Most middle and upper middle income families in Singapore live in flats provided by the Housing and Development Board or HDB. Because of this, renovating flats and homes have been stringent. The homeowner and the renovation contractor must abide by the rules and guidelines set by HDB. If you wish to renovate your HDB flat, here are some tips to get you started:
1. Know if that renovation contractor is an HDB registered renovation contractor. Only contractors who registered themselves as an HDB registered renovation contractor are allowed to work on HDB flats. As of May 17, 2014, there are 124 registered renovation contractors. All of them are listed in the HDB website (http://www.hdb.gov.sg) which you can visit for additional information. If you are on mobile, you can also check http://mobile.hdb.gov.sg/.
Be sure to look for a HDB registered renovation contractor. Hiring a non-HDB registered renovation contractor is an offense that could lead to penalties including a $5,000 fine. Also, be aware that HDB is not involved in the project. The transaction is only between the homeowner and the renovation contractor.
2. Talk to the contractor. Inform the contractor of the renovation you plan to make. If he is a good renovation contractor, he would provide inputs on what can be and what cannot be done. He would also provide examples of his past work. Ask the contractor for references and for documents proving that he is an HDB registered renovation contractor. This will serve as your background check on the contractor.
3. Ask for information on how much the renovation could cost. A good renovation contractor must provide you with a list of total cost, a list of the materials needed, warranty information and change order rate for whenever the original work order is altered. However, the contractor must also know which renovations are allowed under the guidelines provided by HDB. Some renovations like plastering of ceilings or replacement of windows are not allowed. Other renovations such as plumbing and electrical repairs are allowed and do not require permits. In other renovations, the contractor must submit a floor plan with the proposed alterations to the HDB for approval. All renovations must follow a set timeframe and the contractor must inform your neighbors of the renovation in your flat. The renovation contractor must be aware of these guidelines.
These are just three tips you can follow when looking for a good renovation contractor. Of the three tips, tip number one is the most important if you live in an HDB flat. Tips number two and number three can be followed after. Once you have found the contractor that is right for you, then the renovation begins.