What to look out for when looking for contractor / ID

1. Ask questions to gauge their competency, eg :

a) How many projects have you undertaken? Can you show me your on-going projects? Can I meet the owners?

b) Who are the workers? Are they your sub-contractors or employees in the same company as you? How long have you worked with them? How can I be sure you are not using workers who may be learning-on-the-job at my expense? What happens if they make mistakes? What is the standard and quality of work I can expect? What happens if I am not happy with the workmanship?

c) I want to hack my bedroom wall to create a larger living space. Are you able to get HDB approval for that?

d) I wish to replace all the old sliding windows to casement windows, including the louvre windows in my bathrooms. How long would it take to get HDB approval?

2. Job scope discussion

On job scope it is important you give him a broad and detailed idea of what you want for the renovation. That means you should have done your homework and decided

a) what you want to renovate e.g. change the floor tiles, replace all the windows, replace old chute, hack the bedroom wall, rewiring, false ceiling, etc

b) the type of materials you want e.g. granite flooring, bamboo flooring for bedrooms

c) possibly the color and texture you want. Must remember to keep a sample with color/design code stated in the sample, just in case for future reference in case there is conflict in future.

d) Look at the range of material color/design they have. If not, later may need to top up if they don't have the range you want.

e) on the workmanship quality you are looking for

f) the time schedule to complete the entire renovation.

3. View their past projects

Always ask to see an ID's work, whether he has been highly recommended or not. See for yourself the standard of workmanship done. Ask to see not only one job site but a few, to guard against "passing-off".

Generally if the owner of the flat is around when you see the project, you could ask the owner for his/her opinion of the ID too.

4. Quotation and pricing of the renovation.

Note you should only commence negotiation after

a) you have ascertained the ID / Contractor's competence and
b) he knows clearly the works you want completed within the timespan you have specified.

Prepare a checklist of what you want to be done in detail. Get the contractor to use your checklist template if possible, so that it is easy to compare with one another.