Should you work with CaseTrust-accredited Renovators? (7 Ways you’re Protected)

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Working with a CaseTrust-accredited Renovation Contractor is Safer because it protects you before, during, and after renovation.

To check if a Renovator is CaseTrust-accredited, you can use this directory.

Before Renovation Starts

1. Renovators have been rigorously assessed

You're in Safer hands because all accredited Renovators undergo rigorous assessment which verifies that it has good business practices.

2. Your Deposits are Protected

Sample of 100% Deposit Guarantee Performance Bond provided by CaseTrust-accredited Renovators

'Deposit Fraud' is one of the most common scam tactics.

100% of your deposits are safeguarded by a performance bond (free for homeowners) in case of closure, winding up and/or liquidation.

The performance bond acts like an insurance. It is underwritten by NTUC Income and issued under your name.

The bond is free for homeowners. No cost will be transferred to you as there is no incremental cost for the renovator. They only pay a small annual premium to insure their entire business.

*Renovators must undergo financial assessment to be eligible

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3. Quotations are Itemised and Transparent

Prices are itemised and additional costs are stated upfront. This allows you to know exactly what you’re being charged for and compare quotations meaningfully.

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During Renovation

4. Fair Payment Schedules

A fair payment schedule helps protect you from unnecessary upfront payments and puts more power in your hands.

To protect your interests, CaseTrust-accredited Renovators are required to collect payments in milestones or phases.

5. Feedback Management & Mediation Services

There are proper systems in place to handle feedback if there are disputes regarding the home renovation project.

If you reach a deadlock with your Renovator on a dispute, you can request for mediation at CASE which accredited Renovators are required to attend.

After Renovation

6. Sufficient Workmanship Warranties

Accredited Renovators will provide a workmanship warranty for a min. period of 12 months.

You should also clarify with your Renovator on materials and carpentry warranty.

7. Withholding Payment

The payment schedule accounts for a final withholding payment only after rectifications are made – this will incentivise your renovator to complete rectification works and perform pre-handover checks promptly.

Important: While withholding payment gives you leverage over your renovator, we recommend homeowners to exercise fairness. Reciprocity plays a role – treating your renovator with respect will ensure their willingness to assist with post-sales services and future rectifications, even long after the project's completion.

The above is a TLDR summary of the 7 advantages of working with CaseTrust-accredited Renovators. Check out the nitty gritties here.

What is CaseTrust?

CaseTrust is the accreditation arm of CASE (Consumers Association of Singapore).

What is the CaseTrust accreditation for Renovation Businesses about?

The CaseTrust accreditation for Renovation Businesses scheme was launched in 2004 to raise industry standards by increasing the adoption of good consumer policies.

What does it mean for a renovator to be CaseTrust accredited?

A renovation firm that displays the CaseTrust mark underwent rigorous assessment which verified that it has good business practices and follow fair consumer policies.

Areas of assessment include the firm's policies, practices & systems, and professionalism of their staff.

Why should you work with CaseTrust accredited renovators?

Aside from passing CaseTrust’s rigorous checks for good business practices and fair consumer policies, renovators are required to follow a stringent set of criteria that includes the use of the CaseTrust Standard Renovation Contract.

In a nutshell, you’ll be protected before, during, and after renovation:

1. 100% Deposit Guarantee:

‍All of your deposits are safeguarded by a performance bond (free for homeowners) in case of closure, winding up and/or liquidation.

This is the only guarantee in the industry that secures 100% of your deposits — far surpassing the limited protection of $50,000 typically offered by other third parties and renovation platforms in Singapore.

2. Min. 12 months Warranty:

‍You will receive a workmanship warranty for a min. period of 12 months.

Defects will be rectified at the renovation firm’s own cost.

3. Withholding Payment:

‍You will only make the final payment (pre-agreed in contract) only after rectifications are made.

This incentivises your interior designer or contractor to conduct a proper handover after the renovation.

4. Transparent Pricing:

‍Your renovation quotation will itemised.

This means that pricing breakdowns and additional costs are stated clearly — reducing the likelihood of hidden costs.

5. Progressive Payments:

‍Payments are collected in fair milestones or phases. As such, you won’t have to make unnecessary upfront payments. For example, a 10% deposit upon contract signing, 30% upon commencement of renovation, 30% upon completion of masonry (wet) work, 25% a week before delivery of carpentry work, and 5% upon completion of renovation.

*Initial deposits are capped at a maximum of 25% of total cost.

6. Feedback Management & Mediation Services:

‍There are proper systems in place to handle feedback if there are disputes regarding the home renovation project.

If you reach a deadlock with your Renovator on a dispute, you can request for mediation at CASE which accredited Renovators are required to attend.

What if I don't work with a CaseTrust accredited renovator?

According to the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE), the renovation industry consistently ranks among the top 10 with the highest number of complaints.

If you choose to work with a non-CaseTrust accredited renovator, it is crucial to conduct thorough due diligence.

Without this, you may risk engaging an unreliable firm, encountering unfair contractual terms, and being left unprotected in the event of a renovation mishap.

How do I find CaseTrust-accredited renovators? How do Icheck if a renovator is genuinely CaseTrust accredited?

While CaseTrust provides a list of accredited businesses, you can also explore HomeMatch’s List of CaseTrust Accredited Renovators, where you can easily view firm profiles, past projects, customer reviews, and receive personalised recommendations for a more comprehensive comparison.

HomeMatch is the Official Marketing Partner of CaseTrust and exclusively onboards CaseTrust-accredited renovators.

Beyond that, we offer the Safest-Smartest Assurance, an additional layer of vetting that ensures all renovators have at least 4-star reviews on neutral platforms like Facebook and Google. We also individually screen each interior designer before onboarding them.

As such, we’re the only and largest database of over 1000+ Individual Profiles^(Nov'24). This gives us the ability to find you the most suitable renovators based on your budget, aesthetics, lifestyle, working style, property type, renovation timeline and misc. requirements.

If you choose to sign a contract with a renovator eligible for the Safest-Smartest Assurance, we’ll help you in vetting the contract to ensure it aligns with consumer-friendly policies.

Our service is 100% free for homeowners. You won’t have to worry about additional mark-ups when engaging with renovators through our platform.

Unlike most platforms, we do not take sales commissions. Instead, we charge renovators an upfront advertising fee, which may even be lower than their own advertising costs.

This unique approach allows us to remain a neutral party that prioritises making recommendations that are truly in your best interest.