What an HDB registered contractor is
Being on HDB's list means the firm appears in the DRC. HDB's renovation permit page says you need to engage a contractor listed in the DRC for all renovations in your flat. So for renovation work, the listing is a requirement, not an optional extra.
HDB says DRC contractors are aware of its requirements and of the need to protect the building's structural integrity. It also says it does not endorse or vouch for the quality of their works (HDB on renovation contractors). A listing does not tell you whether the firm is neat, punctual or fairly priced.
You may also see the phrase HDB approved contractor in adverts. "Approved" is loose wording for a DRC listing, not a quality rating.
How to check the directory
HDB says its e-Service lets you search the Directory of Renovation Contractors and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Approved Window Contractors (HDB). Do the check yourself rather than relying on a logo on a brochure, and do it before you pay any deposit.
- Get the firm's details. Ask for the registered business name and Unique Entity Number (UEN) on the quotation, not just a brand name or a name card.
- Search the directory. Look the firm up in the DRC search and check that the name matches the quotation exactly.
- Check the business. Look the UEN up with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) to confirm the company and its status. See how to verify a contractor's UEN for what to look for.
- Keep a record. Save a screenshot of the listing with your quotation, contract and permit papers.
If the names on the quotation, in the directory and on the ACRA record do not line up, ask the firm to explain before you sign anything.
Who else you may need
A DRC firm handles the renovation, but HDB's permit page says other works need an appropriately licensed person:
- Water service and sanitary works: a PUB Licensed Plumber.
- Gas service works: an Energy Market Authority (EMA) Licensed Gas Service Worker.
- Windows: a BCA approved window contractor listed with HDB.
- Electrical installation: an electrical worker licensed by EMA.
HDB also says some renovations need an HDB permit. You authorise your contractor to submit the electronic renovation application on your behalf, with an acknowledgement form signed by you (HDB). For more on how the application works, see the HDB renovation permit guide.
What the listing does not cover
A DRC listing does not make HDB part of your deal. HDB says engaging a contractor is a private contract between you and the contractor, and HDB is not privy to it. If you cannot settle a disagreement on pricing, schedule or quality privately, you can seek help from the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE), the Singapore Mediation Centre or the Small Claims Tribunals, or go to court (HDB). HDB also points homeowners to CaseTrust accreditation for renovation businesses, and to CASE's Company Alert List of businesses with complaints lodged against them.
The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) published a guide on fair trading practices for the renovation industry in 2022. It covers five areas: a mutually agreed timeline; transparent pricing with no hidden costs; accurate descriptions of goods and services; a clear exchange, repair and refund policy; and your express agreement to any change in the contract. On pricing, it asks for quotes that are accurate, clear and itemised, with mandatory charges stated at the outset. CCCS also notes that CaseTrust-accredited renovation businesses must use the CaseTrust Standard Renovation Contract and protect deposits with a deposit performance bond.
Agree when each payment falls due before you sign. See the renovation payment schedule guide before you agree on how much to pay up front.
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In practice, small repairs inside the flat do not need a renovation firm. A loose cabinet hinge or a wobbly shelf is a handyman job. A full renovation is different: several trades, more than one room and a permit application are the kind of project an HDB renovation contractor is set up to coordinate.
If one part of your job falls under a licensed trade listed above, hire that specialist directly or ask your contractor who will do that part, and check their licence. Price depends on the job, so compare quotes for the same scope of work.
Not sure which side your job falls on? The handyman or contractor comparison sets out the differences, and the pre-renovation checklist helps you get your papers, quotes and timeline ready before anyone starts work.
Questions
Is a DRC listing the same as an HDB endorsement?
No. HDB says DRC contractors are aware of its requirements and of protecting the building's structural integrity, but it does not endorse or vouch for the quality of their works (HDB). Treat the listing as a basic check, then compare itemised quotes, read the contract and look at the firm's finished jobs.
Can an unlisted contractor renovate my HDB flat?
No. HDB's permit page says you need to engage a contractor listed in the Directory of Renovation Contractors for all renovations in your flat (HDB). Some works also need a specific licensed person, such as a BCA approved window contractor listed with HDB for windows, so check who will do each part of the job.
Does HDB help if my contractor disappears?
No. HDB says engaging a contractor is a private contract between you and the contractor, and HDB is not privy to it (HDB). If a disagreement on pricing, schedule or quality cannot be settled privately, you can seek help from CASE, the Singapore Mediation Centre or the Small Claims Tribunals, or go to court. Keep your quotation, contract and payment records.
Do I need a DRC contractor just to paint my flat?
Possibly, so check HDB's permit page before you treat painting as minor work. HDB asks you to engage a contractor listed in the DRC for all renovations in your flat, and works that need no permit must still follow its guidelines (HDB). If you are unsure whether your job counts, ask HDB before you hire a painter.
How do I know if a firm is CaseTrust accredited?
Ask the firm, then confirm it on CASE's CaseTrust listing. HDB points homeowners to CaseTrust accreditation for renovation businesses, along with CASE's Company Alert List of businesses with complaints lodged against them (HDB). CCCS notes that accredited renovation firms must use the CaseTrust Standard Renovation Contract and protect deposits with a deposit performance bond (CCCS).
Should the contractor or I apply for the renovation permit?
Your contractor submits it for you. HDB says you authorise your renovation contractor to submit an electronic renovation application on your behalf, with an acknowledgement form signed by you (HDB). Works that need a permit should start only after it is granted, so ask your contractor to show you the approval before work begins.
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.
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