All About the Policies

It striked me to pen it down after reading the big fuss on the forum: whether is it safe to even consider using a non-HDB licensed/CaseTrusted/RADAC Accredited contractor.

Before meeting up with the contractor i've engaged, I've spoken to tons of IDs/contractors, of which some are forever selling on the point that they are HDB-licensed, CaseTrusted, RADAC Accredited.... all sorts of fanciful names that the governing body came up with. The intention of the setup was meant with gd intentions to protect the rights and interest of house owners going through renovation.

I've did my fair share of research in various forums and there were so many complains by house owners, unpleasant renovation experiences.. sub-standard workmanship.. absconded with owners' money... etc.. of which most of them can produce the numerous certification as listed above. But what happened in between?

While I'm impress by the extend these companies sell their 'credibility' through these certifications, I'm definitely one consumer that doesn't buy their story. For simple reasons like "you have to register with Case to be a member in order for Case to take up the complain"... and how often does HDB/Case/RADAC step in when things go wrong in a renovation?

From the point I see it, those who can sell by just word of mouth and reputation holds... there's no need (and they do not see the point) of going through all these applications. For those who doesn't have a strong foothold in the relevant industries, probably these certifications give them a gd point to market with.

How does this sounds:
1) "I've got this.. this ... and this cert... My price is higher but you can rest assured that the renovation is nicely done." vs
2)"I have nothing to tell u. You go to those existing houses that i'm renovating, see for yourself if you are ok with my workmanship.. then u decide from there on whether to give me the deal or not."

I'm coming from an professional industry that has lots of certifications, but we all know how standards can deviate from one to another.

At the end of the day, as long as the job is done to my satisfactory with all the legal issues settled, I couldn't care less if a contractor has got any "license issue" or "trusted or accredited". It is never my issue how he/she settles the legal part with the authorities, I'm only concern about the end product.