Once the contractor starts hacking and the sofa is in place, checking your new flat for defects gets much harder. Here is the simple kit to bring on key collection day, what to check room by room, and how to report defects so they actually get fixed.
Key collection day feels like a finish line. You've waited years, you finally have the keys, and your first instinct is to start planning the renovation.
Before you do anything else, walk through the flat carefully. It is empty now, and it will never be this easy to inspect again.
Why check before anything else
Once the sofa's in, you can't check under it
A hollow floor tile under where the sofa will sit is easy to find in an empty room. Once the sofa, the rug and the TV console are in, it's still hollow — you just can't reach it.
After hacking, it's harder to prove what was there before
If a wall crack or a lifted tile shows up after your contractor has started work, it becomes harder to show whether it was an original defect or caused by the renovation. Checking — and photographing — before any work begins keeps the record clean.
Spotting a defect isn't the same as reporting it
A crack you mention to your contractor in passing isn't on record anywhere. Only defects that you photograph, list and formally submit are on record.
What to bring: the five-item defect kit
- A torch — shine it low along walls to reveal dents, uneven plaster and patchy paint
- A coin — tap every floor and wall tile and listen for a hollow sound
- A spirit level — check windows, door frames and countertops
- A phone charger — plug it into every socket to see that it works
- Masking tape and a marker — mark each defect where it is, then photograph it
That's it. No specialist tools, and all of it fits in a tote bag.
What to check, and how
01 · Walls and ceilings — use the torch
Hold the torch flat against the wall so the beam skims across the surface. Dents, bumps, hairline cracks and uneven paint that are invisible under ceiling lights show up immediately.
- Do every wall, including inside wardrobes and behind doors.
- Look up — ceiling cracks and water stains are easy to miss.
- Check corners where two walls meet.
02 · Floor and wall tiles — tap with a coin
A tile that is properly bonded sounds solid. A tile with a gap underneath sounds hollow or dull. Tap the centre and each corner of every tile.
- This is the check people skip most, because it's slow. Do it anyway — hollow tiles can crack or lift later.
- Look for chipped edges, uneven grout lines and tiles that sit higher than their neighbours.
03 · Windows, doors and counters — use the level
Place the level on window frames, door frames and kitchen counters.
- Open and close every window and door. Check that they latch, lock and don't stick.
- Check window seals for gaps.
- Look along the counter edge for chips.
04 · Electrical — test every socket and switch
Plug your charger into every socket and flick every switch. Note any that don't work, spark, or feel loose.
05 · Plumbing — run everything
Run every tap, hot and cold. Flush every toilet. Watch every drain to see that it clears. Check under sinks for drips.
- Leave water in the shower area for a few minutes and check that it drains toward the floor trap, not toward the door.
How to report defects properly
Is the tape in every photo?
A close-up of a crack could be anywhere. A photo with a numbered tape marker beside it — plus one wider shot of the room — makes it clear exactly where the issue is.
Did it all go in one batch?
One clear, numbered list with photos is easier to act on than ten separate reports over a month. Do your full walkthrough, then submit everything together.
Did you check before the reno started?
This matters most. Report defects before your contractor starts work, so there's no question about what was original.
The same rule applies when your furniture arrives
The logic that works on key collection day works on delivery day too. Unwrap everything while the delivery crew is still in your flat, and check before you sign.
- Frame — sit, lean and shift your weight. No creaks, no wobble.
- Surface — run a torch along every edge. No scuffs or chips.
- Legs — on a flat bit of floor. No rocking.
- Drawers and doors — open and close them. Smooth all the way.
Every Vella piece is built to order and carries a 2-year warranty against manufacturing defects — so if a defect shows up later, you're covered.
Frequently asked
- What should I bring for a BTO defect check?
- A torch, a coin for tapping tiles, a spirit level, a phone charger to test sockets, and masking tape with a marker for labelling defects.
- When should I check my BTO flat for defects?
- On key collection day or as soon after as you can, and before your contractor starts any work.
- How do I check for hollow tiles?
- Tap the centre and corners of each tile with a coin. A solid tile sounds sharp; a hollow tile sounds dull.
- How long do I have to report BTO defects?
- HDB sets a defects reporting period after key collection. Check the current details on hdb.gov.sg, since the process can change.
- Should I hire a professional defect inspector?
- Some owners do, especially for larger flats. The five-item kit covers the most common issues, and doing it yourself first helps you understand what an inspector would look for.
- What should I check when furniture is delivered?
- Unwrap it while the crew is there, and check the frame, surfaces, legs, and any drawers or doors before signing the delivery note.
