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

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

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! 🚔

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 😂

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

This piece didn't address one major point, what happens when you get defrauded?

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

Rule of Thumb. I used to be a designer. 1) Don't ever trust a contractor 100%. Do your own homework.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Governance and individual integrity

some company can be so shady.