Complaints against renovation contractors up due to unsatisfactory workmanship, delays

SINGAPORE – A total of 807 problems from renovation contractors were being lodged with the People Affiliation of Singapore (Scenario) in the first 50 % of the calendar year.

This was an maximize of 28 per cent from the 627 issues Case gained about the sector in the exact same interval past year, stated the affiliation in a statement on Thursday (July 28).

Scenario acquired 1,300 complaints against renovation contractors previous 12 months, up from 869 in 2020.

About two-thirds of the problems this 12 months pertain to renovation contractors failing to complete assignments on routine and unsatisfactory workmanship.

The house renovation industry been given the greatest quantity of issues in the course of this interval, adopted by the electrical and electronics, splendor and motor vehicles industries, all of which acquired a lot more issues than previous yr.

Case gained a full of 7,960 client complaints from January to June, a 9 for each cent increase from the 7,260 complaints been given for the similar time period previous calendar year.

Scenario president Melvin Yong attributed the improve to upticks in business functions and consumer transactions that have picked up considering the fact that Covid-19 limitations ended up eased.

“Case will keep on to hold a lookout for unfair techniques towards customers. In the meantime, we are operating with the authorities to further more reinforce customer security legislation in Singapore,” he stated.

In a Fb put up on Thursday, Mr Yong claimed most problems were being for delays in venture completion brought about by manpower shortages and delays in the shipment of renovation components. He reminded residence homeowners that they could also patronise CaseTrust-accredited renovation contractors for peace of mind.

A single this kind of grievance was from retiree Chow Jhok Kheng, 70, who engaged a contractor in February to renovate her kitchen for $11,900. 

Although payment was made, renovations were incomplete even soon after two months. The contractor did not give her a deadline for when the perform would be finished. 

Madam Chow reported the contractor would often hold off or end get the job done with no giving her see and the partially accomplished renovation will work still left her kitchen with exposed wires and leaking pipes. Considering that gasoline to the residence was also disconnected through the renovation time period, she could not cook at house which tremendously inconvenienced her.

Scenario officers assisted Madam Chow in negotiations with the contractor and all exceptional renovation functions was finished in May.