BTO Defects Checklist Singapore — Every Item to Check Before Acceptance

You have one shot at submitting your BTO defects list — seven calendar days from key collection — and HDB's Building Service Centre (BSC) is rigorous about what they'll accept. Items not on the list don't get fixed by HDB; they become your problem (and often your carpenter's problem, since carpentry can't start until walls and floors are sound). This checklist is the print-and-walk version of what we wish every customer had done.

Before you arrive

Three minutes of prep saves an hour of frustration:

• Charge your phone fully. You'll take 50–80 photos.
• Bring a roll of masking tape and a permanent marker. Mark defects as you find them so they don't get missed in the photo-review later.
• Bring a small electronic device with a charger (USB or AC) to test every power point. Your phone charger works.
• Bring a marble or any small round object. Used to test floor drainage slope in wet areas — if a marble doesn't roll toward the drain, the floor isn't graded correctly.
• Block out 2.5–3 hours in your calendar. Don't bring children. Don't bring distractions.
• Open the HDB Mobile@Hub app or the e-Service portal before you arrive — you'll need to log defects via the BSC submission flow.

The room-by-room walk

We've ordered this so you're not double-walking. Start at the door, end at the door.

Entry and foyer

• Main door: opens smoothly, closes flush, locks with a single turn, peephole works
• Threshold finish: no chips or gaps where it meets the corridor floor
• Foyer floor tile: marble test (should not roll), no hollow spots, grout intact
• Foyer ceiling: no cracks, paint even, no water marks (check around the corridor side too)
• Doorbell: works from the outside

Living and dining area

• All walls: scan in sections (corner-by-corner) for cracks, paint streaks, scuffs, uneven texture
• Ceiling: scan, especially around the cornice and corners
• Floor: marble in three locations (centre, corner, near balcony) — should not roll significantly in any direction
• Every electrical point: plug-in test, flag anything that doesn't deliver power or feels loose
• Every light switch: test both ways, all fan switches included
• Balcony door (if applicable): slides freely, locks fully, weather-seal intact
• Balcony floor: marble test toward the drain (should roll toward it), no ponding

Kitchen

• Every wall and ceiling: same scan as living, with extra care around the hood/cooker area
• All tile work: tap-test for hollow tiles, run your hand across for sharp edges
• Kitchen sink: tap runs hot and cold, no leaks under the basin (open the under-sink cabinet, look for damp or water marks)
• Hood: turns on, all speeds work, no rattle
• Hob (if pre-fitted): every burner ignites
• Every kitchen power point: plug-in test
• Kitchen floor drain: marble test should roll toward the drain
• Gas point (if installed): visible cap is secure; full test happens at gas-on commissioning, not at this inspection
• Note: if HDB has pre-installed appliances (some BTO units have integrated hob/hood), these may be covered by appliance warranty rather than HDB defects. Ask at key collection.

Bathrooms (repeat for each)

• Walls and ceiling: scan for cracks, water stains, paint defects
• Tile work: tap-test every tile, run hand across for sharp edges, check grout lines
• Floor: marble test toward the drain
• Toilet bowl: flush twice, check for leaks at the base, water level refills properly, seat secure
• Wash basin: tap runs hot/cold, no leak at the wall connection, drain clears in 30 seconds, basin is sealed to the wall with silicone
• Shower head: water flows from all spray patterns, no leak at the wall connection
• Floor trap: clear water flow when you pour water, no smell coming up
• Door: closes flush against the frame, latch works, no warping
• Ventilation fan: turns on with the light switch, audibly draws air
• Mirror cabinet: hinges, door alignment, light works (if pre-fitted)

Bedrooms (repeat for each)

• Walls and ceiling: same scan
• Floor: marble test in two spots
• Door: opens smoothly, closes flush, latch and lock work
• Window: slides or opens fully, locks completely, weather-seal intact, no gaps where it meets the frame
• Every power point: plug-in test
• Every light switch: test
• Air-con fan-coil (if pre-installed): test on the remote — turns on, all modes work, no abnormal noise
• Built-in wardrobe (if BTO came with one, rare but possible): doors aligned, hinges secure, interior shelves level

Service yard and laundry area

• Floor drain: marble test toward drain
• Washing machine connection: tap delivers water, drain hose connection is secure
• Walls and ceiling: scan
• Power points: test
• Door (if applicable): closes flush
• Gate to corridor (HDB ladder gate, common in newer flats): locks both directions

Common areas and final checks

• Storeroom (if applicable): door works, light works, no damp
• Distribution box: cover closes flush, circuit labels are present (you don't need to test breakers)
• Every door key against every door — confirm you have the right number of keys
• Take one photo of each room from the doorway showing overall state (useful baseline for any later disputes)

Logging defects — the HDB-accepted format

For each defect:

• Photo with a reference (coin or masking-tape label visible in shot)
• Location (room + position — e.g. "master bedroom, north wall, 1.5m from corner")
• Description (e.g. "horizontal hairline crack approx 30cm long")
• Severity (cosmetic / functional / safety) — useful for prioritisation, not required by HDB

Submit via the HDB Self-Service Portal → Building Service Centre → submit BSC ticket. Attach all photos. Keep a copy for yourself.

What HDB will and won't fix

Will fix (file these on the defects list):

• Cracks beyond hairline cosmetic
• Paint defects beyond minor unevenness
• Non-working electrical points, light switches, fixtures
• Tile defects (hollow, cracked, sharp edges, missing grout)
• Door and window alignment issues
• Plumbing leaks
• Floor drainage problems
• Anything that prevents normal use

Won't fix (don't waste time logging):

• Minor cosmetic variation in paint shade (HDB's tolerance is generous)
• Light scuffs from move-in transport
• Personal taste items (you don't like the tile colour)
• Anything you damaged after key collection

What this has to do with carpentry

Carpentry can't start until defects are rectified — specifically, until walls and floors are final. Common cascading delays we see:

• Floor crack identified at carpentry site visit, not at defects inspection. HDB takes 2–4 weeks to rectify. Carpentry fabrication slot lost.
• Wall not square (>5mm out across the run). Sliding wardrobe panels won't track. Identified late, redesign needed.
• Electrical points relocated post-defects. Carpentry was designed around the original points; redesign costs additional fabrication time.
• Tile work redone post-handover. New floor level differs by 4-8mm. Doors and built-ins cut to wrong heights.

A thorough defects inspection at the right time saves all of these.

Where to go from here

If you're collecting keys this week or next, print this checklist and bring it. After the inspection, the next step is to start collecting carpentry quotes (don't wait for rectification to finish — get quotes in parallel, lock a fabrication slot).

WhatsApp Alan with your floor plan once you've done the inspection.

For the full timeline from key collection to move-in, see the BTO carpentry timeline guide. For pricing context, the 4-room HDB cost breakdown covers what surrounds the carpentry line item.