Home Renovation Woes: Can We Avoid Them? | Talking Point | Full Episode

Poor renovation works are not a rarity for homeowners anticipating their dream homes. In fact, the renovation industry averages 1,300 complaints per year. That’s despite the presence of review sites and regulation.
From contractors who over promise to indistinguishable counterfeits, Talking Point host Diana Ser takes on the journey that many dread and finds out why getting your home renovated could be more tricky than it’s supposed to be… and what you can do about it.
Watch more #TalkingPoint: • Talking Point | Full E...
About the show: Talking Point investigates a current issue or event, offering different perspectives to local stories and revealing how it all affects you.
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[@lXooXl]

Perhaps should have a platform to reveal all those bad ID or contractors, so that home owners can at least avoid those listed.

[@GameFuMaster]

or... you know... revoke licences

[@Ace-cv1xd]

there is a platform for this

[@travelanniewhere]

@@Ace-cv1xd please do share

[@Ace-cv1xd]

@@travelanniewhere hometrust

[@travelanniewhere]

@@Ace-cv1xd amazing thanks!

[@melvintong2442]

I speak from personal experience. I found a lack of control and regulations by BCA and relevant government authorities on the standards, professionalism, fulfillment, liability and dispute mediation/resolution of the contractors for renovation, A&A works, etc. Both customers and neighbours who substain damages have no recourse except to take up legal actions. In most cases, they are unable to recover the full costs. BCA needs to step up

[@lucretius8050]

This piece didn't address one major point, what happens when you get defrauded? The real solution is to have stronger consumer protections, with the ability to take legal action against the relevant parties of malpractice and fraud when found guilty and treated as a criminal offence. While it increases costs, insurance should also be part of contracts on both parties so it will become a telling sign if a contractor isn't able to obtain insurance and legal recourse will become easier through insurance firms. Business to consumer frauds are not taken seriously in Singapore, which is why you still have many package services scams and the horrible response to just file a complaint to CASE. And most people's reply when you get scammed or force sold to is to learn from it and be more "street smart", the scammers win in the end and becomes rampant. Consumers should have never been required to become project managers when doing renovation works, while it is good to be additionally prudent but it should not be a norm.

[@yw1292]

2 7

[@quartzcookie]

Totally agree with you. More often than not, institutions tend to put the onus on consumers to make the right decision. But when companies lack integrity in the first place, it's not on the consumers anymore. We need stronger consumer protection laws in place.

[@stargazeronesixseven]

🙏 Thank You So Much CNA Insider & Talking Point to highlight & address these issues that affect many when they wanted to renovate their homes! 🌷🌿💖🕊🇸🇬

[@patricksoon8628]

As I know in renovation industry, like painting 4 room flat - paint n tools $400 main power $400 the paint contractor will charge $1500, main con will charge $2300, ID will charge $3000😂. The kitchen set from factory only $4k plus installation, when to contractor become $8k , to main con become $15k, to the id become $22k 😂

[@stargazeronesixseven]

Better Governance of the Renovation Industries by the respective Governmental Agency with Higher Penalties & License Suspension for any repeat offenders of irresponsible & shoddy workmanship that endangered the Safety of the occupants! It's time to take appropriate actions to reduce these unprofessional practices of the renovation industries , since many Singaporean home owners had been victims of these house renovation woes over the decades! 🚔

[@user-ijh7tl5ie3]

Fully agree! Too many black sheep in this particular industry, it is time the authorities implement proper regulations.

[@user-ff5js6hj2k]

K​@@user-ijh7tl5ie3

[@IvanaOng-d6c]

Excellent documentary on the woes of renovation - accreditations and regulatory measures are necessary steps that need to be implemented to keep construction companies at check

[@aqilhomaili]

I used to work as a interior design photographer before and noticed alot of the houses. the contractor done a bad job such as wrong place ment loose hardware to the wall. Most owner don't realise this at all which I felt bad. Regarding the price and the completion date on the project they should put a range in it instead of confirming the exact price. Constantly update their customer through WhatsApp on what each price cost. Which most Id lack off which is sense of communication. There need to be alot of mutual trust and communication for the project to be run smoothly and companies also should not do too many project at once as it will distrup their quality of work.

[@iexan]

Maybe it is time for government to come up with a grading concept to review the quality work of these so called ID experts

[@kai-dp3cg]

Some ID companies market themselves as high end and luxurious,they claim the mount the clients pay is for their experience but the boss hadn’t been in the industry for easily 15 years and he claimed to have 20 years experience…workers are forced to lie about how long they’ve been working for the company and how long they’ve been in the industry, interns had to say they were experienced and older than we were so they seemed more legit. First quote always try to meet the client’s budget but eventually issue so many VOs that the final amount also added up to 2x the amount they could afford. Had a client whose sons seemed sus on the amount and they decided to question the pricing (which I think is perfectly fine, their parents hard earned money how can just anyhow spend). Boss tried to mediate the situation but in the end still terminated contract, after thatboss complained that the clients were stingy and shouldn’t expect so much from “high end designers” but his portfolio in terms of renovation is like 1 house that actually looks nice. Project management was horrible too, forced the intern to overlook 2 major projects even though she was unsure and inexperienced. Kept making her mistakes a “learning moment” when it seemed more like shaming. Work environment was toxic because they fought non stop and I could never do my work in peace , had to stay back on sundays if clients wanted to go shopping (even though they said it was not necessary) if w e declined they would keep bringing it up and making us feel bad for not attending. Kept saying they didn’t need us but we did all the work and he took all the credit, threatened to kick us out of company when we decided to eat lunch as a group and left the office (in the care of the second boss). In terms of handover, the company guaranteed can handover on time, but pushed the date over and over again for every single project not just one. If it was one can still understand but all the projects I worked with all of them had problems with work quality and timeline it was so stressful for me because I had to talk to the contractors and they would shout at me but all I was trying to do was to help out the clients. Quotations were completely out of hand too because even though we were detailed and has everything work labeled, it was. Asked on how he felt like quoting, and then for VOs they would give an easy 30% markup just cause they salty about the clients asking a lot of questions.

[@Kimmi7581]

In general singapore has the worst service quality. Yet donno what are we all doing to fix. Check with case and they said can’t do much and cannot enforce any law. Wonder why these errands businesses are so bold and brazen. Sad that we are a first world nation but service standards seems worse than 3rd world.

[@wxt7560]

My cousin was told that his toilet door need technique to open. Refuse to admit poor workmanship.

[@z.zaimie1406]

Overcomitting and overselling...before u put in the money they will promise you with so many things but end up not able to commit to it..been thru hell too for myself.its a stressful journey if the stupid ID has poor management skills

[@prophunter8865]

Must always have close supervision of renovation, and engage an ID that is highly rated. Never save on small money if not u will end up on losing all money, time and energy.

[@gzSING]

Government is at fault by taking a hands off and eyes closed approach to this problem. The problem is pervalent and pervasive - it affects a large population of citizens and common enough that it requires the Government to close both eyes and pretend NOT to see it!! Licensure, accreditation, and regular audits as well as an official avenue for justice (CASE has no State powers; I mean it's NOT even a Government Agency!!) - just like how the Insurance industry is being managed under MAS now.

[@newjourney9220]

Rule of Thumb. I used to be a designer. 1) Don't ever trust a contractor 100%. Do your own homework. 2) Be prepared to pay 10-20% more than the agreed contract price. 3) Supervise the work periodically and ask contractor to update progress. Never give the contractor full control. 4) Be firm sometimes and not too soft towards contractor. 5) and the most important is never ever pay more than the % of job done. Pay according to progress work. Even though the contactor cry in front of u.

[@Wuyh99]

it's bad to move in during renovation, its harmful to the health and many stuff

[@LordBagdanoff]

It’s a cut throat business and seriously over charging of things until it feels like a scam. The worst part is new owners willing to pay for renovation because they use their grants for the house feeling like they already saved abit.

[@prophunter8865]

Agree it is a cut throat business so it is not advisable to just go for the cheapest quote but rather opt for the most experienced and well reviewed company. Speaking from past personal experience, cheapest quote usually ends up being the less experience firm.

[@bchpls24]

some company can be so shady.

[@breekstout]

Governance and individual integrity

[@hang4963]

Also you can always ask the contractor specifically what you choose the material brand name for the renovations as well 👌🤣👍

[@jchantw]

Diana ser still so chio after so many years.. 😍

[@GT-uc9gs]

Heard that the biggest player and advert so loud also doesn’t have hdb license 😅 but cna , why choose all the ah Beng company to do the talking rather then finding a good architect to do the explanation ? And how about homeowner find their own source on their own? With no hdb License but they can run the whole house themselves ?

[@flowertrap88]

This is so right and true! Why find all the ah beng firms to ask these questions! Cna, its disappointing...

[@tslee8236]

The should be consumer training courses on home renovation. 😅 Ask for and inspect credentials before allowing works to start.

[@jccc6524]

Because of culture society problems none will be like Japan good in quality and honest.

[@jollysubmerine7136]

Best to work with CaseTrust IDs!

[@kwoowoo828]

When you hear an industry or company mentioning about labor crunch and cannot find workers, you better run and avoid doing business with them. There is no such thing as cannot find workers but only not willing to pay the salary they deserve. If you want cheap labor, of course you gonna have a hard time employing quality worker who command a higher salary in other companies who value them. So company who tell you they cannot find workers is telling you that the current workers that they have are all cheap stuffs. I am not saying cheap is low quality but saying high quality is not cheap. If you risk letting them do the job, you bear half the responsibility. The red flag is already there and yet you go cross the red line to engage them.

[@user-ijh7tl5ie3]

Agree👍👍👍

[@tywakorn]

Always insist for a detailed 3D design..once it's documented then it minimises disputes thereafter..

[@hang4963]

License or no license doesn't matter , the reality is who believes those guys with smooth talk forget it, knowledge of individual character craftsmanship is more important than anything else.👌🤣💯👍👍👍

[@hannesRSA]

Talking point hosts 😍

[@pinewood4048]

To avoid is very simple Find a ID with 1) with their own factory (their workers will be wearing logos ) check their work permit if u dare to ask … lol 2) check their factory for traces of of other works they have (Eg. Electrical tools, paint, plastering equipment , cement , plumbing pipes , etc ) Normally the factory will be messy and dirty which in fact when the works are done u will be more than a happy man.

[@chinchowpowpook]

One look at this suay owner, can tell he wanna squeezed contractor quote..so u get a zoo house.

[@tzehwenlim668]

Phrase Chu Kang is the best!

[@static_555]

That's because the entry barrier for being a registered ID & contractor is too low. Any ah beng ah seng can be ID / contractor these days

[@qunali1598]

It is too easy to close or abandon one company and start a new one, which many are doing now. The blacklist is never ending.

[@uberinfinitegaming]

Simple tips and logically speaking 1) Ensure the company is HDB & BCA Licensed 2) Do some research within word of mouth, especially recommendations which is a good sign 3) How long have they been in the industry?

[@jessicaregina1956]

One simple tip. Don't renovate. 🤣

[@cirihime9479]

Go for the experienced and expensive and well known contractors. Ask what the customer wants and describe contracts. You pay the " Phua Chu Kang " style contractor, thats what you get for t hat kind of discounted price. It was not easy to find contractor that do 3D and expected perfections. Pay high to licensed trusted one. Make your contract clear that make contractors happy.

[@lesterlim7693]

Hi just curious because there are so many gimmicks out there these days. Could you pm me an eg of a trustworthy contractor?

[@pearlborneo2379]

Got 3 storey house in spore also can't finish the reno...

[@IAmThe_RA]

Hate those fancy doors.

[@denyin4549]

You have zero disappointment when you have low expectations

[@jarrodyuki7081]

boutneis for all my assignment quizzes and exams !!!!! and handling fees for my tedious tasks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@soonleongong4863]

I am an experienced ID and i left the industry. Singapore ID are mostly salesman, most of them they do not possess sufficient knowledge. Even if we talk about design, 80% doesn't know anything and they simply cut and paste from internet. There is a reason for every design, not just nice looking.

[@breadnewbie6326]

hire a lawyer first to know the options you can do. don't make wrong move that can be used against you (don't assume anything, find what the law said).

[@misterbig9025]

lawyer means more money

[@rayne5368]

Need to spend twice the money to get the job done.

[@iblessyou.forextrablessing7597]

So called skills workers. Can’t cut wire correctly hide problems . Walls etc. that’s why. Measure also guess work errors.

[@zhen86]

yup. some "skills workers" they are.

[@susanlew1709]

wow how much is this Damage and Renovation Caused after all?

[@44jwong]

A lot of those are youngsters and perhaps one of their first job (or second), have no experienced in building, that's all I can sum up.

[@godzillaenergy]

which id?

[@MalcolmWong]

If PCK.. he will get the job done.. but pricey

[@durianjaykin3576]

If hdb contract them, see if these contractors still dare to play play

[@nipulu77]

3 persons and 1 dog, living in 3 storey landed. ...suay having such id

[@krollpeter]

You should not be required to be an expert for the originality of hinges and other fittings, quality of paints and wood used, solidity of tiles and their right bedding, expert for cement analysis, etc. etc..

[@jarrodyuki7081]

bounties for all my assignments quizzes and exams!! and handling fees for my tedious tasks!!!!!!!!! i need loving relations with my mom the government and roommates and school and teachers.

[@user-ijh7tl5ie3]

Hi jarrod yuki, hope all is well with u. Just do as best as u can, eat properly and hv enough rest. Everything will be ok huh. 👍❤😊🙏👍

[@skyblkbly7261]

Unlicensed contractor? Hehehe, pls it's all done by the low paying fw, that's the problem.

[@mohammadasifrao4190]

well if you go cheap thats what you get simple

[@jchantw]

Dun b s la.. lose 8 kg.. u got so sick meh? No eat? Mai hao siao in front of TV la...

[@zhen86]

You ID?

[@josephsingapore8742]

I don't renovate my hse at all..

[@cfengnet]

Any ah gou ah mao can be id nowadays

[@kehidupankanada]

Malfunction poor mgmt is all i can say.

[@danielselvyn2]

basically dont trust ur ah beng ah seng ID firm

[@LordBagdanoff]

Then go to who?..

[@moonstars6279]

Many no experience jys join the id Co to get sales for them maybe...

[@zhen86]

@@LordBagdanoff Those that are not ah beng ah seng la!

[@LordBagdanoff]

@@zhen86 pls share if u found

[@kelho4791]

The owner could have just sue the architect for poor design and subcontractor for poor workmanship

[@gadenp81]

You have to pay the lawyer fees and most of the time they just close down the company and open another. You will win but cannot claim your money back. That is after the extremely long lawyer progress. These people are snakes is hard to win them.

[@Callsign-Blade_RunnerSG]

@@gadenp81 There need to be laws which binds official names with the history of any said company. That way, even if they change the company’s name, it’ll follow them like a track record for clients to view.

[@joelli9795]

@@Callsign-Blade_RunnerSG That will be very "anti-rights" against the poor company owners. How will they cheat others if their names are known? But honestly, only the honest businessman that screwed up will be affected, as the horrible ones will just register under other people's names for their next project. You cannot win one, as mentioned these guys are snakes.

[@misterbig9025]

Suing needs money

[@JDLuffy]

interior designer and architect are two different things

[@stevenlim9311]

Lack experience designer

[@SowerOfMustardSeed]

I thought all Singaporean are diligent…

[@andrewchia8045]

Diana, that was only ONE sided story from the home owner, you should drill into the 1st contractor side of the story. then get the 2nd contractor to tell his story. How long has the 2nd contractor being engaged and why it is not complete yet? 9 months of delay is not common and it is a stressful situation. Since he can buy 3 stories landed property, considered wealthy person, why he didnt take it into the court? was this issue being address? fishy... fishy...

[@rogerfaint499]

For me, I suffered almost 2 years delay during the covid pandemic and the ID was the worst of the worst.

[@WasLostButNowAmFound]

Okay la, such a long essay. 😅

[@zhen86]

Are you an ID?

[@cylok2871]

Pay peanuts get monkeys!

[@pllin240]

what a disaster 😑 I feel for this guy and his family...

[@itzSoonz]

me scrolling the comments to read adult comments

[@Thelocalavenue]

Its simple and not rocket science. Just avoid those design and build firms at all cost 🤣🤣🤣

[@marvint480]

But you still need people to help build your dream home isn't it? My advice is, the Home owner should quit his/her job. Manage the Workmanship very personally. Source and buy own quality items and let a subs contractor to build and install within the home owner's supervision. After all, Renovation takes months. Tell your next employer that you have experience project management part of why your next employer should hire you.

[@Jj-mg1rc]

@@marvint480 Yes, fully agreed. That is what I did for my house. I feel I gotten so much value out of every dollars I spent.

[@miketeo4000]

You lost 7 kg because of the poor workmanship. Actually you have benefited from it by saving you the money you spend at gym.

[@zhen86]

Crazy, go gym only cost hundred + a month, this cost at least 100K. you ID?

[@IvanaOng-d6c]

I think you are missing the point. The loss of 7kg reflects the psychological stress and emotional costs from the woes of renovation

[@jarrodyuki7081]

bounties for al mym asginemtn quzizies adn exams !!!!!!!!! and handling feees for all my teidosu tassks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@slaiyfershin]

Hi Diana can you get James to release VR Man pleaaaase.

[@jarrodyuki7081]

authority onyl comes for omtoher huams ndeosntoglsiitshoud lburni nehll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ayn rand is supreme the entj!!!!!!!!!

[@jessicaregina1956]

Simple. Don't renovate.

[@lailoveredang]

Pay peanut get monkey. It’s money that get the job done satisfactory 😂.

[@huaiwei]

As if. As clearly said in the video, you can be paying a premium and still get cheated.

[@misterbig9025]

@@huaiwei 👍🏼

[@badboi888]

What a tard

[@LordBagdanoff]

No gotta be joking

[@Adam-eb8ue]

naive

[@littlepaulwee5836]

Firstly, commitment by ID professionals is over confident before they even have full knowledge of the available materials which they could utilize to complete their work . Secondly which could be one or the nightmare is the availability of their renovation sub-crontactors the could engaged. To be honest the availability of craft men that are truly capable to their specific trade in Singapore is not so abundant as we may think it is.

[@shamsham1983]

It can’t be avoided.. private sector no garmen

[@ergker2243]

3 jobs to run 🏃 Materials cost more, swapping is common. Problems with time schedules can last total costing 60% - 90% supply completion. Quarantine quotes from. Quality and quantity.20to50% imitation? 🐺 🐺 🐺 一斗米養恩人， 一石米卻養出仇人， 非但不珍惜你的好心好意， 反而覺得你給的太少。 你幫了別人十次， 人家覺得理所應當， 這意味著你已經沒有反駁的權利了。 你再拒絕，你就是惡人。 如果，你一開始就立了底線， 亮出了原則， 你偶爾幫別人一次，你就是天使， 你就是無敵大好人。這就是人性。一斗米養恩人， 一石米卻養出仇人， 非但不珍惜你的好心好意， 反而覺得你給的太少。 你幫了別人十次， 人家覺得理所應當， 這意味著你已經沒有反駁的權利了。 你再拒絕，你就是惡人。 如果，你一開始就立了底線， 亮出了原則， 你偶爾幫別人一次，你就是天使， 你就是無敵大好人。這就是人性。