What should you check after renovation?

Before the walk-through: your post renovation checklist

Go through each space systematically with your contractor, one room at a time, and agree what still needs fixing. A renovation handover checklist prepared before the visit keeps you both focused on the agreed scope. For a new flat, the BTO defects checklist covers the separate check of its original construction.

• [ ] Bring the quote and contract with the agreed scope of works, to check each item against what was promised.
• [ ] Bring painter's tape or sticky notes to label each defect, and note every one in a written defects list, a method MyNiceHome suggests for new flats.
• [ ] Go in daylight, when marks, stains and uneven finishes are easier to see.
• [ ] Allow time to test every fitting, not just look at it.

Floors, walls and ceilings

• [ ] Tiles are even, with no chips, cracks or missing grout. Tap each tile gently and note any that sound hollow.
• [ ] In an HDB flat's bathrooms and toilets, HDB's building works guidelines require pre-packed waterproofing screed and a waterproofing membrane before new floor finishes, with the membrane turned up at least 150mm against walls and kerbs. Ask your contractor to confirm this was done.
• [ ] In an HDB flat, HDB's building works guidelines set a minimum false ceiling clearance of 2.4 metres from the finished floor, except in toilets and bathrooms.
• [ ] Paint is even, with no patches, drips or paint on switches and fittings.

MyNiceHome says slight colour variations in floor tiles or timber flooring, and in the width of tile grouting, come from the materials and manual work and are not considered defects. Keep your list of renovation defects for clear problems: cracks, chips, hollow tiles, obvious gaps and work that does not match the contract.

Plumbing and wet areas

Test every water point while your contractor is there, so any leak is seen and agreed on the spot.

• [ ] Run every tap and shower on hot and cold, and watch the joints for drips.
• [ ] Look under each sink with a torch for drips, damp or stains. For a leak under the kitchen sink, see the guide to a kitchen sink leaking underneath.
• [ ] Flush every toilet, check the cistern refills and shuts off, and check the floor around the base stays dry.
• [ ] Pour water onto each bathroom floor and check it flows to the floor trap without pooling.
• [ ] Ask who did the plumbing. In an HDB flat, HDB's renovation permit page says water service and sanitary works need a PUB Licensed Plumber.

Electrical points

• [ ] Every socket, switch and light works. Test sockets with a phone charger.
• [ ] The switches in the DB box are labelled by area. See the guide to reading the DB box.
• [ ] Your contractor tests the residual current circuit breaker (RCCB), a switch with a Test button usually in the DB box, while you watch. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) says to test it once a month.
• [ ] An LEW did or supervised any wiring and new power points, as EMA advises. EMA says electrical work in an HDB flat needs a Licensed Electrician, the class of LEW approved for loads of up to 45kVA.
• [ ] New wiring, rewiring or extensions were tested by an authorised officer from SP Services before supply was turned on, as EMA requires.

Doors, windows and carpentry

• [ ] Every door opens, closes and locks without force or scraping.
• [ ] If your main door opens onto a passageway such as a staircase or lift lobby and was replaced, HDB's building works guidelines say this needs an HDB permit and a half-hour fire-rated door with an accreditor's label, on a frame with a self-closing device. Check both are in place.
• [ ] Windows open, close and lock smoothly. In an HDB flat, HDB's renovation permit page says work on windows needs a Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Approved Window Contractor listed with HDB.
• [ ] Cabinet doors line up, close fully and do not rub, and drawers run smoothly. For a door that sags or will not stay shut, see the guide to cabinet hinge repair.

Documents and final payment

• [ ] Copies of any renovation permits. In an HDB flat, your contractor submits the renovation application for you, and HDB lets you view the permit once it is granted.
• [ ] Warranties for fittings and appliances installed.
• [ ] Receipts for every payment, matched against the contract.
• [ ] The name and licence number of the LEW who did the electrical work.
• [ ] Debris cleared. Ask whether cleaning is included; if not, arrange post-renovation cleaning before you move in.

Pay the final amount once the defects list is agreed, on the terms in your contract. The contract is private: HDB says it is not privy to it. If you cannot settle a disagreement on pricing, schedule or quality, HDB says you can seek help from CASE, the Singapore Mediation Centre or the Small Claims Tribunal, or go to court. See the guide to a dispute with a contractor.

Questions