Homeowners Accuse Contractor After Paying 1.7M NTD for Bare House; Consumer Protection Officer Urges Staged Payments
A couple in New Taipei City paid 1.7 million NTD for a home renovation, only to face severe delays and a bare house. A consumer protection officer stepped in, urging the public to only pay as work progresses.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 14:50
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 15:01 (11 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 16:05 (1h 3m after Collected)
Central News (CNA reporter Tsao Ya-yen, New Taipei, 23rd) A couple in New Taipei City accused a contractor of constantly delaying construction after they spent 1.7 million NTD to renovate their new home, leaving the house bare without appliances or air conditioning when they moved in. Consumer protection officers will assist both parties in negotiations and urge consumers to pay for interior renovations only as the work progresses.
New Taipei City Councilor Chang Wei-chien accompanied the Wu couple today to present their accusations. Mr. Wu said they started construction last July after signing a quote with an interior design company and requested the project be completed in November. During this period, the design company provided exquisite 3D simulation images and claimed that custom-made furniture required payment before ordering. They remitted payments successively and paid the full total of 1.7 million NTD in September of last year.
Mr. Wu said that at the end of September last year, they discovered the project was severely behind schedule, and there was often no one working on site. Despite repeated inquiries, the contractor did not give clear replies and refused requests to provide ordering proofs. In January this year, because they could no longer extend the lease on their rented apartment, they moved in in February to find the house almost completely bare. The woodwork and painting were rough, tiles were broken, there was no furniture or air conditioning, the closet had no doors, and wires were even connected haphazardly, raising safety concerns.
Mr. Wu stated that after searching online, he found many victims with similar experiences, and even found in the court judgment system that the contractor had issues with unpaid debts. Furthermore, the contractor emphasized at the time that the furniture was all custom-made and imported, but later they suspected it was almost all goods from Taobao.
His wife tearfully complained that because there is no table at home now, their daughter has to do her homework on a cardboard box every day, and seeing this scene is heartbreaking. They aren't asking for much, only hoping to get back the money for the unexecuted items and have the money returned.
The media called the contractor on the spot. The contractor protested his innocence, stating that custom furniture takes time. When the homeowner demanded to move in first, he had told them in advance that custom items would not be installed in time. Now that the items are ordered, the homeowner demands a refund. "Custom-made items are not like buying a drink; you can't just return them after buying."
As for whether the furniture is from Taobao, the contractor said that for imported items, you can almost always find them on Taobao. He considered the homeowner's statements biased and said it had caused damage to his reputation, adding that follow-up matters will be handled judicially.
New Taipei City Government Consumer Protection Officer Chung Chia-ju also visited the scene today out of concern. He stated that the interior design company is still legally registered and has sent a legal attest letter to the homeowner. The city government will do its best to help convene a coordination meeting for the homeowner to negotiate with the contractor on whether to terminate the contract and refund or continue fulfilling the contract for subsequent work.
The consumer protection officer also appealed that when signing an interior renovation contract or quote, some contractors might use rhetoric to ask consumers to pay in advance, but remember not to give out money too quickly. Be sure to "pay only as the work progresses" to reduce risks. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150423
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New Taipei City Councilor Chang Wei-chien accompanied the Wu couple today to present their accusations. Mr. Wu said they started construction last July after signing a quote with an interior design company and requested the project be completed in November. During this period, the design company provided exquisite 3D simulation images and claimed that custom-made furniture required payment before ordering. They remitted payments successively and paid the full total of 1.7 million NTD in September of last year.
Mr. Wu said that at the end of September last year, they discovered the project was severely behind schedule, and there was often no one working on site. Despite repeated inquiries, the contractor did not give clear replies and refused requests to provide ordering proofs. In January this year, because they could no longer extend the lease on their rented apartment, they moved in in February to find the house almost completely bare. The woodwork and painting were rough, tiles were broken, there was no furniture or air conditioning, the closet had no doors, and wires were even connected haphazardly, raising safety concerns.
Mr. Wu stated that after searching online, he found many victims with similar experiences, and even found in the court judgment system that the contractor had issues with unpaid debts. Furthermore, the contractor emphasized at the time that the furniture was all custom-made and imported, but later they suspected it was almost all goods from Taobao.
His wife tearfully complained that because there is no table at home now, their daughter has to do her homework on a cardboard box every day, and seeing this scene is heartbreaking. They aren't asking for much, only hoping to get back the money for the unexecuted items and have the money returned.
The media called the contractor on the spot. The contractor protested his innocence, stating that custom furniture takes time. When the homeowner demanded to move in first, he had told them in advance that custom items would not be installed in time. Now that the items are ordered, the homeowner demands a refund. "Custom-made items are not like buying a drink; you can't just return them after buying."
As for whether the furniture is from Taobao, the contractor said that for imported items, you can almost always find them on Taobao. He considered the homeowner's statements biased and said it had caused damage to his reputation, adding that follow-up matters will be handled judicially.
New Taipei City Government Consumer Protection Officer Chung Chia-ju also visited the scene today out of concern. He stated that the interior design company is still legally registered and has sent a legal attest letter to the homeowner. The city government will do its best to help convene a coordination meeting for the homeowner to negotiate with the contractor on whether to terminate the contract and refund or continue fulfilling the contract for subsequent work.
The consumer protection officer also appealed that when signing an interior renovation contract or quote, some contractors might use rhetoric to ask consumers to pay in advance, but remember not to give out money too quickly. Be sure to "pay only as the work progresses" to reduce risks. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150423
Stand with facts, your every sponsorship is the power to guard press freedom
Download the CNA "First Hand News" APP, immediately grasp the latest news
The text, pictures, and audio-visuals on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted or utilized without authorization.