Singapore homeowner loses over S$80,000 to renovation contractor found on Carousell, work abandoned

SINGAPORE: A 32-year-old Singapore homeowner has come forward after allegedly losing more than S$80,000 to a renovation contractor who was found through the online marketplace Carousell. The homeowner, who works as a technician and declined to be named, told local reports that he had purchased a five-room resale HDB flat earlier this year and was looking for affordable renovation services.

He said the contractor advertised renovation packages online at prices significantly lower than market rates and had received generally positive reviews, which gave him confidence.

In February, the homeowner met the contractor at a tile shop, where they discussed renovation plans and signed a contract worth about S$40,000.

According to the homeowner, the contractor claimed to have been operating for over 10 years and said the company’s registration details could be found on official government websites, further reinforcing his trust.

Repeated Requests for Additional Payments

After paying a 10 per cent deposit of about S$4,000, renovation works began in March. Initially, progress appeared normal.

However, the homeowner said the contractor soon began asking for additional payments, citing unexpected issues discovered during construction.

These included claims of termite nests that needed removal, insufficient tiles that required topping up, and extra costs for cabinetry and other fittings. Each request came with assurances that the work could not proceed unless more money was paid.

Over time, the homeowner said he ended up paying more than double the original contract value, with total payments exceeding S$80,000. Despite this, progress on the renovation slowed significantly.

Work Left Incomplete and Contractor Goes Silent

After about six months, only partial work had been completed, including flooring, electrical wiring, bathroom tiling and plumbing, and installation of a washing machine water pipe in the kitchen.

Major items such as kitchen fixtures and air-conditioning installation were left unfinished.

In October, when the homeowner asked about the delays, the contractor claimed that the carpenter had been hospitalised.

Communication then became increasingly sporadic, with replies coming only once a week.

By mid-November, the contractor stopped responding entirely.

With no further updates and the renovation abandoned, the homeowner lodged a police report.

Another Victim Comes Forward

A second homeowner later told local reports that he had also engaged the same contractor.

He paid S$30,000 in May after selecting tiles, with renovation work scheduled to begin in September once tenants moved out.

However, before work even started, the contractor claimed that material quantities had been miscalculated and demanded additional payment for tiles.

By September, the homeowner had paid a total of S$72,000, yet work stopped in October after only about a quarter of the renovation was completed.

Despite sending a lawyer’s letter, the homeowner said the contractor did not respond or offer any resolution.

The Singapore Police Force confirmed that reports have been lodged and investigations are ongoing.

Part of a Wider Renovation Fraud Problem

The cases have raised concerns over renovation scams that begin with low-cost online advertising before escalating into repeated payment demands and eventual disappearance.

Similar scams earlier highlighted in local media reports in June, which detailed multiple instances of Singapore homeowners losing tens of thousands of dollars to rogue renovation contractors and unlicensed interior designers.

The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) received 962 renovation-related complaints in 2024, with losses totalling S$728,000, most involving firms without CaseTrust accreditation, underscoring persistent calls for tighter regulation of the industry.