You've been thinking about renovating your house for some time now, and after shopping around and meeting a few shortlisted contractors, you're ready to give your chosen one the go-ahead.

But before you sign the papers, there is one very important thing you need to know: If yours is a HDB flat, do hire a contractor who is HDB-licensed.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2642" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/Making-Good-Renovation-Decisions.jpg" alt="Making-Good-Renovation-Decisions" width="1000" height="666" />

&nbsp;
<h3>What does that mean, and why is that important?</h3>
A contractor who's HDB-licensed would have gone through proper training by HDB so that he or she knows how to carry out renovation works in HDB flats. It isn't a matter of quality, where unlicensed equals to lousy contractors. Rather, being licensed means they know how to renovate your HDB flat <strong>without causing any damage</strong> to the building structure and affecting other units.

Ryan from interior design company <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/interiordesign/dl/23/Urban-Habitat-Design.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Urban Habitat</a> agrees, "If there's one advice I can give to homeowners, it's to always engage a HDB/BCA registered renovation company so that no unwanted damage is caused."

To have regulation in this area, HDB's <strong>Registered Renovation Contractors' Scheme</strong> (RRCS) ensures that the contractors who work on your homes have the necessary know-how. You can <a href="http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10324p.nsf/w/RenoCntrctrRenoSys" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">read more about it here</a>.

Not only is there a stringent screening process, contractors can have their HDB license suspended if they accumulate a certain number of demerit points from infringing HDB rules. Get an idea of the contractor you're hiring by taking a look at what it takes to be HDB-licensed:
<ul>
 	<li>the contractor needs to successfully complete HDB's training course</li>
 	<li>the contractor must have at least three years of experience and be actively involved in the renovation trade</li>
 	<li>the company needs to be ACRA-registered for a minimum of one year</li>
 	<li>the contractor needs to have ownership of the company for at least a year</li>
 	<li>the company should have unblemished records</li>
</ul>
Because it's not easy to apply for a HDB license, unlicensed contractors may sometimes try to coax you into engaging them. They'll propose ways to work around the system, such as by ‘borrowing' the license of a partner company. Don't be swayed! Engaging a non-HDB-licensed contractor to carry out renovation works for your HDB flat is illegal and will cost you a <a href="http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10324p.nsf/w/HomeRenoGuidelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">fine of up to $5000</a>, amongst other penalties. It's just not worth the risk, don't you agree?

&nbsp;
<h3>How to find a HDB-licensed contractor</h3>
We're guessing that by now, you want a quick way to check if your contractor is registered with HDB. You can do so by sending an SMS to 90112222, just follow the steps <a href="https://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10324p.nsf/w/HomeRenoApplyPermit" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">outlined here</a>. Alternatively, HDB also provides a full <a href="http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10324p.nsf/w/HomeRenoContractors" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">listing of registered renovation contractors</a> on their website

&nbsp;

So, it's pretty straightforward - if you're renovating your HDB apartment, choose a HDB-licensed contractor. If yours is private housing, then it wouldn't matter. And above all, put your home in the hands of a trustworthy contractor!

Is Your Contractor HDB-licensed and Does It Matter?

We are here to help!