Check Before You Renovate

Source : TODAY, Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Radac’s here to help, but consumers should ensure contractor is accredited first

Letter from FAROK MAJEED
Chairman, Renovation and Decoration
Advisory Centre (Radac)

WE REFER to the letter “Renovation Aggravation” by Raymond Ng (April 29).





















Radac was set up by the Consumer’s Association of Singapore (Case) in 1986 to provide greater control in the renovation industry.

Recognising Radac’s importance, growth and capability, Case’s Central Committee recommended that Radac operate as an independent body not only to look after the interests of consumers at large, but also to improve the standard and quality of renovation and meet the demand of more sophisticated consumers.

In 1995, Radac was registered as an independent voluntary, non-profit consumerbased body comprising of council members from practising professionals in the real estate, construction and other industries.

Being a registration body, Radac accredits and registers qualified renovators in its Singapore National Registry of Accredited Renovators (Singaroar). These renovators are given the accreditation and recognition as Radac-accredited renovators. They are not members of Radac.

To be accredited, one must satisfy requirements like sound financial standing, technical competence and be registered for at least three years with a Housing and Development Board (HDB) licence or at least seven years for those without a HDB licence.

They are also required to be covered under the public liability insurance for a minimum sum of $200,000, to protect the interest of the accredited renovators as well as homeowners who engage them.

The list of Radac-accredited renovators is updated in our annual renovation guide — Singaroar — as well as our website at www.radac.org.sg.

As Raymond Ng pointed out, this complimentary renovation guide is distributed to new homeowners through the HDB. It can also be obtained, free of charge, from HDB branch offices, town council offices and the Radac Resource Centre.

To assist consumers in obtaining their rights and good value for money, Radac issues the Radac Standard Contract which contains contractual obligations, recommended payment terms, etc to protect consumers and renovators. This can be obtained from the Radac Resource Centre at $5 per copy. Radac-accredited renovators, as well as consumers, are strongly encouraged to use this standard contract.

Consumers should provide feedback to Radac if any accredited renovator rejects their request to use this contract.

We would like to thank Raymond Ng for his feedback and would appreciate it if he could contact our Resource Centre at 6565 9929 or email radacnet@singnet.com.sg, to provide us with more details, so we can look into the matter.

When engaging a renovator, consumers are advised to check Radac’s website to confirm the accreditation before signing any agreement and should make sure that the agreement is signed with the accredited renovator and not any of their associated firms which are not accredited and not registered in Singaroar. Radac provides mediation services should disputes arise between consumers and accredited renovators.