Contractors: What are their liscencing requirements?
Photo by Killian Eon
Remember to use a professional if you are in doubt.
BCA: The Building and Construction Authority
All builders carrying out building works where plans are required to be approved by the Commissioner of Building Control and builders who work in specialist areas that have a high impact on public safety will require a Builder’s Licence. The requirement applies to both public and private construction projects. For more information: https://www.bca.gov.sg/
HDB: The Housing & Development Board
The Housing & Development (Renovation Control) Rules 2006 require flat owners to only use an HDB Registered Renovation Contractor to carry out renovation in an HDB flat. For more information: https://www.hdb.gov.sg/cs/infoweb/homepage
LEW- Licensed Electrical Worker
An electrician's license entitles the holder to carry out the following electrical work:
(a)design, install, repair, maintain, operate, inspect, and test an electrical / supply installation where the operating voltage of such installation does not exceed 1000 volts and the approved load of such installation does not exceed 45 kVA;
(b)install, repair, maintain, and operate, under the supervision of an electrical technician, an electrical/supply installation where the operating voltage of such installation does not exceed 1000 volts and the approved load of such installation is more than 45 kVA but does not exceed 500 kVA; and
(c)carry out any work as instructed by or under the supervision of an authorised high-voltage switching engineer.
For more information: https://elise.ema.gov.sg/eguides/HFAEIL_10.pdf
Cable Detection Work Licence
To minimise damages to electricity cables, it is a mandatory requirement to perform cable detection work prior to the commencement of any earthworks. Cable detection work must be carried out by a licensed cable detection worker.
Gas Service Worker Licence
The holder of a gas service worker license is permitted to construct, fix, alter, repair, and renew gas pipes and fittings, to install, maintain, repair, and test gas appliances and to install or remove gas meters, and to turn on the gas supply on behalf of a gas licensee where the operating pressure is not more than 30 mbars.
A holder of gas service worker license (Restricted) is only permitted to install, maintain, repair, and test gas appliances and to install or remove gas meters, and turn on the gas supply on behalf of a gas licensee where the operating pressure is not more than 30 mbars.
PUB: Water Service Plumber
Water service plumbing work refers to the laying, installation, alteration, repair, or replacement of water pipes, tanks, taps, and fittings in the drinking water supply system, for the conveyance of drinking water.
Sanitary plumbing work, on the other hand, deals with sanitary discharge pipes and sanitary appliances (water closet or WC, urinal, sink, etc), such as installing, changing, or relocating toilet bowls and sanitary piping systems, for carrying used water from the premise/building to the used water system.
ACRA: The Accounting and Corporate Authority
ACRA is the national regulator of business entities and public accountants in Singapore. ACRA also plays the role of a facilitator for the development of business entities and the public accountancy profession.
The mission of ACRA is to provide a responsive and trusted regulatory environment for businesses and public accountants. If need to check the company's details ask for their ACRA number, there are basic details available through the link below. If you need more details you can purchase them from Bizfile.
To check a company, use this link:
MCST: Management Corporation Strata Title
MCSTs normally comprise a Management Council and often, a Managing Agent. The Managing Agent is a contractor of the Management Council to handles the day-to-day tasks of the estate.
1) Maintaining good security
2) Upkeeping communal facilities.
3) Regulating the rules of the estate
Use this information to help get a quality contractor. Always make sure that the contractor that is doing the work has the qualifications to do the work. By doing this you can have peace of mind that the job has been done correctly.
