A house is where people rest at the end of the day. This is the reason why many invest in renovating their houses. If you are one of these people who like to renovate their house every several years, you have to remember a few tips in looking for a renovation contractor Singapore.
The first tip to is to check the contractor’s legality in regards with the Housing Development Board (HDB). This is the most important to remember always, either you are renovating or constructing a new house under the HDB.
If you have been a resident of Singapore for quite a long time, you already know that the government provides housing program that is affordable to its citizen. Naturally, the government regulates the construction. Almost 80% of the construction of the residential houses in the country is under the direct supervision of the government. The contractors have to follow certain specifications that the government has stipulated. These specifications include the type of construction materials, space, electrical wiring and among other things related to the construction.
If your house is under the HDB, your renovation contractor Singapore allowed to tear down your house should be registered with the HDB. Even if the contractors have a permit to renovate houses but with no registration or accreditation with the HDB, they are still not allowed. However, if your house is not HDB regulated, no one is stopping you in hiring a contractor that is not registered with HDB. You can hire anyone you like. Just make sure they are licensed under the real estate governing agencies. Otherwise, you will end up jeopardizing your home, your life, and your family if you hire an unlicensed contractor.
Verify if the contractor’s claims are true by searching the website of HDB or any government agencies the contractor has mentioned in their portfolio. These government agencies issue circulars in cases contractors receive accreditation or revoke their accreditation. The government also issues public announcements when retrofitting are required to the HDB houses.
The second tip to remember is an accreditation with a trusted real estate association. Although this is not mandatory, an accreditation by a reputed association is a good thing. This means that the renovation contractor Singapore is serious about building high-quality homes. They are not just after the money, they are geared towards serving the citizens by providing comfort and affordability through the construction of houses. Aside from the quality, you are assured of good conflict management when something goes wrong with the renovation.
The third tip is to request and compare quotations. The cost from one contractor to another differs significantly. This cost may include the quality of the materials used, the area of the house, and the design of the floor plan. Asking for quotations or comparing prices eliminates misconception or any misunderstanding.
The fourth tip is to use a model agreement provided by a reputable real estate broker. If you are not comfortable with the legal terms mentioned in the contract, you may request that you use a customized model agreement that you can easily understand. Before signing the contract, read everything that is written in the pages. Ask any questions if you cannot understand phrases and let the contractor explain the meaning of those phrases. Alternatively, ask your attorney to make the interpretations to avoid any legal issues in the future.
In addition to the clear contract agreement, the renovation contractor Singapore should provide a complete list of materials, products to be used and services to be rendered. The contractor should give you an itemized billing.
The fifth tip is to read on what are the good practices in constructing or renovating houses. The BCA (Building and Construction Authority) enumerates and discusses different practices in building houses. Knowing these practices may help you identify what is wrong in the contract or what is not right with the services enumerated in the contract.
Sixth is to discuss the schedule with the renovation contractor Singapore. Make sure to reiterate the deadline for the renovation. The deadline should be clearly indicated in the contract. In addition to this stipulation, the manner of payment should also be included. Do not sign a contract that says full payment even before the renovation begins. A down payment is okay but the succeeding payments should be given as the renovation progresses.
The seventh is to look for any defect liability clauses. What are these clauses? These clauses state that the renovation contractor Singapore is liable for any defects up to certain months. Usually, these clauses indicate a liability of up to 12 months after the renovation. Most of the times, contractors try to hide the defects by not mentioning it to you or by proceeding to the next renovation plan, quickly. They would try to cover up these defects as much as possible. By the time you discover the defects, the defects liability period has expired.
After every renovation progress, make it a habit to inspect the work in progress. Document any defects you found and bring these matters with the contractor immediately. Before the next renovation, period commences, ensure that you have dealt with the defects by asking the contractor to rectify these defects. A good renovation contractor Singapore should allow you to inspect their work before proceeding with the next. These inspections should also be included in the contract to ensure quality throughout the renovation.
Renovating your house may seem stressful. However, when you know what to do and the things to remember, you minimize the pressure of having your house renovated. In addition, sticking to your budget is easier. To wrap up the tips mentioned, first, read the contract carefully and ask questions before signing. Second, do not settle for the first contractor you find in your neighborhood. Third, do not forget to verify the claims of renovation contractor Singapore when registration with HDB is concerned. Make sure these claims are true. Fourth, inspect the work in progress to see if defects really do exist.