Where to find a reliable contractor for condo renovation?

[wwww]

I need to renovate my new condo, but I noticed that it is hard to find a reliable contractor for this.

I have contacted a contractor who was not even able to provide me a proper quote (chased him for weeks and only got excuses...) and this seems to be pretty common from what I heard.

Is there any good website with contractor reviews or can anyone recommend me a reliable contractor?

Thank you

[ksl]

I need to renovate my new condo, but I noticed that it is hard to find a reliable contractor for this.

I have contacted a contractor who was not even able to provide me a proper quote (chased him for weeks and only got excuses...) and this seems to be pretty common from what I heard.

Is there any good website with contractor reviews or can anyone recommend me a reliable contractor?

Thank you

Try one of the HDB contractors, think there is a list on the HDB website. Remember that HDB have vetted their contractors to comply with HDB standards and financial stability, which i believe to be higher than many local renovators.

It's a real dodgy business I know because i have worked in it, with untrustworthy people on contract work, where I was called in to correct the persons work, the contractor, as we had already been paid out for the job.

I was actually almost in fighting mode because of his shoddy work, which i had to correct, his contract was terminated and I had to work an extra 3hrs. Always a problem with contractors very risky business, as they want to do it in the least possible time if working on a fixed price. Make sure you get a written quotation with maximum quotation if you don't want the price to increase by 50 to 100%.

[sundaymorningstaple]

This should do you nicely....

http://www.radac.org.sg/arlist.asp

[patsy_sg]

you coud try the renotalk forum, lots of ideas, recommndations there

[ev-disinfection]

For condo apartments, if you can get a electrician, cornice guy, carpenter and painter... there is nothing else that you would need, apart from buying the lightings. oh and a curtain maker.

Tell them that you will pay cash, but you will need a very good price.
After negotiations individually, get the electrician, cornice guy, carpenter for a group coordination meeting.

The painter and curtain maker will come in only after the 3 guys above have done their work.

Get introductions for the 5 tradesmen. Everything can be done within 2 weeks.

and now you are a contractor yourself.
Cheers

[wwww]

thanks for your help guys.

Has anyone had a good experience with a contractor recently and can make me a recommendation. Finding a reliable contractor in Singapore seems to be a "needle in a haystack"-kind of operation.

[ev-disinfection]

I would recommend JNS RENO-SYS
Richard Lee - 91080650,
IDA licence no. IW101442.

[ecureilx]

thanks for your help guys.

Has anyone had a good experience with a contractor recently and can make me a recommendation. Finding a reliable contractor in Singapore seems to be a "needle in a haystack"-kind of operation.

My 2 cents : that contractors are cheats is a bit of a myth .. if you specify what you want, and give your budget, and the contractor can match it - you are game.

Listening to a drinking buddy who is a contractor - 9 out of 10 customers want to pay less and want the most, so either the contractor cuts corners with cheap material or do business for a loss ..

And .. if you are in a business with the heaviest competition (turn on the TV to see how many home renovators are in the market) you got to fight ..

[ksl]

thanks for your help guys.

Has anyone had a good experience with a contractor recently and can make me a recommendation. Finding a reliable contractor in Singapore seems to be a "needle in a haystack"-kind of operation.

My 2 cents : that contractors are cheats is a bit of a myth .. if you specify what you want, and give your budget, and the contractor can match it - you are game.

Listening to a drinking buddy who is a contractor - 9 out of 10 customers want to pay less and want the most, so either the contractor cuts corners with cheap material or do business for a loss ..

And .. if you are in a business with the heaviest competition (turn on the TV to see how many home renovators are in the market) you got to fight ..

9 out of 10 customers want to pay less and want the most, so either the contractor cuts corners with cheap material or do business for a loss ..

This is exactly how the cheating occurs, for example, there is specific standards for hinges for doors, it doesn't help if the guy puts on hinges, that cannot bear the weight of the door. Another example would be fitting the wrong window into the frame work, so the top half that should open cannot open, as it's in the wrong place.

Like I said I've seen all the tricks with my own eyes being in the industry, panels filled with paper and and covered with poly filler, I could go on and on. The point is that a quote should be given on regards to the specifications of being legally accepted, you couldn't cut corners with me, as i would be looking at the building regulations, but others would not be. I've seen some real cowboys here in Singapore too, that give the trade a bad name, just like they do in Europe.

The guy that did my renovation in UK, went bankrupt I used a Council recommended builder, as there was a grant available, little did he realise that I was just as cute as he was, I refused to sign the release of the grant money until he corrected all the faults around 30, the council surveyors came out to inspect the works, and drainage too and also said we will not release the money to him, until the faults had been corrected, he refused to correct the faults as he had no money.

I think one should be conscientious when doing work for others, not scheming how to win contracts with low bids, then cut corners that breech building regulations, that is illegal. Though Singapore building regulations maybe less stringent and there isn't much you can do about that, I would still stick with an HDB registered renovator, even for a condo, as they cannot afford bad work feedback to get back to HDB it could ruin their contracts if genuine complaints are reported.

Always get 2 or 3 detailed quotes to include labour charges and specifications of materials of what is being used. You must demand it as not all will give it, for obvious reasons on the corner cutting. Fire doors, hinges, weight bearing structures, 4X2 partitioning, sand & cement mixing and under coats and finish. Best to have the list checked by a certified authority engineer, and also the work carried out if it's a big job of 50k or more. Many will want money up front, and try to extract your pennies before job completion, try to avoid that by having someone that is financially secure. You don't want them to spend all your money and not come back, it's all about being street wise.

[FaeLLe]

I need to renovate my new condo, but I noticed that it is hard to find a reliable contractor for this.

I have contacted a contractor who was not even able to provide me a proper quote (chased him for weeks and only got excuses...) and this seems to be pretty common from what I heard.

Is there any good website with contractor reviews or can anyone recommend me a reliable contractor?

Thank you

Highly recommend this company D'Perception Ritz.
http://www.dperception.com.sg/

Very professional, made my condo into an absolute showflat.
They were not too rigid by the scope of work we formalized in the contract as well and gave me a lot of modifications and additions as Freebies.

Make sure you see their work and do get a quote.