Beware of this contractor.

WAH SOON HUAT TRADING & DECORATION CONTRACTOR
boss is Mr Chew

He is friendly before u engage him and everything also can be done with no charge and no advance payment. however after he has complete the works with sloppy workmanship, eg overlay tiles instead of hacking (he will say that HDB do not allow overlay and you have to pay for hacking works although he does overlay), wavey tiles (water do not flow towards floor trap), patchy paint works, and many more..... (can email me to ask if you wan to know more)

The best part is when u ask him to rectify, he will shout at you and say that he only do tiling work and the other works are dne by his sub-con and he is not liable. Then he will suddenly demand for payment and threaten with lawyer letter.

He also do not co-ordinate his sub-contractors and come and go as they wish. The final price you pay is much higher than the quote he show u initially.

Hope anyone who is considering renovating be aware of this contractor. This has caused much stress in the family and wasted many leave to sort things out on our own.

Can you imagine having to paint over their sloppy work on your own?
or you having to clean up the mess that this contractor left behind?
or be shocked my the many additional items you have to pay at the end?

Btw, anyone ever complaint against a contractor? How you take action against them other than getting HDB in to comment which is like taking years for them to respond?

have you engaged in a contract/bond beforehand? it is common practice in sg to do so. coz sometimes their workers do shoddy work and you can contest it later using photographs (must have reliable witness, a lawyer or unbiased party)

U can only log a case with CASE but CASE will advise u to claim for Small Tribunal. Talking to RADAC is no use.

the company dat lpc mentioned is under the HDB registered reno constractors!!

 HDB Registered Renovation Contractors' Scheme
The HDB Registered Renovation Contractors' Scheme (RRCS) was introduced to regulate and control the activities of Registered Renovation Contractors (RRCs) when they carry out renovation works in HDB flats. This is to ensure that they do not cause damage to HDB's property or nuisance to the residents.
HDB Registered Renovation Contractors (RRCs) are required to observe and comply with the terms and conditions governing the HDB RRCs Scheme. HDB will take appropriate action against HDB RRCs who have infringed the terms of the registration scheme.


Actions Taken For Infringements

HDB introduced a Demerit Point System (DPS) for infringements of renovation and administrative rules under the HDB Registered Renovation Contractors’ Scheme (RRCS). This takes effect from 1 Oct 2006.

As it is a transparent point system, it allows the RRCs to self-regulate and maintain good performance. It also helps to remind those who have infringed some of the rules that they need to improve their performance so as not to accumulate more demerit points.

Under the HDB RRCS, the types of action taken against errant RRCs depends on the nature and severity of the infringement. Examples are given below:

• For minor infringements (e.g. replacement of floor tiles without prior approval), the fines range from $500 to $2,000 and 3 to 12 demerit points.

• For major infringements (e.g. hacking/removal of structural members), the fines range from $3,000 to $5,000 with a debarment period ranging from 3 to 5 years. For very serious cases, debarment could be indefinite.

HDB will suspend the renovation registration of an RRC who has accumulated a maximum of 24 demerit points within the 24-month period. The suspension is one year. If an RRC has accumulated more than the maximum 24 points over a 24-month period, the excess points will roll over to the next registration period. For more serious infringements, the renovation registration will be revoked even if the maximum number of demerit points has not been reached.

If there is a dispute between the flat owner and his renovation contractor on the pricing, work schedule, type and quality of the renovation works, both parties will have to resolve the matter between themselves. If they cannot settle their dispute amicably, both parties could seek assistance through the Small Claims Tribunal or seek legal redress through court proceedings.

Hi all,

Thank u for the response. I had tried to contact HDB for their assistance. They had sent a technical officer to take measurements on the floor to roof height and after many emails, eventually say that they have not violated the restriction on the screed thickness.

I even hear that contractor telling the HDB officer that he had not done much hacking.... don't really know HDB is helping flat owners or contractors. BTW that contractor is HDB registered.

I had also approached CASE, but was told that if there is no written standard on requirements, then there is no case even if the contractor has created wavy patterns to the floor tiles.... very sad...

yes. I have been working in HDB once. so I know about their practices. But this guy from HDB look suspiciously is on the side of the contractor. If I had wanted to pursue the matter, I would have lodge a CPIB case. but I was too stressed and busy during this periof to pursue.

by the way, yours is a new flat, so it is under DLP. HDB guys would mine to point out the defects.

but mine is reno contractor, they seem rather careful when dealing with them.

hi all,

was wondering if any one had any bad experiences with contractors when renovating their house?

Or ermmm... any particular contractor(s) you may have heard off and should be avoided?

Gonna do up my home soon so want see if i can get any useful advise.

Thanks all.

WAH SOON HUAT TRADING & DECORATION CONTRACTOR
boss is Mr Chew

this contractor have one of the most complains by residents... mainly for workmanship and contractual matters. he got fines n points, but just not enough to blacklist him totally yet...