Indonesia of fatal fires caused by electrical short circuits or buildings collapsing in earthquakes due to poor construction.
In many countries, electrical, plumbing and building work can only be performed by licensed tradespeople, usually requiring vocational training and an apprenticeship of three to five years. Indonesia does have certification and licensing systems for construction services and specialist trades, but much of the small-scale residential work is done informally, with minimal or no qualifications and oversight.
Low-cost repairs in Indonesia can lead to repeat work. A couple of years ago, a two-prong power outlet in my kitchen started emitting smoke and stopped working. An electrician was found through an online search for local tukang listrik. He arrived promptly, checked the wiring, and replaced the outlet. Total cost: Rp80,000 (US$4.50). Problem solved, until three weeks later when the outlet failed.
On another occasion, my ground-floor ceiling developed a leak from the bathroom above. A repairman was called. He soon sealed a pipe and patched the ceiling for under Rp300,000 (US$17). The fix held for a few months before the leak returned with a vengeance. This time, I sought local recommendations for a more experienced plumber. Two workers came, ripped up the bathroom floor, replaced the pipe, then retiled the bathroom floor, and repaired the ceiling below. The total cost was Rp800,000 (US$45), and the work has held up.
In the United States, the United Kingdom, or Australia, calling an electrician or plumber for minor repairs will set you back anywhere from US$150 to US$1,000 or more, depending on how much work is involved. The adage of “you get what you pay for” rings true. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t skilled tradespeople in Indonesia—some do magnificent work for reasonable prices. Others take the money, purchase the cheapest materials, and delegate the work to underpaid teams.
Project Manager
One of the keys to getting good building, renovation, or repair work is to have a competent and trustworthy project manager or supervisor. This need not necessarily be a qualified professional, but simply someone who can keep an eye on costs and workmanship, and ensure that plans are followed without unnecessary assumptions or shortcuts.
When a friend had his South Jakarta house renovated, the contractor came via word of mouth. “The main issue was not his corner-cutting, which was on a level about par for the course, but his assumptions,” he said regarding the contractor. Every day, there would be some new work that had not been requested, let alone discussed. Whenever questioned, the contractor would simply respond, “Yes, my assumption is ….” Those assumptions ended up doubling the cost of materials procurement.
Other horror stories include electrical wiring with no grounding, dangerously weak cement mixes, and rooftops that gather and absorb rain. Renters and owners also complain about contractors watering down paint so much that it damages the walls, painting over toxic mould, failing to use drop-sheets, installing light switches upside down, and leaving holes around newly installed air conditioners. And, of course, the ultimate nightmare: discovering your new home or office is next door to a couple of construction sites that perform every task with a hammer for a period of two years.
Despite such cautionary tales, excellent tradespeople do exist in Indonesia. The trick is finding them. A reliable tukang is worth more than saving money on a job, but expensive doesn’t always mean better and cheap doesn’t always mean bad. Good work comes down to skill, honesty, and fastidious attention to detail, qualities that are often only discovered after a few painful lessons.
Until the Indonesian government starts strictly enforcing compulsory training and qualifications for construction, electrical, and plumbing work, which may not happen any time soon, make sure you’re paying for competent experience rather than well-practised shortcuts.