Pain in taking over a new HDB flat

[makapaaa]

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Coffeeshop Chit Chat - Pain in taking over a new HDB flat</TD><TD id=msgunetc noWrap align=right>

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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->MY HUSBAND and I acquired an HDB flat two months ago. We were told, as standard practice, to check for and indicate any defects within seven days of acquiring the keys or before renovation work started.
We found five minor defects initially. However, as these were rectified, more seemed to crop up each time we went back to check on the repair work. And we are disappointed with the conduct of the HDB's contractors. We found cigarette butts on our air-con ledge and the coins we placed on the floor as a ritual during the Hungry Ghost month were thrown away.
What checks does HDB carry out before it hands over the flat to owners?
I had specified that the hollow tiles be filled and the work be carried out by a parquet specialist. The HDB promised to see to it, but it was done by a foreign worker whose foreman told him only to rectify the defects. Now, our renovation plan is delayed again.
Hazel Koo (Mrs)


[email protected]

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[dysentry]

I like parquet floor.

 

[longbow]

As a world class organization with many of its top mgmt going on to top leadership role in our nation, HDB should have better QC.

They are the ones that know about QC, about how tiles should be done, how pipes should be laid, etc. After all they are the ones that set the specs. As such they should have a department of QC people that sign off on the flats before they are given to us.

If new owners (tenants) find any problems then it would be a black mark against this full time HDB employed QC person. And if the problem is common, a study should be done to determine what is the issue. Is it a spec issue or just poor quality work. At the end of the whole project, this QC report will be used to grade the contractor and future ability to get HDB contracts would depend on the QC report.

An even better approach would be for HDB to hire, from private industry, a QC team that will check the flat for problems. This would be unbias and given the scale should at most cost under $100 per flat.

There should also be a report on percentage of problems discovered by new owners after the flat is turned over.

Current system is silly because it relies on owners to make the complaints. Now to be fair, maybe only a few flats are affected with the majority having good quality. But we keep hearing about problem with tiles and one might guess that it is a common problem.

 

[singveld]

HDB are build by cheapest bidder, who hired cheapest FT by a gov who want fattest profit for themselves.

 

[longbow]

Cheapest builder within HDB specs. If they are cheap but do not meet spec then they may not be that cheap after all.

HDB has a spec and they should have serious enforcement of QC to meet that spec. They could get a third party to do an audit of flats completed.

 

[SamuelStalin]

<TABLE id=msgUN border=0 cellSpacing=3 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD id=msgUNsubj vAlign=top>

Coffeeshop Chit Chat - Pain in taking over a new HDB flat</TD><TD id=msgunetc noWrap align=right>

Subscribe </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=msgtable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="96%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=msg vAlign=top><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgbfr1 width="1%"> </TD><TD><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgF width="1%" noWrap align=right>From: </TD><TD class=msgFname width="68%" noWrap>CPL (kojakbt22) <NOBR>

</NOBR> </TD><TD class=msgDate width="30%" noWrap align=right>12:47 am </TD></TR><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgT height=20 width="1%" noWrap align=right>To: </TD><TD class=msgTname width="68%" noWrap>ALL <NOBR></NOBR></TD><TD class=msgNum noWrap align=right> (1 of 4) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgleft rowSpan=4 width="1%"> </TD><TD class=wintiny noWrap align=right>22697.1 </TD></TR><TR><TD height=8></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgtxt><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD>Gnashing pain of taking over a new HDB flat

</TD></TR><TR><TD><!-- headline one : end --></TD></TR><TR><TD><!-- show image if available --></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->MY HUSBAND and I acquired an HDB flat two months ago. We were told, as standard practice, to check for and indicate any defects within seven days of acquiring the keys or before renovation work started.
We found five minor defects initially. However, as these were rectified, more seemed to crop up each time we went back to check on the repair work. And we are disappointed with the conduct of the HDB's contractors. We found cigarette butts on our air-con ledge and the coins we placed on the floor as a ritual during the Hungry Ghost month were thrown away.
What checks does HDB carry out before it hands over the flat to owners?
I had specified that the hollow tiles be filled and the work be carried out by a parquet specialist. The HDB promised to see to it, but it was done by a foreign worker whose foreman told him only to rectify the defects. Now, our renovation plan is delayed again.
Hazel Koo (Mrs)


[email protected]

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Fuck, you are living in a goddamn flat and you want, of all things, parquet tiles? What is this shit really Chinks.

 

[SamuelStalin]

I like parquet floor.

Good for you.

 

[potato29]

An even better approach would be for HDB to hire, from private industry, a QC team that will check the flat for problems. This would be unbias and given the scale should at most cost under $100 per flat.

this will not work cause if QC team is not bias and give HDB "problems" then they will not be hired next round.

 

[Leongsam]

As a world class organization with many of its top mgmt going on to top leadership role in our nation, HDB should have better QC.

http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10296p.nsf/WPDis/About%20UsA%20Quality%20Service%20Culture?OpenDocument

<b><big>A Quality Journey</big></b> Developing a strong quality and service culture in HDB is a core focus for the organisation. Appropriate training programmes help staff develop and enhance their service delivery skills. Regular surveys such as the Customer Satisfaction Survey and Expectations & Experience Survey provided helpful feedback for staff to assess their own performance, and ensure that HDB continues to meet service expectations and standards.

Underlying this is HDB's Shared Values of Care, Learning, Innovation, Quality and Teamwork, which guide and support the quality and service efforts of staff.

With the launch of a new Vision and Mission and the HDB 2010 Plan, HDB has sealed its commitment to forge new areas of excellence, and mapped out a quality route for its staff.

<b><big>Quality Achievements</big></b> Singapore Quality Award (Special Commendation)
The Singapore Quality Award with Special Commendation, or SQA(SC), is the highest level national award that an organisation can receive in recognition of Business Excellence. Now into its second year, the prestigious award recognises past SQA winners for scaling greater heights in business excellence and for demonstrating sustainable global leadership in key business areas, products or services.

When HDB received the Singapore Quality Award in 1997, it was the first public sector and local organisation to receive Singapore's top prize for business excellence. In October 2008 HDB was the only winner of the SQA(SC), affirming HDB's position as a global leader in its industry.

2008 United Nations Public Service Award for Home Ownership Programme

HDB received the United Nations Public Service Award, or UNPSA, for its Home Ownership Programme in June 2008. The UNPSA is one of the most prestigious international awards for excellence in public service, and HDB is the only winner in the Asian region among 12 worldwide.

3-in-1 Joint Assessment for Singapore Quality Class, Singapore Innovation-Class and Singapore Service-Class
In November 2005, HDB was the first organisation in Singapore to be assessed concurrently under the new integrated assessment framework for Singapore Quality Class (SQC) renewal, Singapore Innovation-Class (I-Class) and Singapore Service-Class (S-Class). With the successful assessment, HDB was conferred the I-Class and S-Class, and had its SQC status renewed in January 2006.

Public Service Award for Organisational Excellence
This organisational excellence award conferred in July 2003 is for public organisations that have attained the Singapore Quality Class, ISO and People Developer Standard awards.

Distinguished Public Service Award for Organisational Excellence
In its drive to be customer- and performance-centred, HDB became the first public sector organisation to be conferred this award in 2000.

People Developer Standard
HDB first achieved the People Developer Standard in 1999. As Singapore's quality standard on human resource development, the People Developer Standard testifies to HDB's investment and relentless commitment in bringing out the best in our staff for better business results.

HDB will continue to scrutinise our people practices, develop our staff and improve our effectiveness in training & career development processes. With the systematic process of review provided by the People Developer Standard, HDB has applied and is successfully re-certified in the Standard in 2002 and 2005.

<b><big>Making A Great Impression</big></b>
<b><big></big></b>
HDB recognises that the hard work of staff and their dedication to quality service go a long way in creating service magic for our customers. The service tagline 'Making A Great Impression on Customers. That's M.A.G.I.C!' was launched in November 2005 to inspire staff to go the extra mile, and imbue in every HDB staff, the desired service mindset.
And these HDB service stars have made M.A.G.I.C a way of life in HDB.

“HDB officer listened, understood and acted promptly. His work is commendable.'' (The Straits Times, 20 July 2008)
MR HUI KONG LEONG: 'My appreciation to the HDB Hougang Branch Office, HDB Hub, and my MP for Aljunied GRC, Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, who resolved the problem of defective fans in the unit below mine. The fans were annoying and noisy, especially at night. I can sleep peacefully again nowadays. HDB Hougang Branch Officer Ho Lin Chin listened to my complaint, understood my plight and acted promptly. His work is commendable.'



"Ms Patricia Lim provided me with invaluable information.” (The Straits Times, 10 June 2008)
MR JAMES CHEN: 'As a first-time applicant for an HDB flat, I naturally had a couple of questions with regard to the different schemes offered by the HDB. Ms Patricia Lim, an e-sales call-centre officer, was courteous throughout and provided me with invaluable information. She even offered to keep me in the loop when the flat of my choice is launched.'
Star Commendation
“… it is not often that a public servant receives a simple letter of appreciation from a citizen-customer. Many public servants toiled stoically to meet customer expectations … It is indeed heartening to receive your words of thanks. It will go a long way to cheer up Mdm Teeu Hui and others like her…”

Mr Cedric Foo MP for West Coast GRC​

Estates Officer Teeu Hui received a National Day Recognition Award from Mr Cedric Foo, MP for West Coast GRC (Pioneer Division) in August 2008 for her excellent service rendered to Mdm Chan, a resident living in that estate. A Shining Example of Service
Mdm Chan was misled by her housing agent into selling her current flat without first securing another flat. Faced with such a dire situation, she approached HDB for help to buy an Executive flat.
Estates Officer Teeu Hui listened to Mdm’s Chan’s plight and explained to her the various housing options. If Mdm Chan wanted a new flat from HDB, she would need to wait for the regular sales exercises. Alternatively, Mdm Chan could look for a suitable flat in the open market.
A few weeks later, when the regular sales exercise was launched, Teeu Hui called Mdm Chan to find out if she managed to buy a flat as well. She also told her about the sales exercise. Mdm Chan was very grateful to Teeu Hui for her concern.



Not long after, Mdm Chan found a suitable resale flat for purchase in the open market. But there was a mismatch in the timing of the sale of her existing flat and the purchase of the resale flat. Mdm Chan once again appealed to Teeu Hui for help.



Teeu Hui, an Estates Officer from HDB’s Sales Section, went the extra mile to check with colleagues in the Resale Section, resulting in a speedy resolution within the same day. Teeu Hui’s prompt action and assistance, and her drive to go the extra mile in meeting her customer’s needs won over Mdm Chan, who was very thankful for her service.



And HDB too is proud of Teeu Hui, who has exemplified the spirit of service in HDB. She has indeed made a great impression on our customer!

 

[jimmyfallon]

Cant expect much from a housing project

 

[Equalisation]

what you expect of hdb flat? you want good quality, go and buy private property ..:o

 

[Zombie]

I had specified that the hollow tiles be filled and the work be carried out by a parquet specialist.
Hazel Koo (Mrs)

HDB has a spec and they should have serious enforcement of QC to meet that spec. They could get a third party to do an audit of flats completed.

Mrs Koo is asking for PQC ie Premium Quality Control, not just QC.

She is asking for master craftsmanship, not just workmanship.

 

[1sickpuppy II]

I also got this poor standard when I got my new flat 2 months ago. Bathroom tiles crack, window handle came off and water pipe joint crack among other minor faults. Seems it not only happens in HDB housing but also private properties.