There is nothing like a good renovation for a home sweet home, but as one owner in Singapore knows all too well, there is also nothing like shoddy work that can turn it into an expensive, leaky nightmare.
The "improvements" to the family home resulted in defects that led to more pain and a legal battle for the unfortunate owner.
The man had agreed to a quote of about $80,000 for the renovation, but he was upset with the contractor's "substandard workmanship" because a significant portion of the floor and carpentry work had to be either redone or rectified.
To add to his woes, water leaked from the common bathroom on the upper floor to the bathroom below.
The horrified owner engaged an independent party to do water ponding tests, and all three bathrooms in the house failed the test.
Not surprisingly, the owner, who had already paid $60,000 when the work was in progress, refused to settle the remaining sum.
When the contractor sued him for the $20,000, the owner counterclaimed for compensation for the significant work needed to fix the flaws.
The owner won his case in the Magistrate's Court and did not have to pay the balance because the contractor failed to show that it had completed the project. The court also ruled that the company had to compensate the owner for about $12,000 in repairs.
The contractor challenged the ruling but its application was dismissed by the High Court because it could not provide the grounds needed for the appeal, such as by showing why the initial finding was wrong.
High Court Judge Mohamed Faizal noted that the Consumers Association of Singapore has been advising consumers to avoid large upfront pre-payments in renovation contracts and that they should instead pay progressively as each stage of the work is completed.
But who decides when a particular stage of work has been completed? This leaves the door open for contractors to demand the next payment.
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin September 15, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Straits Times dergisinin September 15, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
SCCCI marks 60th anniversary of its iconic building with exhibition, $1.2m donation
At 14, he constructed a three-dimensional model of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) building without floor plans or architectural drawings.
Residents of Sunset Way estate, Clementi condo get new 1.2km road
For as long as he has lived in Clementi Street 12, Sunset Way has been Mr Chan Jun Xiong's only road home.
Community lawn, movable platforms| proposed at former railway station
URA studying suggestions that are part of winning proposal in competition
Disputed elections becoming a global phenomenon, report finds
Voter turnout is diminishing around the world and the results of elections are increasingly being questioned, a report on the state of democracy said on Sept 17.
UN chief condemns 'collective punishment' of Palestinians
He describes the suffering in Gaza as unimaginable but is hopeful of a ceasefire
Climate change set to worsen malnutrition crisis among children
Malnutrition is the world's worst child health crisis and climate change will only make things more severe, according to philanthropist Bill Gates.
More in S-E Asia focused on livelihoods over climate
Geopolitics driving region's concerns with food security, inflation: Researcher
Thai Cabinet approves $5.66b cash handout to help revive economy
Thailand's Cabinet approved a cash handout plan totalling 145.6 billion baht (S$5.66 billion) that will benefit millions of poor people and help stimulate South-east Asia's second-largest economy.
Singaporeans stay indoors to avoid worst of typhoon
They saw fallen trees, experienced power outages and had to cancel plans, but Singaporeans in Shanghai managed to keep themselves safe by staying indoors as Typhoon Bebinca raged outside.
Shanghai cleans up after strongest storm in decades
Emergency crew has to clear some 1,800 felled trees, restore power to 30,000 homes