Picking The Right Contractor

Picking the right contractor can be a daunting task. Whether you are simply getting new windows, house painted, tiles replaced or even getting your whole house renovated, finding a reliable competent contractor is always the first step to a satisfying and successful home renovation project.

Your home is one of your most valuable assets and for many it may be a dream home they’ve been waiting for. Such cases being cautious when picking the right contractor to work with is essential. Being in the similar industry myself i’ll help you list down some key points on how you can prevent hiring a bad contractor which will cost you both time & money!

Distinguishing The Bad From The Good.

What is a bad contractor? This opinion may vary but for most people a bad contractor may be one that doesn’t give much advice, ideas and suggestion on their home. However,  giving too many advice doesn’t necessarily means he is a good contractor. This is tricky if you pay close attention to all the wonderful advice and suggestion he makes to you which differs a lot from your original idea, he is probably trying to put his benefits before yours.

For some good contractors have great knowledge and experience you’d need for your home. So look out for contractors that advice you but don’t indirectly push you into making a decision. This may sound pretty ”cliché” but trust me they are so good with their words you’ll never know you’ve fallen for it.

Why Are There Bad Contractors?

Bad Contractors are the results of the increasing number of companies with the similar trade or services in Singapore. That being said, competition among these companies are growing rapidly.

Some time back, I bumped into a contractor friend of mine in the lift, i asked  — “How’s business?” He shook his head and sighed. “Business 10 years ago was easier, better and i could bring home more money at the end of the month” he said. He also added that since it’s the information age, people tend to have more than 1 – 2 companies give them quotes. Sometimes they have to compete with about 4-5 companies quote for the same service or job before they could seal the deal, he added.

With the rising competition it’s evident that many contractors will approach you rather aggressively and not get the job done properly. Not getting the job done properly can include ; Bad materials, hidden cost, using insufficient material where needed (e.g. cement under the tiles), substandard jobs and many more.

Complain such as unqualified contractors, contractors who rush work, leading to subpar quality, labour shortages which leads these contractors to hire skilled workers, so many contractors just “grab” whoever they can get, even if they are substandard to get the job done.

In 2014, Mr Ong, co-owner of a design and renovation firm, said he has encountered many inexperienced interior designers. “They call themselves designers, but are in fact salespeople. They don’t have good knowledge and their main objective is to close deals,” he said.

Ways To Avoid A Bad Contractor

Don’t fall for those enticing offers. “Best Offer” doesn’t always means “Best Deal”. You will find many contractors that advertise in newspapers, websites, email, Facebook even spamming the lift of your new BTO home. These guys can be everywhere. However, do not just go by those enticing adverts to judge the quality of the contractor’s work. It is always better to first try to get references from neighbours, friends, or co-workers who have had done renovation works in the past or had some good experience with a particular contractors in the past.

When picking the right contractor, be sure to get written estimates from at least 3 companies before considering, and ask them for an explanation of any price variations. DO NOT always go with the lowest bidder. If you notice a significant difference in the written quotes, most of the times there’ll be a hidden charge (that’ll be disclosed later in the contract, along the way) or difference in the material quality the majority of the contractors are offering. Be sure to ask your contractor to be as detailed as possible.

General vs Multiple Contractors

This really depends on the complexity, size, budget of your project when picking the right contractor. If you have the time to spare, you may choose to have a few different contractors for the job. Usually this is the cheaper more advisable way to go. As getting a general contractor to divide all your job our to subcontractor would require some “service fee” a mark up on the end price. Usually about 20% – 40% above the jobs original price. However, this process may take up more of your time as you’ll have to supervise the whole process from time to time. So if you have the time to spare & a tight budget and have multiple jobs on hand that you’d like to be done, spend some extra time to find the respective contractors for the individual job (it’ll take up more time BUT cost you much lesser).

On the flip side if you’re really busy and money is not the problem. Hiring a general contractor or an ID (Interior Designer) will be the way to go. A general contractor or an ID (Interior Designer) would help to manage all aspects of your project including the hiring of subcontractors and supervising them, scheduling inspections, and getting all the building permits that are required. The general contractor also works with designers and architects.

Specialty contractors will install very specific products such as bathroom fixtures and cabinets. Architects & IDs on the other hand are used for major renovations such as designing homes and additions. If your project is going to require structural changes, i’d recommend you to hire an id or architect that specialises in doing home remodelling.

Picking The Right Man for The Right Job

If you are working in a small specific area such as a kitchen or bath you would want a contractor that has expertise with that area. When picking a contractor you need to be careful not to be tricked into hiring a less than reputable contractor that charges you a fortune. 

Unfortunately not all contractors are on the up and up. Some signs to watch out for would be a contractor that is soliciting door-to-door, the contractor ONLY accepts cash payments, they say that they have leftover materials from their previous job, and they try to pressure you into an immediate decision. However, this does not mean that such contractors are bad or are out to cheat your hard earn money. You should just be rather careful when negotiating with them. As suggested earlier it’s highly recommended to get at least 3 different quotation before making your mind.

Alternatively If you hire an Interior Designer (ID), they provide a one-stop service but are relatively more expensive, however they are usually more trustworthy with good work ethics. These ID companies will see your project through from beginning to end. Some firms even have architects on the staff while others use specific certified designers. You may spend some time looking up for some reputable ID companies with a good past record.

Top 5 Interior Designing Firm 

Here is a list of the top 5 recommended interior designing firm. (based on the reviews and reputation over the years).

1. Story of Us – Interior Designers

2. Eight Designs – Interior Designers

3. Ciseern – Interior Designers 

4. 3D Innovations Designs – Interior Designers

5. Space Factor – Interior Designers 

Summary 

Be sure that you interview each contractor that you are considering. The more you communicate with your contractor before the job the better. Know how long they have been in business, make sure that they are registered and licensed with the HDB if you’re using them for your BTO homes, ask them for all their references, and find out the types of insurance that they carry.

You may check if your contractor is registered and licensed with HDB here.

Ask if they will be using subcontractors. This can be an important question as it can determine if you’re going to be paying slightly higher than you should as a part of their service they are providing you. 

Picking the right contractor to handle your home improvement project will help to save you a lot of headaches in the long run.

Do comment and let us know if you’d had any bad or good experience with your contractors.