Secrets of Flooring Contractors in Singapore 

When attempting to enhance your home interior design, flooring is a major consideration. With limitless design options and specificities, contractors and interior designers may deem certain information unnecessary to share with clients. In this article, we cover things your flooring contractor in Singapore may not be telling you and what you can look out for when installing new floors.

Floor Hacking 101

Many assume that a clean slate is required when installing new flooring. However, hacking old flooring is not necessary. As a matter of fact, if installed properly over a well-established old sub-flooring, your new flooring will last longer. Should your contractor or interior designer recommend the hacking of old floor tiles, consider the following: 

1. Restriction Period for Flooring

Not many homeowners are aware of the restriction period for replacing tiles in bathrooms or toilets. To retain the waterproofing membrane, especially for new BTO flats, there is a 3-year period whereby hacking of bathroom floor tiles is not recommended. This makes laminate wood flooring an ideal floor choice to have applied on top of the subfloors. 

2. The Benefits of Overlay

The cost of hacking floors in Singapore does not come cheap – costing hundreds of dollars with additional costs for the clearing of debris after hacking the floors. To avoid hacking floor tiles and keep renovation costs low, opt for vinyl flooring that can be easily overlaid on pre-existing flooring. Vinyl flooring is DIY-friendly, making this hardy and water-resistant flooring one of the most cost-effective flooring in the market today.  

Proper Flooring Installation

There are several types of flooring available, each with its own aesthetic appeal and plus points. Every professional flooring contractor in Singapore should be well-versed in the proper installation of each of these. While the actual installation process can be left to the professionals, homeowners should check for subpar materials and ensure they are getting what they are paying for. For example, if the contract states solid wood flooring, inspect that engineered wood is not being installed. Also, note that it is not all or nothing – you can work on specific rooms and not the entire house. 

Avoid Being Floored by Your Flooring Contractor 

Before looking up for HDB approved contractors on the DRC, it is crucial to decide if you would like to work with an interior designer who will oversee your entire renovation project or a contractor who only carries out specific renovation requests. When deciding on a renovation company to collaborate with, look for CaseTrust-accredited interior design firms. If you are embarking on a basic renovation and would rather not hire an interior design firm, the next best option is to engage an HDB approved contractor. 

How to Choose a Flooring Contractor in Singapore

If you are looking to only have your floors done, contractors from flooring companies can be hired. Regardless of your choice, there are several aspects you are responsible to check before making the hire: 

1. 1. Cost

A good contractor in Singapore will draw up a contract with the price, start and completion date, and payment schedule. Also, for minimal change orders, ensure that the contract stipulates exactly what is included and spells out the specificities as much as possible.  

Besides the cost of the actual flooring project, ask your flooring contractor for a valid general liability insurance and compensation insurance that will cover any property damage, injuries, and hired workers. This way, you will not have to foot the bill should any accidents occur during the project.

1. 1. Experience

Request for past or current work projects that your flooring contractor in Singapore has worked on. The Floor Gallery, for example, is very transparent about flooring projects. This transparency not only gives you a glimpse into the quality of work that you can expect for your home but also guarantees the credibility of the contractor or flooring company. 

1. 1. Always Question

A well-experienced contractor will understand the concerns of homeowners. Therefore, be sure to ask your flooring contractor for costs and other specifications before choosing the flooring for your home in Singapore. If on a budget, ask for the most practical yet affordable option or whether your floor choice will require hacking of the existing floor. 

1. Seeing Eye to Eye

Whether it be the quality of materials or expected result, the contractor or interior designer must be on the same page as you when it comes to the flooring project. Even though the contractor or interior designer is a professional in their field, it is your vision that has to come to life. Therefore, be sure to discuss your interior ideas, wants and needs, and understand that you can dismiss their ideas. 

For more renovation tips, read our previous blog here.