<p>Renovating your home in Singapore is expensive and stressful enough, but ending up with the wrong interior designer can make it a total nightmare. While most IDs are legit professionals, there are always a few bad eggs in the basket: ones who ghost their clients, delay works indefinitely, use cheaper materials without telling you, or in worst cases, <a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/contractor-disappears-after-home-owner-pays-150k-for-novena-penthouse-renovation">disappear with your deposit</a>. Not every scam is that dramatic though. Some start small before snowballing into costly disasters. So before you sign anything, here are 7 checks you should run to make sure the ID you're planning to engage isn't a scam artist.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><div class="raw-html-embed"><form action="/action_page.php">
  <h2><input type="checkbox" id="onlinefootprint" name="onlinefootprint" value="footprint">
  <label for="onlinefootprint"> 1. Check their online footprint</label><br></h2></form></div><p>One of the easiest ways to sniff out a shady ID is to check how they show up online, or if they even show up at all. While it’s not a 100% foolproof method, a legitimate ID typically has a decent online presence. Check out their socials. Are they active? Are they posting real, completed projects, or just a stream of generic 3D renders that could belong to anyone?</p><p>Also pay attention to how they interact with potential clients. If they’re ignoring comments or haven’t posted in months, it could be a sign that things aren’t going well behind the scenes, or that they’re too swamped to give your project the attention it deserves.</p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1076/1298;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/067d0101-4c3a-46fd-8ed0-b92dfcb7ce93-blob" width="1076" height="1298"></figure><p>Screengrab of H Design's Instagram portfolio</p><p>Next, dig into reviews. Don’t just rely on Google’s or Facebook’s ratings. Look deeper. Search for reviews with your specific designer’s name and head to platforms like Reddit, HardwareZone, Telegram renovation groups or use renovation platforms like ours:</p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1920/950;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/67b6daa2-9aa5-4fba-be12-7219f21aea7e-blob" width="1920" height="950"></figure><p><i>Screengrab of the reviews page for Starry Homestead at Renonation.sg&nbsp;</i></p><p>Pay attention to how the designer responds to criticism, if there’s any. A trustworthy ID won’t shy away from owning up to mistakes or explaining what happened. And if all the reviews sound oddly similar, there’s a chance they are paid or incentivised with freebies.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><div class="raw-html-embed"><form action="/action_page.php">
  <h2><input type="checkbox" id="pastprojects" name="pastprojects" value="projects">
  <label for="pastprojects"> 2. Check their past projects</label><br></h2></form></div><p>Instagram feeds and portfolios can be heavily curated, and in some scam cases, they might not even be the designer's own work. To make sure you're not being misled, ask about specific projects they’ve personally handled. Can they show you real photos of completed homes similar to yours? Better yet, can they arrange a site visit to a past project? Seeing a finished renovation in person lets you check whether the carpentry has held up, the workmanship is solid, and the layout actually works in real life. It’s one of the best ways to verify that their portfolio reflects real experience, not just borrowed aesthetics.&nbsp;</p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1059/1590;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/8258cc08-6674-4be8-9b1c-1b97ca0ba320-blob" width="1059" height="1590"></figure><p>Image: <a href="https://www.renonation.sg/professional/h-design-pte-ltd">H Design</a></p><p>It’s also worth checking if the designer has experience with the type of home you own. Renovating a 5-year-old BTO flat is very different from tackling a 40-year-old resale unit with dated wiring or sloping floors. If your ID only has cookie-cutter BTOs in their portfolio, they may not be prepared for the complications that come with older flats.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><div class="raw-html-embed"><form action="/action_page.php">
  <h2><input type="checkbox" id="transparenttheyare" name="transparenttheyare" value="transparent">
  <label for="transparenttheyare"> 3. Check how transparent they are</label><br></h2></form></div><p>A vague quote doesn’t just read lazy, it may also bring about a whole slew of hidden costs later that you didn’t anticipate for. If you are handed a brochure with attractive package pricing but no breakdown, or lump sum lines in your quotation without details on what that includes, be wary.</p><p>Reliable IDs will walk you through your quote in detail, explaining what materials will be used, what’s included or excluded, and what kind of top-ups you might expect. For example, they’ll tell you if laminate options are limited under your quotation or if soft-close hinges require a premium. They’ll break the quote down into logical components rather than lump everything together.</p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1200/1188;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/0bd57165-7cc6-4fc6-b938-b9c26ea97172-blob" width="1200" height="1188"></figure><p>Image: DBS&nbsp;</p><p>They’ll also explain the payment schedule clearly. A good sign is when payments are tied to actual work milestones, such as 10% on signing, 40% after carpentry, 30% at handover, etc. rather than huge upfront deposits. If someone’s asking for more than 30% before anything even starts, or pressuring you to sign a contract on the spot to lock in a “limited-time promo,” it’s a clear sign to stay away.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><div class="raw-html-embed"><form action="/action_page.php">
  <h2><input type="checkbox" id="theirprocess" name="theirprocess" value="process">
  <label for="theirprocess"> 4. Check their process</label><br></h2></form></div><p>One of the clearest ways to tell if you’re dealing with a legit ID, or a potentially scammy or disorganised one, is to ask them to explain their workflow. A reliable ID will have a clear process and be able to walk you through each step. A vague or evasive answer's usually a red flag that could mean they are winging it or worse, they have no plans to follow through. &nbsp;</p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1824/1216;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/2309cee7-565f-412b-8578-286ef715823d-blob" width="1824" height="1216"></figure><p>A good ID will be able to walk you through what happens after you sign. You can expect things like the deliverables you’ll receive (like 2D layout drawings, mood boards or 3D renderings—those depend on the ID form), how the design process will work, how many revisions you can expect, and how often they’ll update you during renovation. If they can’t give you straight answers, perhaps it’s time to reconsider.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p><i>&nbsp;Need a hand with ID hunting? You've come to the right place. Just fill out the form </i><a href="https://www.renonation.sg/get-free-quote"><i>here</i></a><i> and we'll connect you with up to 5 recommended interior design firms that'll fit your needs.&nbsp;</i></p></blockquote><p>&nbsp;</p><div class="raw-html-embed"><form action="/action_page.php">
  <h2><input type="checkbox" id="accreditationsholdup" name="accreditationsholdup" value="accreditations">
  <label for="accreditationsholdup"> 5. Check that their accreditations hold up</label><br></h2></form></div><p>Just because a firm’s website displays badges like CaseTrust, CaseTrust-RCMA, or HDB licensing doesn’t mean they’re legit, or that the certifications are still valid. It’s surprisingly common for shady IDs to slap on these logos to look credible, even if they’re no longer certified. Some even operate under similarly named sister companies to ride on the reputation of a properly licensed main firm. Always verify these accreditations directly through the official sources.</p><p>So, don’t just take those logos at face value. Look them up. For CaseTrust and CaseTrust-RCMA accreditations, you can search for them <a href="https://casetrustapplication.azurewebsites.net/Home/casetrustlist">here</a>&nbsp;(just type “renovation” in the search bar). For HDB-licensed contractors, check <a href="https://services2.hdb.gov.sg/webapp/BN31AWERRCMobile/BN31PListingContractor.jsp">HDB’s Directory of Renovation Contractors (DRC)</a>.</p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1920/662;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/1b76ca5e-dcc3-48a7-af26-ab786b0a4ec2-blob" width="1920" height="662"></figure><p><i>Screengrab of CaseTrust's website. What signing with a CaseTrust Accredited Renovation Contractor means for you as a homeowner&nbsp;</i></p><p>These accreditations aren’t just nice-to-haves, they do offer real protection. CaseTrust firms, for instance, are required to use a standardised contract that defines payment stages and provides a deposit performance bond. That means if the ID firm goes bust halfway through your reno, you are not left completely high and dry. <a href="https://sidac.org.sg/scheme-application/accreditation-scheme/">SIDAS accreditation</a> lets you know if an individual designer has the experience and qualifications they claim. But even then, remember that accreditations are not foolproof. Many are paid memberships, and holding them doesn’t automatically guarantee that you won’t be scammed by them.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><div class="raw-html-embed"><form action="/action_page.php">
  <h2><input type="checkbox" id="styleprofessionalism" name="styleprofessionalism" value="professionalism">
  <label for="styleprofessionalism"> 6. Check their communication style and professionalism</label><br></h2></form></div><p>How a designer behaves before you sign is often a preview of what you’ll get mid-renovation, or worse. If they’re already slow to reply, vague with answers, or constantly rescheduling meetings, that’s a warning sign. Don’t assume things will improve after you’ve paid the deposit. In fact, that’s often when the ghosting or excuses begin if you're dealing with a scammy ID.</p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1824/1216;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/a8117567-0790-4b59-863f-93eae927d36e-blob" width="1824" height="1216"></figure><p>From the first conversation, pay attention to whether they listen to your concerns, explain things clearly without jargon and follow through on what they say. If they are slipping up at this early stage, chances are they’ll do the same, or worse, once your home is under renovation.</p><p>You are not just hiring someone to design your space. You are hiring someone to manage your project, your budget, your timeline and your stress level for the next few months. Good communication and professionalism aren’t optional. They are non-negotiable.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><div class="raw-html-embed"><form action="/action_page.php">
  <h2><input type="checkbox" id="pushysales" name="pushysales" value="sales">
  <label for="pushysales"> 7. Check for pushy sales tactices</label><br></h2></form></div><p>There’s a big difference between being enthusiastic and being pushy. If an ID is rushing you to sign quickly, offering big discounts “only if you confirm today” or promising freebies, these may be tactics designed to make you commit before you’ve had time to do proper checks, which is pretty common among scam artists.&nbsp;</p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1920/1280;" src="https://d213h1b7vxzzl3.cloudfront.net/editor/be82b803-9f79-4d58-a5d8-3eb2f851ae38-blob" width="1920" height="1280"></figure><p>Another common tactic they may sometimes use is just saying “yes” to everything. If a designer is unusually agreeable, without knowing your lifestyle needs, floor plan or preferences, it usually means they are not really thinking about your project. They just want your signature. Likewise, if they hand you a beautifully rendered design in your first meeting, it’s probably a cookie-cutter concept they use on everyone.</p>

Is Your ID a Scammer? 7 Checks that Could Save Your Reno

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