The firm you choose matters more than the style you pick. Great firms make average budgets look expensive; poor ones do the opposite. Here's a practical vetting process.
1. Vet the portfolio, not the showroom
Look for completed projects similar to yours in property type and budget — a firm brilliant at $150k condos may struggle to make $40k sing. Ask to see photos of real handovers, not just 3D renders.
2. Check credentials and reviews
Confirm HDB registration (for flats), years in business, and review patterns across platforms. One bad review means little; recurring themes — delays, surprise costs, vanishing project managers — mean everything.
3. Compare quotes properly
Give every firm the same written brief and compare line items, not totals. A lower total often hides exclusions: electrical points, plumbing relocation, disposal, and "provisional sums" that balloon later.
4. Watch for red flags
- Pressure to sign on the first meeting or "today-only" discounts
- Deposits above 20% before any drawings
- No itemised quotation or vague scope descriptions
- Reluctance to put timelines and penalties in writing
5. Get the contract right
Payment schedules should track milestones (typically 10-40-40-10), with the final tranche only after defects are rectified. Confirm warranty terms — 12 months on workmanship is standard.
Want a shortcut? Tell us your brief and we'll connect you with firms already vetted for your budget, property type and style — free, no obligation.