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Renovating your home should be an exciting process. But for many Singapore homeowners over the past two years, it's turned into a costly and painful experience.
This guide outlines real scam cases, practical safety steps, and how we protects you from being the next victim.
Scam Cases in Singapore: Real Victim Stories (2023-2025)
1. "We paid 90% upfront, and they vanished."
"We paid up to 90% of our $70,000 renovation cost within the first four weeks. Then the contractor cited
financial difficulties and stopped work." - Source: Channel NewsAsia
2. "I lost $150,000 - and the contractor disappeared."
"I engaged a firm to renovate my Novena penthouse. After paying $150,000, the contractor became
completely uncontactable." - Source: Channel NewsAsia
3. "They operated under multiple names."
"Companies like Sense Construction, Werkz, and Sense Visual were all linked to the same director.
Customers didn't know they were the same firm." - Source: Channel NewsAsia
4. "I was pressured to make more payments midway."
"We were told to top up midway or the work would stop - even though earlier work wasn't done." - Source: Channel NewsAsia
5. "They switched materials without informing us."
"We paid for premium fittings but were given cheap substitutes instead." - Source: Channel NewsAsia
Red Flag Alert: If I Were an ID Out to Scam You, Here's What I'd Do
1. Tempt You with Unrealistic Promo Prices
"Full kitchen at $8,888" - but it excludes plumbing, hacking, and real finishes.
2. Rush You Into a Big Upfront Payment
"Secure this price with 50% deposit" - then delay or disappear.
3. Keep the Contract Vague
No details on brands, measurements, or material breakdown.
4. Distract You with Beautiful 3D Drawings
The 3D renders wow you, but the vague quote hides what you actually get.
5. Swap Materials Without Telling You You expect Blum; they give no-brand.
6. Use Multiple Company Names to Escape Bad Reviews
Once exposed, they restart under a new name with the same tactics.
How to Protect Yourself as a Homeowner
1. Always Verify Credentials
- Ensure the designer is HDB-licensed.
- Ask for past project photos and real client reviews.
- Cross-check their online presence.
2. Never Pay Big Upfront Sums
Avoid paying 40-60% upfront. Use a milestone-based payment plan:
Stage 1: Confirmation Deposit (10-15%) - Design planning, site measurement
Stage 2: Work Start (20-30%) - Demolition, carpentry base
Stage 3: Midpoint (30-40%) - Tiling, plumbing, carpentry
Stage 4: Pre-Handover (15-20%) - Fixtures, paint
Stage 5: Final Payment (5-10%) - After walkthrough and fixes
How Renodots Protects You
1. Verified Professionals
We work only with HDB-licensed, vetted designers.
2. Smart Matching (Not Mass Spam Leads)
We shortlist 1-2 IDs that match your needs, not 5-10 random firms.
3. Quote Review & Education
We help you spot vague terms, hidden exclusions, and unrealistic pricing.
4. Accountability
If a firm fails:
- We review evidence (quotes, chats, photos).
- Suspend or blacklist them.
We're more than a platform - we're your renovation partner.
We work only with verified and trusted renovation firms in Singapore—including well-recommended names like SHE Interior Design, The Alchemists Design, Carpenter Direct, d’Phenomenal, Todz’Terior, 9 Creation, Underrated Studio, SEDS Interior, T&T Design Artisan,
ExQsite Interior Design, Quad.R, Divine & Glitz Design Pte Ltd, and many more. These firms have been referred by real homeowners and have a proven track record of quality and reliability.
While we prioritize recommending accredited and well-established interior design firms, we also work with select designers who may not hold formal certifications but have consistently received positive feedback from homeowners. These designers have been verified through our internal due diligence process. However, we always encourage homeowners to do their own checks—review past projects, speak to former clients, and ensure they feel confident before committing. You can check the list of Singapore Interior Designers here.
Need more help with renovation planning? Check out our dedicated Singapore renovation guide for design tips, cost breakdowns, and expert advice.
Why Our Designers Don't Offer Gimmicky Packages
Most of the designers we recommend are highly referred by past homeowners. They do not offer gimmicky renovation packages or underquote to win jobs.
They aren't the cheapest - because they don't cut corners. Instead, they focus on real value:
- Quality workmanship
- Transparent costing
- Fair timelines
- No hidden upsells
These are designers who consistently deliver work their clients are proud of - and that's why we stand by them.
While some established firms may offer packages, we always advise homeowners to verify the designer’s credentials, experience, and past work—no matter how long they've been in the industry. It's the best way to ensure you're working with someone genuinely reliable.
Conclusion
Renovating smart means asking the right questions, protecting your payments, and working only with professionals who have proven trust and experience
