Short answer: before you sign, make sure your renovation contract names the exact company you are paying, attaches an itemised scope with drawings and materials, states the full price and what is excluded, ties each payment to a milestone, sets start and completion dates, explains how variations are priced and approved, covers permits and licensed trades, and spells out the warranty, defects process and dispute resolution. CaseTrust-accredited firms use the CaseTrust Standard Renovation Contract, which covers most of this.

Why the contract matters

Most renovation disputes come down to what was, or was not, written down. CASE's homeowner guidebook advises making sure every verbal promise is documented in writing, and being explicit about details down to the placement of power points and the swing of doors. A contract is not just a formality. It is the only document that settles an argument on site.

The checklist

1. The parties

  • The full registered company name and UEN, matching the quotation, receipts and the bank account you pay into.
  • Your name and the property address.
  • If the firm says it is CaseTrust-accredited or HDB-listed, check that the contracting entity itself is accredited and listed. See our CaseTrust check guide.

2. Scope of works

  • An itemised list of every item: location, dimensions or quantities, material, finish, and brand or model where it matters.
  • Drawings attached and referred to: layout, carpentry elevations, electrical points and lighting plan.
  • Any extra charges stated upfront. CaseTrust's criteria name examples such as site preparation fees, 3D drawings and delivery charges.

3. Price and exclusions

  • The total contract sum and a clear list of what is not included (for example appliances, light fittings, curtains or debris disposal).
  • How provisional items or "subject to site measurement" lines will be priced, with rates stated.

4. Payment schedule

CASE suggests paying no more than 20% upfront and holding back 5 to 10% of the final payment until all rectification is done. Its sample schedule is: 15% on signing, 25% at commencement, 25% at the start of masonry works, 30% at the start of carpentry works and 5% after satisfactory completion. Your schedule may differ, but each payment should follow visible progress. More in our payment schedule guide.

5. Timeline

  • Start date and expected completion date.
  • Start and end dates for each major stage. CASE recommends a buffer of one to three weeks for unforeseen delays.
  • What happens if the firm runs late, and what counts as an acceptable reason for delay (for example permit approval or late owner decisions).

6. Variation orders

  • Changes must be priced and agreed in writing before the work is done. CaseTrust firms are required to do this.
  • How variations are priced (rates from the original quotation, where possible).
  • Our variation orders guide explains why this clause matters.

7. Permits, rules and licensed trades

  • Who applies for permits. For HDB flats, the contractor submits the renovation application with the floor plan, and must be listed in HDB's Directory of Renovation Contractors. For condos, who handles the MCST application and deposit.
  • Electrical work by an EMA licensed electrical worker, plumbing by a PUB licensed plumber, and window works by a BCA Approved Window Contractor.
  • Who is responsible for debris removal and protection of common areas.

8. Warranty and defects

  • A workmanship warranty period and when it starts. CaseTrust firms give 12 months from completion. CASE notes that most renovation contracts include a 12-month defect liability period.
  • What is excluded. CASE's guidebook lists typical exclusions: natural characteristics such as veins in marble, reasonable variations from showroom samples, and works using materials you supplied yourself.
  • How to report defects and how quickly the firm will respond.

9. Deposit protection and cancellation

  • How your deposit is protected if the firm closes. CaseTrust firms must carry a deposit performance bond.
  • The terms for any deposit if the contract is cancelled, which CaseTrust firms must state clearly.

10. Dispute resolution

  • The steps to follow if you disagree: written notice, a meeting, then mediation.
  • CaseTrust firms must attend mediation at CASE if you request it.
  • For smaller claims, the Small Claims Tribunals hear claims up to $30,000, and common disputes include those over goods and services. Check the Judiciary's website for eligibility.

11. Handover

  • The documents you will receive: completion certificate, warranty cards, user manuals and after-sales contacts, as CASE recommends.
  • A joint final inspection before the last payment.

Red flags in a renovation contract

  • Blank spaces, or a scope that says "as discussed".
  • Lump-sum lines such as "carpentry works" with no sizes or materials.
  • Payment by date rather than by completed work.
  • No warranty, or a warranty that excludes almost everything.
  • A contracting company different from the one on the quotation.

How JIAHOME fits

A contract is only as clear as the scope behind it. We design your home first for a fixed fee, then give you a quotation that lists every item without prices, so the contractor you choose prices a scope you have already seen in 2D and 3D. See how to compare renovation quotations or our services.

*This article is general information, not legal advice. Read your contract carefully and seek professional advice if you are unsure.*

Last updated 14 October 2026