HDB Renovation: How to Pick a BCA-Licensed Contractor

HDB Renovation work must be done by a BCA-licensed contractor who is also registered on HDB's Directory of Renovation Contractors (DRC) — you simply can't engage an unregistered firm for the regulated works. From 1 Oct 2024, the rules got tighter under HDB's Renovation Transparency Framework, so picking the right contractor is less about who quotes lowest and more about who is properly accountable. We've watched too many owners learn this the hard way after a deposit vanishes. Here's the checklist we hand to every client before they sign.

Step 1: Verify the BCA Licence and HDB DRC

Start on the BCA directory and confirm the firm holds a valid contractor licence, then cross-check the same name on HDB's Directory of Renovation Contractors. The two registrations are different, and a licence alone doesn't let a firm do HDB renovation works. We've seen outfits show a generic licence and hope homeowners won't look closer. If the name isn't on the DRC, walk away — HDB won't approve the permit and you'll be stuck mid-process with no recourse.

Step 2: Check the CaseTrust RFPS Registration

From 1 Oct 2024, any HDB renovation contract of S$5,000 and above must be done by a CaseTrust Renovation Fee Protection Scheme (RFPS) registered contractor, so your deposit is protected if the firm fails. This is part of the same framework pushing itemised "Open Book" pricing. Ask to see the CaseTrust RFPS certificate and confirm it's current before you hand over a cent. A contractor who is vague about this is telling you everything you need to know about their paperwork.

Step 3: Demand an Itemised "Open Book" Quote

HDB's "Open Book" requirement means the quote must show each cost line — carpentry, tiling, hacking, plumbing, painting — not a single lump sum you can't question. Compare quotes line for line across contractors, because a cheap total can hide an expensive kitchen or a skipped waterproofing. We always tell clients to flag any quote that won't break down the custom wardrobes separately, since that's the line most easily inflated later. Transparency up front saves the argument halfway through.

Step 4: Know Your HDB Renovation Deposit Rules

The renovation deposit is set by HDB: S$500 for flats up to 3-room and S$1,000 for 4-room and larger, refunded after the post-reno inspection clears. Your contractor applies for the permit within 3 months of key collection (or 3 months after resale completion), and that permit lasts only 3 months from approval. Make sure the contract ties payment milestones to completed stages, not a date, so you're not paying ahead of the work. A staged schedule keeps both sides honest.

Step 5: Read the Scope Against HDB's Hard Rules

Before signing, confirm the plan respects the non-negotiables: no hacking of structural walls, beams or columns; toilets can't be shifted and their parapet walls and floor traps stay put; corridor-facing windows keep approved colour and material; the main door position doesn't move. A good contractor flags these in the drawings rather than "finding out" on site. We've found that firms who explain the constraints upfront are the ones who deliver without drama at inspection.

Step 6: Meet Them and Trust Your Gut

Finally, sit down with the team who'll actually run your job, not just the salesperson. Ask who handles the custom carpentry and whether one coordinator owns the whole flat or you'll be chasing subcontractors. Whole-home customization works best when a single accountable team designs, builds and submits the permit together, so the wardrobes, kitchen and living room read as one plan. Pick the firm that answers plainly, shows the licence without fuss, and treats your deposit like the trust it is.