8 Steps from Engaging Your Builder to Signing Your Rebuild Contract

When planning a landed home rebuild in Singapore, the journey from first engaging your builder to starting construction involves more than just design ideas and quotations.

You need to align budget, design, and regulatory approvals — all before a single brick is laid.

Here’s a 8-step roadmap that every homeowner should follow.

Step 1: Initial Consultation & Engagement

• Goal: Understand your vision, requirements, and budget.

• What Happens:

  • Site visit by builder to assess land conditions

  • Discussion of rebuild vs. A&A options

  • Review of land size, GFA potential, and URA envelope control guidelines

  
  

• Tip: Bring along:

  • Sewerage Interpretation Plan (SIP)

  • Land title documents

  • Existing building drawings (if available)

  
  

Step 2: Design Development

• Goal: Turn your ideas into workable architectural concepts.

• What Happens:

  
  

  • Appoint an architect / builder

  • Prepare preliminary layout drawings and floor plans

  • Identify M&E (Mechanical & Electrical) requirements early

  
  

• Regulatory Checkpoint: Confirm sewer line location, building setbacks, and platform levels.

Step 3: Budget Estimation & Preliminary Quotation

• Goal: Align design aspirations with budget reality.

• What Happens:

  
  

  • Builder prepares an outline specification for structure, finishes, and M&E

  • Provide a preliminary cost estimate with ±15–20% accuracy

  
  

• Tip: This is for budget alignment only — your final contract price comes later.

Step 4: Detailed Design Development

• Goal: Lock in final design to get detailed project cost breakdown.

• What Happens:

  
  

  • Finalise architectural plans (interior space planning and exterior look)

Step 5: Detailed Quotation

• Goal: Define the exact scope, specifications, and costs.

• What Happens:

  
  

  • Builder issues an itemised breakdown for structural works, finishes, and M&E

  • Clearly lists PC (Prime Cost) and PS (Provisional Sum) items

  • Proposes a payment schedule

  
  

• Tip: Always compare quotations spec-to-spec, not just total price.

Step 6: Contract Review

• Goal: Ensure all legal, financial, and technical terms are clear.

• What Happens:

  
  

  • Draft contract

  • Review:

    
    

    • Warranty period

    • Variation order procedures

    • Start & completion dates

    
    

  • Clarify site access, progress claim process, and liquidated damages (if applicable).

  
  

Step 7: Signing & Kick-Off

• Goal: Officially start your rebuild project.

• What Happens:

  
  

  • Contract is signed by both parties

  
  

Step 8: Authority Submission

• Goal: Secure regulatory approvals.

• What Happens:

  
  

  • QP submits to relevant agencies: URA, BCA, PUB, SCDF, NEA, NParks, LTA (if road works required)

  • Finalise structural, M&E, and plumbing drawings

  
  

• Typical Timeline: 3-4 months for approvals.

📌 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Should I engage a builder before or after getting designs done?

Q2: Can I change designs after getting the quotation?

Q3: How long does the engagement-to-signing process take?

Q4: Is a deposit always required upon signing?

✅ Pro Advice

Engaging a Design & Build team streamlines the process — your architect, builder, and engineers work together from Day 1, ensuring your rebuild is compliant, cost-efficient, and ready for approval.