When John and Rachel, a young couple in their 30s, bought their resale flat in Punggol, they were on a tight budget. With most of their savings sunk into the downpayment and furnishings, they were hoping to save on renovation. That’s when they came across a contractor who offered a jaw-droppingly low quote of nearly 40% cheaper than the next lowest one they received.
Thinking they struck gold, they signed without much hesitation. The contractor promised to finish everything such as tiling, carpentry, electrical, and paint, all within six weeks. It seemed like a dream deal.
The Nightmare Begins
Things started to unravel within the first two weeks. Workers came late, often leaving early. Site progress was slow, and calls to the contractor went unanswered. But the real disaster came after handover.
Within months, the “newly installed” PVC pipes in the toilet began to leak. The beautifully painted living room walls developed bubbles and eventually started peeling. Cabinet doors in the kitchen wouldn’t close properly. And the laminate on the wardrobe warped due to water seepage.
When they tried to claim their warranty, the contractor disappeared, shut down his business number, removed his Facebook page, and never responded again. Left with no choice, the couple had to engage another contractor to redo the damaged works. Their initial $20,000 renovation budget ballooned into nearly $40,000.
What Went Wrong?
Their case isn’t unique. Many Singaporeans fall into similar traps when choosing contractors based purely on price. Here are the key pitfalls:
1. No Written Contract Details
They signed a simple invoice with no detailed scope of work. There was no clause for warranty, no timeline, and no milestones. That made it hard to hold the contractor accountable.
2. Too-Good-To-Be-True Pricing
Cheap quotes often cut corners by using subpar materials, skipping waterproofing, or outsourcing to unskilled workers.
3. No Proper Vetting
They didn’t check for accreditation (like CaseTrust or HDB-licensed) or reviews. The contractor had no portfolio or past clients to speak to.
4. Lack of Progress Checks
Busy with work, the couple didn’t visit the site often. By the time they realised the poor quality of work, it was too late.
Common Traps to Avoid
- Verbal promises are not enough. Always insist on detailed, written documentation.
- Suspiciously low quotes should raise eyebrows. If it’s 30–50% cheaper than others, ask: why?
- No contract milestones? No deal. You need a payment schedule tied to progress, not dates.
- No reviews or past work references? You’re taking a huge risk.
How to Protect Yourself
1. Request a detailed quotation that breaks down material, labour, and scope for each room.
2. Check accreditation, look for HDB-licensed contractors, CaseTrust certification, or check with friends for referrals.
3. Avoid full upfront payment, standard practice is a 10–30–50–10 model (deposit, mid-point, completion, final defects touch-up).
4. Conduct stage-by-stage checks, visit regularly, and get a second opinion if needed.
Lessons Learned
John and Rachel now share their story openly to warn others. Their advice? “Don’t make the mistake of assuming all IDs or contractors work the same way. If it sounds too cheap to be true, then it probably is.”
A cheaper contractor might save you a few thousand upfront, but fixing a bad reno work could cost you so much more, not to mention the stress and time involved.