RCMA

63 Have all your renovation terms stated explicitly in a contract to protect your interests. Honouring a verbal agreement will be difficult with your commissioned designer or contractor and putting down these clauses and conditions in black and white will help prevent future disputes. Here are some terms that should be in your contract. Payment Payment should be split up and paid in separate stages based on the progress of the project. Usually, the interior design firm or renovation company will require the homeowner to pay 30 percent upfront of the total renovation cost when the contract is signed; with the rest paid according to the progress of the project. Schedules On the contract, the renovation company or interior design firm needs to specify the schedules of the project from the commencement date to the completion date. Breach of Contract Terms If the contractor violates any terms or conditions in the contract which causes losses to the homeowner, the homeowner can claim for compensation. Warranties The contractor has to offer a guarantee for the quality of the materials being used in the renovation project, as well as a warranty for these materials for a certain time period. Rectification of Defects If there are any faults due to defective materials or poor workmanship, the contractor is liable to rectify before the handover of the project. Resolving Disputes The contract should include a mediation clause that if a dispute occurs, both parties can seek mediation from RCMA or CASE. Variations A variation clause will be useful. If the homeowner needs to make changes to the project, both parties can negotiate to agree to a reasonable deal. The workmanship and overall quality of the renovation are of special concern to the homeowner, where they place great importance on the final results and look forward to a well-designed home. However, these factors are also most likely to cause disputes between the homeowner and the renovation company. Therefore, it is important to choose a renovation company or interior designer with a good reputation. Uplifting the standards of renovation in Singapore is Singapore Renovation Contractors and Material Suppliers Association (RCMA), an association dedicated to maintaining the quality of the renovation industry. It provides a good reference for homeowners by publishing a list of renovation companies of good standing in their renovation guidebook. There are reportedly around 2,180 renovation and interior design companies in Singapore. Most of their service standards are comparable but there are still cases of poor workmanship or of companies that cut corners from time to time. To prevent such unfavourable circumstances, the homeowner should closely supervise and inspect the project during the course of a renovation . If there are defects, the homeowner should notify the renovation company immediately to resolve it, and make the progress payment only after verifying the works are satisfactory. The ultimate goal for any renovation is to achieve a practical and comfortable design. For home renovations, the homeowner needs to understand the lifestyle needs of his family members. It’s best to discuss with every member on their requirements before the renovation commences. Maximising space, especially in apartments with a small area, should be a priority. In this cosmopolitan city where land is scarce, real estate is a premium. Therefore, it is necessary to make good use of space in order not to waste any precious usable space, and to attain a practical and thoughtful home design. Discuss everything in detail with your interior designer and contractor prior to the renovation and you will be well on your way to a home that caters to your every need. Draw Up a Renovation Contract Overall Quality of the Renovation Practical & Comfortable Designs 2. 3. 4.