Hi neighbors! My maiden post. I must say this site is really informative! We've got the keys quite some time ago but have not started on reno yet. The following is for those who are still checking for defects/ barely started reno.. Cuz I talked to my fren who worked in the building industry, and realised we have missed out checking a lot of things! So tiring.. guess we have to go down again to do yet another check, certain contractors simply cannot be trusted. It is soooo tiring!! List of defects to look out for (not exhaustive): 1. Water seepage - check for flooded floor, damp walls after heavy rain etc. (Per my fren, use hand to feel if wall is moist, or use paper to test if floor is damp after the rain. Water seepage is VERY SERIOUS, apparently when water seepage fails HDB's QC, the wall has to be hacked away, and replaced/ grouting redone, and not simply filling the exterior. This is done before the handover of keys.. now we are all in a helpless situation.) 2. Hairline cracks on walls 3. Window grilles and doors - check for missing screws (very common defect), faulty hinges, scratched surfaces, loose magnets behind doors etc 4. Hollow tiles 5. Bathroom gradient - pour water in the wash area and checked that there is water flow towards the drain area 6. Choked basins and pipes - We dont know how to test this as we do not have water supply. Oh also check if the tap can be opened smoothly. 7. Electrical sockets and switches - make sure your 3-pin plug can fit in, no cracks etc. Actually not impt if the electrical points are to be moved. 8. SCV points and other dunno what points are not rusty/ dirty etc The more serious defects are water seepage and hairline cracks. If you want the people to take your complaints seriously, my fren's advice is to go to HDB or town council directly, not the 27B office. 27B office is managed by the main con themselves on behalf of HDB, and whether or not they report the defects to HDB eventually, we do not know. Whereas at HDB, every complaint will be recorded in black and white. Just make noise until you're happy with the rectification. And do not start renovation (if possible) till the defects have been rectified and you are satisfied. Also, if you have a good and nice renovator, can check for defects together with him before you start reno. In this way, can also prevent them from pushing the blame to HDB for the defects that they created. My two cents worth. Paiseh if the post is too lengthy!
