Finding the right interior designer for your home is a process that will necessitate some preliminary thinking and research. After all, you want to partner up with a professional who will understand your idea and elevate it to the next level.
One important question you need to ask yourself is whether you’re going to hire a professional who has an HDB interior design Singapore license. Does it matter? Does it bring any benefits to the table? The following guide will try to answer some of the most important questions when it comes to HDB licenses and finding the right home renovation professional.
HDB Licensing: Why You Have to Look for it
Looking for a licensed professional is a very important step for every HDB residential property owner. While HDB licensing isn’t a legal requirement for contractors in Singapore, it does provide potential clients with peace of mind. Here’s why.
There are many interior designers and companies specializing in Singapore home renovations. Some of them offer services that are not up to par with any standards. As a result, you may end up disappointed with the quality of execution upon the completion of the project.
Professionals who are registered with the Singapore Housing and Development Board have undergone the training needed to provide potential clients with a high quality service. In addition, they’ve been in business for at least three years. The education and the experience both work together to ensure the quality of the service.
Checking for HDB licensing is incredibly easy, which is why it has to be the first step of the process. All that you have to do is visit the HDB official website and check the name of the company. You will see the registration number, whether the company has committed any infringements in the past and whether the HDB license is currently active.
Additional information about the HDB licensing of contractors can be obtained by calling 1800-2255432.
More data about HDB licensing and interior designers can be found here and you may also want to explore the HDB renovation guidelines before moving on to interior designer selection.
How to Find a HDB Licensed Interior Designer?
Now that we’ve established the importance of the HDB licensing, it’s time to begin searching for the right Singapore interior design company.
The official website that you can use to check the licensing of an interior designer is also a great place to do your research. There, you will get a list of all licensed interior designers and contractors. Going through the list will give you some excellent ideas about contractors you could potentially partner up with in the future.
As you can see, the process is pretty straightforward. Once you have narrowed it down to a few licensed companies, you can move on to the other steps that will ensure top quality and adherence to all of your requirements.
Other Important Considerations
Knowing that the interior designer you’re talking to is the right person for the execution of your renovation project will depend on a couple of additional essentials beyond the HDB license.
If you want an interior that’s entirely in line with your vision, you should consider the following:
- Have a clear idea about what you want: if you’re not confident in your own vision, chances are that it’s going to be difficult to execute. Take some time to conceptualize the renovation before you start looking for an interior design company. Do you want something modern and minimalist? Are you drawn to a more rustic style? While a good interior designer will guide you confidently through this questions, knowing the scope of the project will make it much easier to pick a professional who has the required experience.
- Get a proposal from several HDB licensed companies: getting something in writing is great because you can take it home, do a side-by-side comparison and come to a rational decision. A good proposal should outline the scope of the work, the cost and the deadlines. It should feature a sufficient amount of detail. An offer that’s brief or ambiguous leaves a lot to be desired and it doesn’t provide the raw data you need as a client to make up your mind.
- Don’t look for the biggest bargain: even if you’re attempting to complete the home renovation on a budget, you shouldn’t opt for the most inexpensive offer. Rather, try to identify the right price to quality ratio. Cheap offers will often come with hidden expenses or inferior execution. A general rule of thumb is that if something appears too good to be true, it probably is. Prioritize honesty and open communication on behalf of the contractor. When you’re provided with information about all of the charges in advance, you can easily make up your mind about the offer and its appropriateness.
- Look for recommendations, online reviews and testimonials: the reputation of Singapore interior designers is easier to check than ever before. Look for online reviews and testimonials. These can give you a very good idea about the experiences of former clients.
Are You Ready to Get Started?
Renovating your home should be an exciting process. Don’t stress out about finding the right professional for the job – a little bit of research can help you make up your mind.
Have you completed the preliminary phase? Do you have a 100 per cent clear concept of what you want to accomplish? If so, the Home Guide team is ready to help you. Don’t hesitate to contact us today by filling out the form on the linked page. We will get back to you as soon as possible to discuss the specifics of the project and the ways in which we can ensure a renovation that will tick all of the boxes.
