Moving into a new home can be a joyous moment, but if it’s a BTO (build-to-order) HDB, then it also means more responsibilities ensue. Key collection is one of them, yet that’s just the beginning.
Get started on preparing for the moving into an HDB (Housing & Development Board) that you’ve been waiting for so long. You will go through a whole process of checking for defects, repairs, and renovation. Before you can think about hiring a professional moving company in Singapore.
This blog provides you with a useful checklist to prepare for the defect inspection for an effective renovation later. Read on to know when you can plan to hire removalists in Singapore for the move.
Why Must I Complete Defect Checks Before Moving Furniture In?
Before you can move into your BTO, you must clear defect checks because the HDB would need time for repairs and renovation.
Furniture Blocks Vital Inspection Sightlines
Staging heavy sofas or wardrobes against walls hides hollow tiles and hairline wall cracks from view.
HDB Contractors May Blame Your Moving Crew
If you report scratches after moving in, HDB can claim your packers caused the structural damage.
Empty Flats Speed Up Rectification Works
HDB defect crews can fix the dents in the wall, patch up the hollow walls, and paint mismatched ceilings quickly in an empty layout.
Protects New Furniture from Construction Dust
Drilling out defective tiles releases thick white dust that ruins fresh mattress fabrics.
Validates Your Official 1-Year Warranty
You must log major structural flaws during the initial 12-month Defect Liability Period safely.
These are some of the necessary changes and repairs that are default to every BTO, and you must ensure that you get them done before the move.
What Tools Do I Need For A DIY Defect Check?
Next, you can hire renovation experts or conduct a DIY defect check with simple tools and add to your renovation plans.
Bring a Bright LED Hand Torch
Flashlights help highlight hidden wall bumps and uneven paint coats that normal room lights miss.
Pack a Roll of Blue Painters Tape
Use low-tack tape to label flaws cleanly without leaving sticky residue on new window glass surfaces.
Keep a 5-Meter Measuring Tape Handy.
Verify that your window openings and room walls match the dimensions stated in your official blueprint.
Bring a Standard Phone Charging Brick
Use it as a quick tool to check if electrical current flows smoothly through every single socket.
Keep a Marker Pen to Number Flaws
Write sequential numbers on your defect tape to match your official HDB rectification report sheet.
After the defect check, you can start seeking professional moving company in Singapore. Book early for a discounted price for a move that’s weeks away.
How Do I Test The Electrical Sockets Safely?
After conducting an infrastructural check, you must also conduct a check for the electrical socket installation and its safety.
Use a Cheap Digital Socket Tester
Plug a standard three-pin socket tester into every wall point to check for proper grounding lines.
Flip Every Circuit Breaker Switch Open
Test the main DB box safety switch to ensure emergency trips function correctly during overloads.
Check for Loose Switch Faceplates
Gently wiggling plastic covers can tell you whether the switches are properly screwed onto the concrete wall.
Verify Smart Home Neutral Wire Lines
Ensure your switches contain neutral wires if you plan to install third-party smart automation.
Test USB Charging Port Speeds Directly
If your BTO came with built-in USB wall ports, plug a phone in to check for stable power delivery.
In order to carry out electrical testing, you may require assistance. Consider contacting the BSC (Building Service Centre) at your BTO estate to appoint contractors for the same.
How Do I DIY Check Hollow Floor Tiles?
When planning for a move-in with assistance from removalists in Singapore, you have to be mindful of the floor tiles, but first you need to inspect them first.
Tap Every Tile with a Tapping Rod
Use a metal tapping rod or a large coin to listen for hollow, echoing sounds across your living room.
Pay Close Attention to Edge Grout Lines
Hollow spaces usually form near the corners of tiles where bonding cement dried out too fast.
Mark Defect Spots with Bright Tape
Stick pieces of colourful painters’ tape directly on hollow tiles so contractors spot them instantly.
Check for Consistent Tiling Level Heights
To avoid trips over such uneven joints, use a spirit level for detecting them.
Tap Tiles Near Heavy Appliance Zones
Ensure areas meant for heavy washing machines are 100% solid to prevent future cracking risks.
Lastly, you need to do a thorough inspection of each tile and floor space for the smallest scratches. Mark even the tiniest cracks so that the flooring can be fixed to be pristine.
FAQs
What is the defects liability period for BTO?
The defects liability period for HDB BTOs is 1-year starting from the key collection date. The warranty coverage remains intact until the end of this period.
How to pack for moving house in Singapore?
Move things from the areas that are not used much like the storage and garage first. Then move to more relevant areas like your bedroom and kitchen.
What are the hidden costs of moving?
Some of the additional costs that you need to prepare for include surcharges, repair of any damaged products, and paying for removal and deep cleaning services.
How much do removals charge for packing?
Packing is the part of the move package which can cost somewhere between SGD 700 and 2500, depending on the goods volume.
How much is BTO defect check?
Generally, it costs 120 to 250 for every defect inspection schedule. You have to pay this amount to the HDB each time you visit your BTO for defect inspection.
In Summary
Therefore, moving into a BTO apartment will take time and intense preparation even after you get the keys. With this blog, you might have an idea of what you need to inspect and why it matters. You can put down your renovation plans early and prepare for the inspection on time.
Besides, the general timeline from inspection to complete renovation is thirty days. So, hire a reliable moving company in Singapore right as you are done finalising the improvements. Now, go ahead; you have a lot to prepare: the inspection as well as the move.
