Great article in The Star on Chinese building standards in comparison to ours. An interesting read:
It's not easy building homes in China
Homes there are usually made of concrete
Contractors don't use power tools, methods different
Mar. 25, 2006. 01:00 AM
CHERYLL GILLESPIE
In China, the building process verges on insane but the houses ultimately turn out wonderfully. Here in Canada, a new homebuyer might think that the whole building process is a little crazy and that you might never get to move into your new home. But imagine if you had to build houses in China as I did over the last 2 1/2 years.
The contractors don't speak a word of English, can't read English blueprints and don't use power tools. I can't tell you how many times I caught a labourer hammering in a screw.
Chinese homes are usually made of concrete, not wood frame, so stick framing was a whole new concept to most of these folks. If you think that getting a home built in Canada is tough, try it in China.
Things tend to start off easily enough — the sea bed is only about four feet below ground level so getting the foundations right is truly important. Moreover, if the engineers recommend that you install sump pumps and expand the drainage system, you probably should. The developers in my homes chose not to heed this advice and during last summer's typhoons, I found the recently completed basements full of water — the hardwood all had to be torn up and replaced, as did much of the drywall.
Things in China tend to happen by committee so even the smallest detail is fully debated. Perhaps, this is the reason that a one-year project in Shanghai ended up taking 2 1/2 years to complete.
In China, the plumbing and electrical trades are one and the same, as the term ``shuidiangong,'' meaning water/electricity-worker somewhat alarmingly suggests.
Many of our sewer drains were placed too close to the walls and once the wall tile or marble was installed, the toilets did not fit.
Timing isn't everything in China and often, I found a unique twist to the timing of installations. Granite features were installed and on-site stone polishing took place after the "white" carpets were laid (remember I wasn't there all the time — flying in every five weeks to check on the progress, or the non-progress, of the homes).
Cabinetry was completed on top of beautiful lacquer hardwood flooring.
Just when you think that the timing could not get any worse, the workers moved all the furniture in and then decided to re-polish the marble floors. Beautiful hand-carved, custom-made foyer tables became a convenient workbench for a multitude of tradespeople.
Painters prefer not to use drop cloths and hammering, sawing, plastering and painting all take place on top of it. The concept of protecting finished areas does not exist among the labourers.
However, the Chinese have no worries — they simply bring the required trades back to repair the damage.
It's an exhausting and often overwhelming task to try to teach a respect for previously finished surfaces, appliances and furniture to the multitude of workers. Remember that China is blessed with an abundance of labourers.
Chinese workers will spend an unfathomable number of hours redoing previously finished work. But of course, this only happens if the boss insists on it.
Although, at many times, it appeared that this project would never see completion and that these gorgeous villas would never meet my standard of perfection, they ultimately did.
Not counting the numerous "re-dos" and lengthy completion process, the homes are finally completed and all involved should be proud of their workmanship.
So, when you think that the timelines from ground-breaking to finished home are too long (in Canada), consider building in China.
If you are having trouble communicating with your site supervisor or the builder, consider having to communicate in a country where you don't speak the language.
Now, count your blessings and enjoy the process — building a new home is exciting and very fulfilling.
