Before your condo contractor starts work, ask the managing agent or Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) for the estate’s current renovation by-laws, application form and contractor access rules. Give them a written description of the work. If it affects a structural element, the exterior or common property, check the separate approval requirements before agreeing to a start date.
A single quote can include painting, wall removal and an external fitting. Those items can need different checks even though the contractor priced them together. Ask which documents the estate needs, whether there is a renovation deposit and how any deposit is refunded. Read BCA’s guide for condo owners.
- Mark proposed removals, additions and external changes on the plan.
- Ask the MCST for the current estate requirements for each item.
- Get the necessary professional assessment and approvals for structural changes.
- Confirm work hours, lift bookings, disposal arrangements and deposit terms before booking contractors.
Jump to a section
Give the MCST a scope it can review
Describe the work room by room. Write “remove the wall between kitchen and dining area” instead of “redo kitchen.” Include photos, marked-up plans or fitting details when relevant. Ask the contractor to flag items that touch the outside of the building, shared services or any structure. Use the same scope for the quotation and the application so changes are visible.
| Proposed work | What to check |
|---|---|
| Painting or replacement of internal cabinetry | Estate application, access and work-hour requirements |
| Removing or cutting a wall, beam, column or slab | Structural assessment and approval requirements |
| Changing external windows or adding an exterior fitting | MCST and relevant government approvals |
| Roofing a private enclosed space or filling a void | Whether the work increases gross floor area and what resolution and approvals are needed |
BCA says structural elements cannot be altered without proper assessment by a Professional Engineer and approval from the Commissioner of Building Control. Changes to external building features need approval from the MCST and relevant government agencies. For work that increases the development’s total gross floor area, BCA states that a 90% MCST resolution is required, and approvals from URA or BCA may also be needed.
Back to contents · Next section
Work through a typical quote
Imagine a family buying a resale condo wants to replace kitchen cabinets, remove a wall and add an awning over a ground-floor outdoor area. Start by sending all three items to the estate. Ask the contractor to provide a plan showing the wall and proposed awning. Confirm how to get the wall assessed and whether the awning affects the exterior or gross floor area before putting either item on the works calendar.
If the scope changes during the job, record the proposed change and check whether it needs further permission before the contractor proceeds. Keep the approved scope handy so the owner, site supervisor and managing agent can refer to the same documents.
Back to contents · Next section
Confirm access and the deposit in writing
Ask whether the estate requires a deposit, how it handles any deductions, and what triggers release. Ask separately about noisy-work hours, lift protection, delivery slots, debris removal and the sign-off process. Get the contractor to include any estate requirements in the work schedule.
For households coordinating renovations with a school term, mark the last acceptable date for noisy work and the first day the family needs to use the home. Set those dates after you know the estate’s permitted hours and any approval lead time.
Back to contents · Next section
Frequently asked questions
Can the contractor submit the forms?
Ask the managing agent who must sign and which documents the contractor can submit. Keep a copy of the approval and any conditions as the owner.
Can the contractor decide whether a wall is structural by looking at it?
If the status is uncertain, obtain the relevant plans and professional assessment before any cutting or removal. Ask the estate what it has on file and follow BCA’s guidance on alterations.
Where do I get the deposit rules?
Ask your estate for the current renovation form and by-laws. Confirm the amount, when it is due and the steps for getting it released.