Who’s allowed to do electrical, gas, plumbing, window and aircon work

These rules apply whether you live in an HDB flat, a condo or a landed house, and whoever you hire as your main contractor. A good contractor will already use licensed people for each trade; ask who they are.

Electrical work

Under the Electricity Act, only a licensed electrical worker, or someone working under an LEW’s supervision, may do electrical work, which includes installing, altering, adding to or replacing any part of an electrical installation. If you knowingly hire someone who isn’t allowed to, you commit an offence too. You may replace a lamp or a household fuse in your own installation yourself.

EMA’s ELISE portal says new wiring, rewiring and extensions have to be tested before the supply is turned on. Since 1 July 2023, all homes must be protected by 30mA residual current circuit breakers (RCCBs).

In an HDB flat, HDB’s rules add that all wiring must be done by an EMA-licensed electrical worker, and when new wiring or extensions are finished you apply to SP Services, through your LEW, for testing.

Gas

Under the Gas Act, only a licensed gas service worker or a registered Professional Engineer may do gas service work, which covers installing, altering, repairing or maintaining any gas installation or appliance. Employing or instructing someone unlicensed to do it is an offence.

City Energy says you can engage City Energy or a licensed gas service worker to install or alter gas pipes, and asks that the gas supply be temporarily cut off and the meter removed while renovation goes on. HDB’s own gas rules are in the kitchen guide.

Plumbing

Since 1 April 2018 it has been an offence to engage a plumber who isn’t licensed by PUB for regulated water service works (laying, altering, repairing or replacing drinking-water pipes, tanks, taps and fittings) or sanitary plumbing works (such as installing, changing or relocating toilet bowls and sanitary pipes).

PUB lists simple jobs anyone may do: replacing taps or mixers, shower hoses and heads, washing machine or dishwasher hoses, flexible hoses, the pipe between a stop valve and an instantaneous water heater, and cistern flushing parts.

Windows

By law, anyone installing a window on any building must engage a BCA approved window contractor or a builder, and “installing” includes repairing and replacing. BCA says the work must be done by a trained window installer, and the contractor must give you the completion report and submit the certificate of completion within 14 days. Replacing a safety barrier that’s built into a window needs a Professional Engineer, unless BCA’s standard designs are used. More in windows and grilles.

Air-conditioners

Only BCA-trained air-conditioning unit installers may install a unit outside a building or projecting from it. It must sit on a stainless steel bracket or a concrete ledge or casing designed for it, the installer submits an installation report within 14 days, and BCA asks owners to check the supports for corrosion or damage at least every 6 months.

Asbestos

NEA says some older buildings may still contain asbestos in corrugated roofs, ceiling boards and partition walls, and removing or demolishing them can release harmful fibres. MOM says buildings built after 1 January 1991 are unlikely to contain asbestos. Undamaged materials in good condition shouldn’t pose a hazard, but any removal or repair must be done by an asbestos-removal contractor approved by MOM, and the waste goes to a licensed toxic industrial waste collector. If you suspect asbestos in an older home, raise it before hacking starts.

SpaceToReno is run by the team behind Junk to Clear, which also handles renovations. Where a guide links to Junk to Clear or a sister site, it’s because that step calls for the service, and the sentence says so. Enquiries sent through the form go to the same team. How SpaceToReno works