Korean Apartment Interiors: Ohouse and Remodel Trends — 2026-10-15
Interior remodeling complaints in South Korea surged by 22.2% in the first half of 2026, prompting consumer agencies to issue warnings about unregistered contractors. Amidst this rise in disputes, Hanssem launched the industry's first extended warranty insurance to build trust, while Ohouse (Bucketplace) faces scrutiny over contractor verification on its platform.
Korean Apartment Interiors: Ohouse and Remodel Trends — 2026-10-15
Top developments
Interior Complaints Jump 22% in H1 2026
Consumer complaints regarding interior remodeling in South Korea rose by 22.2% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year. A total of 430 cases were filed, with defect repairs accounting for 56.9% of all grievances since 2023. The Korea Consumer Agency has issued a "prevention warning," urging consumers to verify that contractors are properly registered under the Construction Industry Basic Act before signing high-value contracts.
Hanssem Launches Industry-First Extended Warranty Insurance
On October 13, Hanssem introduced "Hanssem AS Care+," an extended warranty insurance product that allows customers to extend furniture warranties by three years. This move is designed to differentiate Hanssem from competitors by offering full repair cost coverage, addressing consumer anxiety about post-installation defects. The product, also reported by Seoul Economic Daily as the "furniture industry's first," aims to stabilize demand even as the broader housing market slows.
Ohouse Platform Scrutinized for Unregistered Contractors
Local media highlighted a case where a consumer who spent 20 million KRW on renovations via an online platform discovered the contractor was unregistered for construction work. This incident has intensified calls for stricter vetting by platforms like Ohouse (operated by Bucketplace), which acts as an intermediary between users and interior experts. Financial News reported that such disputes often end in legal battles because platforms may not be directly liable if the contractor is not properly certified, pushing consumers to demand better verification tools.
Local view
The PR (The PR Media) published a detailed series on how to handle interior disputes, noting that estimates often include "fake costs" (gigoong) while actual site work involves "hidden costs" (jogong), making post-completion verification difficult. SBS's "Kind Economy" segment emphasized that consumers should not rely solely on online reviews but must check business registration numbers to avoid "unregistered operator" traps, which are becoming more common as the partial remodeling trend grows.
Context & numbers
- Complaint Volume: 430 interior-related consumer complaints were filed in H1 2026, up 22.2% year-on-year.
- Defect Rate: Defect repairs constitute 56.9% of all interior complaints filed between 2023 and H1 2026.
- Warranty Extension: Hanssem's new AS Care+ adds 3 years to standard warranties, covering full repair costs.
On the radar
- Contractor Verification: Watch for policy changes or platform updates from Ohouse (Bucketplace) regarding mandatory construction industry registration checks for listed contractors, following recent media reports.
- Fall Moving Season: With the peak moving season in late October/November approaching, expect a spike in partial remodeling requests and potentially more disputes over tight timelines.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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