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HDB Registered Contractor: How the DRC Works and How to Check a Contractor
What HDB's Directory of Renovation Contractors is, how to check a contractor before hiring, what a DRC listing does and does not guarantee, and which trades need their own licence.
- HDB requires flat owners to use contractors in its Directory of Renovation Contractors (DRC) for renovation works.
- Check a contractor by name or UEN in HDB's online search before signing.
- A DRC listing is not a quality guarantee, and windows, wiring, plumbing and gas need their own licensed trades.
Homey Furnishing 3 min read An HDB registered contractor is a renovation contractor listed in HDB's Directory of Renovation Contractors, usually called the DRC. HDB's renovation control rules require flat owners to use DRC contractors for renovation works, including works that do not need a permit. Before you sign a renovation contract, check the contractor on HDB's website. It takes a minute.
What the DRC is
The DRC is HDB's list of contractors allowed to carry out renovation works in HDB flats. Only DRC contractors can apply for an HDB renovation permit, for example to hack a wall or replace floor tiles.
Owners who use a non-DRC contractor for renovation, or who break the renovation rules, can be fined up to $5,000 on conviction. Contractors who break the rules face fines and demerit points, and enough demerit points can get a contractor suspended or removed from the directory.
How to check if a contractor is HDB registered
- Go to HDB's website and open the e-service for looking up renovation contractors.
- Search by the company name or its UEN.
- The same search also covers BCA Approved Window Contractors, which you need for any window replacement.
Ask for the company's registered name and UEN on the quotation, and check that it matches the listing.
What a DRC listing does not guarantee
HDB states that it does not endorse or guarantee the quality of DRC contractors' work. Your contract is a private agreement between you and the contractor. If something goes wrong, disputes go to CASE, the Singapore Mediation Centre, the Small Claims Tribunals or the courts.
For extra protection:
- Check whether the company is CaseTrust-accredited, and look it up on CASE's Company Alert List.
- Get an itemised quote that separates hacking, debris disposal, materials and labour. Our guide to clearer repair quotes shows what to ask for.
- Pay in stages tied to completed work, not a large deposit up front.
Trades that need their own licence
Some jobs need a specialist licence on top of, or instead of, the DRC listing:
| Work | Who must do it |
|---|---|
| Window installation or replacement | BCA Approved Window Contractor |
| Electrical wiring, new power points | EMA licensed electrical worker |
| Water and sanitary pipes, WC replacement | PUB Licensed Plumber |
| Gas pipes and appliances | EMA licensed gas service worker, or City Energy for the meter |
| Air-conditioner installation | BCA-trained installer |
HDB notes that handymen may still do simple plumbing jobs. Clearing a choked sink or replacing a tap washer, for example, does not need a licensed plumber.
Renovation contractor, handyman or interior designer?
- Renovation contractor (DRC): for structural and finishing works such as hacking, tiling, toilet and kitchen renovation. HomeySG's hacking works in HDB flats are carried out by our partner V On Construction Pte. Ltd., which is listed in the DRC (UEN 201611708H).
- Interior designer: for design, layout and coordinating several trades. Many interior design firms use DRC contractors for the works. Check the firm that will hold the permit.
- Handyman: for small repairs and installations, like holes, doors, curtains, drying racks and chokes. See our handyman services, and use our handyman or interior designer checker if you are not sure which you need.
FAQ
What is an HDB registered contractor? A renovation contractor listed in HDB's Directory of Renovation Contractors (DRC). HDB requires owners to use DRC contractors for renovation works in HDB flats.
How do I check if my contractor is in the DRC? Search the company name or UEN in HDB's online contractor search. The same search covers BCA Approved Window Contractors.
Does HDB guarantee the work of a DRC contractor? No. HDB says it does not endorse or guarantee the quality of a DRC contractor's work, and the contract is between you and the contractor.
Do I need a DRC contractor for works without a permit? HDB's rules require DRC contractors for renovation works, including works that do not need a permit, such as tile overlays. Check with HDB if you are unsure whether your job counts as renovation.
What happens if I use an unregistered contractor? Owners can be fined up to $5,000 on conviction, and unauthorised works may have to be removed and the flat reinstated.
Sources: HDB Important Information on Renovations, HDB Looking for Renovation Contractors, and HDB Renovation Guidelines (Electrical, Plumbing and Gas, Window Works), checked 21 October 2026.