SINGAPORE (EDGEPROP) - The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) has developed a new banding system for the Construction Quality Assessment System (CONQUAS) to help homebuyers better discern the performance of developers and builders based on their track record of private residential projects for the past six years.

Developers, builders, and private residential projects will be rated on a scale of Band 1 (very low incidence1 of major defects) to Band 6 (higher incidence of major defects) under the new CONQUAS banding system.

According to Neo Choon Keong, Deputy CEO of industry development at BCA, the new CONQUAS banding system builds on the existing CONQUAS framework to offer a more accurate assessment of the quality performance of developers and builders based on their track record.

CONQUAS assesses the quality of building projects at the point of inspection. The assessment is based on a sampling of units in a project. It focuses on testing for major defects that could compromise functionality or impact liveability, for instance, inter-floor water seepage, wall tiles popping off or shattered glass. Past data shows that for Band 1 projects, only 0.6 per 1,000 dwelling units had major defects.

The CONQUAS scheme was established in 1989 by BCA to provide the built environment with a standard assessment framework for construction workmanship quality. According to BCA, the sector's quality standard has improved from an industry average equivalent to a Band 4 to a Band 2 equivalent in 2022.

BCA adds that it has seen a 25% reduction in major defect types of non-compliances relating to inter-floor water seepage and proper internal wall tiles installation for inspections from 2013 to 2022, compared to the inspections from 2003 to 2012.

Firms that consistently deliver projects with no major defects will fall in either Bands 1 or 2. Currently, 20 developers and 15 builders have been accorded Band 1, including City Developments Limited (CDL) and Woh Hup (Private) Limited, both of which have achieved the BCA Quality Excellence Award for 10 consecutive years since the award's inception in 2013. According to BCA, they have consistently developed 'Band 1' private housing projects together.

Chia Ngiang Hong, group general manager of CDL, says that the property developer has been using an integrated digital quality management framework that "unites builders and customers on a single mobile app platform for effective issues management" since 2015. "CDL will continue to work closely with project partners to achieve quality excellence under the new CONQUAS banding system," says Chia.

According to Selvamani Murugappan, director of QA/QC of Woh Hup, "the CONQUAS banding system will allow homebuyers to differentiate top quality builders and homes from the rest easily".

Hence, BCA's Neo says homebuyers are encouraged to conduct thorough research using the Quality Housing Portal and CONQUAS banding system before purchasing a property.