Finding and checking a renovation contractor
Where do I find contractors allowed to renovate HDB flats?
For renovation in an HDB flat, you need a contractor listed in HDB's Directory of Renovation Contractors. HDB says DRC contractors know its requirements, but it does not endorse them or vouch for the quality of their works. Being on the list is only a starting point, so check each contractor yourself.
What should I check before shortlisting?
Check that the Unique Entity Number (UEN) belongs to the company named on the quote; our guide shows how to verify a contractor's UEN. Ask to see photos of finished projects similar to yours. Then ask for a written, itemised quote listing the works, materials and exclusions, rather than a figure given over the phone.
Should I get more than one quote?
Yes. Quotes from two or three contractors show you whether a price or timeline is out of line. Compare like-for-like: the same scope, the same materials and brands, the same finishes and the same exclusions, such as debris disposal. A lower quote that leaves items out can end up costing more once those items are added.
Contracts and payments
Before you hire a renovation contractor, read the contract and the payment terms as carefully as you check the design.
What does a fair renovation contract look like?
The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) has a guide on fair trading practices for the renovation industry. It covers an agreed timeline, itemised pricing with mandatory charges stated at the outset, accurate descriptions of goods and services, a clear exchange, repair and refund policy, and your express agreement to contract changes. Check your contract against it.
How is my deposit protected?
If the contractor is CaseTrust-accredited, by a deposit performance bond. CCCS says these renovation businesses must buy one and use the CaseTrust Standard Renovation Contract. CCCS adds that the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) advises paying deposits as low as possible and progressively by milestones. Our renovation payment schedule guide explains how to stage payments.
What does CaseTrust accreditation mean?
CaseTrust is a white-list of businesses that CASE has assessed as reliable, according to CCCS. You can check whether a renovation business is accredited on the CaseTrust website before you sign. CCCS adds that consumers who encounter unfair practices can approach CASE for assistance. Accreditation does not replace your own checks.
Permits and who does what
Does my contractor or do I handle the HDB permit?
Your contractor submits it, once you authorise it to. HDB says you authorise your DRC contractor to submit the renovation application on your behalf, with an acknowledgement form you sign. Some renovations need a permit and should start only after it is granted. Works that need no permit must still follow HDB's guidelines, or they are unauthorised works.
Can a handyman do part of the work?
Sometimes, for smaller jobs. Some households call a handyman for tasks such as putting up shelves or curtain rails after the main works finish. Agree in writing which items your contractor covers before anyone else starts, so responsibility is clear if something goes wrong. Our handyman or contractor comparison explains which jobs suit each.
Does condo renovation need approval?
It can. The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) says insignificant building works do not require plan submission to BCA, but works in a strata development may need approval from the Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST). Before work starts, ask your MCST which works need its approval, and share its answer with your contractor.
Delays, defects and disputes
What if the contractor is late?
Check the timeline agreed in your contract first. Write to the contractor, point to the agreed dates and ask for a revised schedule in writing, with the reason for the delay. If the contract has no timeline, agree one now and add it to the contract as a written change that you both sign.
What if the work is defective?
Write to the contractor as soon as you notice the problem. List each defect, attach clear photos and ask for a date by which it will be put right. Keep every reply. If the defects are still not fixed, our guide to a dispute with a contractor sets out the next steps.
Where can I get help with a dispute?
Help is available from CASE, through mediation or at the Small Claims Tribunals, or you can go to court. HDB is not privy to your private contract but lists these options for disputes on price, schedule or quality. A tribunal claim must be filed within two years from the date the cause of action arose.
Where to go next
Choosing a contractor is one part of a renovation. For permits, working hours and other rules that apply while the works are going on, see our renovation rules questions.
NEXT STEP
See handyman companies in the directory with their published prices, the areas they say they cover and their sources.
Compare handymenPrices depend on the job, the materials and the scope, so a single quote tells you little on its own. Once you have written quotes from two or more contractors, the quote comparison tool helps you compare them side by side before you decide.
Questions
Should the contractor provide a 3D design?
Only if you want one and it is agreed in the quote. A 3D drawing helps you picture the layout and spot problems before work starts. Ask whether it is included or charged separately, and check that the written scope and itemised quote match the design you approved, since those set out what you are paying for.
Can I buy my own materials?
Yes, if your contractor agrees and you put the arrangement in writing. Set out which items you will supply, when they must reach the site and who is responsible if an item is wrong, damaged or late. Also ask how the quote changes when you supply an item yourself.
Who pays for damage to the common corridor?
Whoever your contract makes responsible, so check that it says. Before work starts, ask the contractor how it will protect the corridor, lift and other shared areas, and agree in writing who pays to repair any damage. Take photos of the corridor beforehand so you have a record of its condition.
Can I change the design after signing?
Yes, if you and the contractor both agree to the change. The CCCS guide on fair trading practices for the renovation industry says contract changes need your express agreement, so put each change in writing, with its effect on price and timeline, before the work is done.
Is a verbal agreement with a contractor binding?
Do not rely on one: get the agreement in writing. A verbal promise is hard to prove if you later disagree about the price, the scope or the dates. Ask the contractor to confirm every agreement by message or email, and keep a copy. Add any changes agreed on site to the contract in the same way.
Should I be at home during renovation?
No, not all the time, but visit the site at key stages. Check progress against the contract before each staged payment and before work is covered up, such as before tiles are laid or carpentry is fixed in place. Agree with your contractor how often you will get updates and photos between visits.
Practical guidance for planning a home job in Singapore. Company prices come from the HomezyPro directory, each linked to its source; rules and safety points link to the agency or manufacturer that sets them. This is not a site inspection, a quote or professional advice for your home.
How HomezyPro worksYOUR NEXT STEP
Find the right team for your home.
Compare services, published prices and sourced reviews. Contact the company directly to confirm your job and availability.
Explore handyman companies