Singapore legislation
Section 29F
Section 29F
Who may be licensed as general builder
(1)
Subject to subsections (2), (4) and (5), a natural person who applies for a general builder’s licence is eligible to be granted such a licence if, and only if —
he or she has paid the prescribed fees for such licence;
he or she satisfies the Commissioner that he or she is a person of good character, and that he or she intends to carry on business on his or her own account;
he or she —
has completed the prescribed course of training and has the prescribed practical experience (whether in Singapore or elsewhere) in the work of a general builder or as a supervisor of general building works; or
although not having complied with the requirements of sub‑paragraph (i), satisfies the Commissioner that he or she has nevertheless had such practical experience in the work of a general builder or as a supervisor of general building works, as to render him or her, in the opinion of the Commissioner, competent to carry on the business of a general builder in Singapore; and
he or she satisfies the Commissioner that the execution and performance of any general building works in Singapore that he or she undertakes is under —
his or her personal supervision; or
the personal supervision of at least one of his or her employees, being an employee who satisfies the Commissioner that the employee has the prescribed qualifications and prescribed practical experience.
(2)
Where a natural person applies for a general builder’s licence in partnership with another natural person or other natural persons, the partnership is, subject to subsections (4) and (5), eligible to be granted such a licence if, and only if —
at least one partner satisfies the Commissioner that he or she meets the requirements of subsection (1);
the applicant satisfies the Commissioner that the management of the business of the partnership insofar it relates to general building works in Singapore is at all times under the charge and direction of a partner of the partnership who —
has the prescribed qualifications and prescribed practical experience; or
although not having the prescribed qualifications and prescribed practical experience, satisfies the Commissioner that he or she has nevertheless had such practical experience as to render him or her, in the opinion of the Commissioner, competent to manage the business of a general builder in Singapore; and
the applicant satisfies the Commissioner that the execution and performance of any general building works in Singapore undertaken by the partnership is under the personal supervision of —
at least one partner of the partnership; or
at least one of its employees, being a person employed in such a manner and with such similar duties and responsibilities as a partner,who satisfies the Commissioner that he or she has the prescribed qualifications and prescribed practical experience.
(3)
Subject to subsection (4), a corporation which applies for a general builder’s licence is eligible to be granted such a licence if, and only if —
it has paid the prescribed fees for such licence;
it is neither a company limited by guarantee nor a corporation sole;
the paid-up capital of the corporation is —
not less than $25,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) where it is applying for a Class 2 general builder’s licence; or
not less than $300,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) where it is applying for a Class 1 general builder’s licence;
it satisfies the Commissioner that it is duly authorised to carry on the business of a general builder;
(da)the corporation is accredited or registered with a prescribed professional or technical body or organisation;
it further satisfies the Commissioner that the management of the business of the corporation insofar it relates to general building works in Singapore is at all times under the charge and direction of a director of the corporation, or a member of the board of management of the corporation, or an employee (being a person employed in such a manner and with such similar duties and responsibilities of a director or member of its board of management) who —
has the prescribed qualifications and prescribed practical experience; or
although not having the prescribed qualifications and prescribed practical experience, satisfies the Commissioner that he or she has nevertheless had such practical experience as to render him or her, in the opinion of the Commissioner, competent to manage the business of a general builder in Singapore; and
the applicant satisfies the Commissioner that the execution and performance of any general building works in Singapore undertaken by the corporation is under the personal supervision of —
at least one director of the corporation or a member of its board of management; or
at least one of its employees, being a person employed in such a manner and with such similar duties and responsibilities as a director or member of its board of management,who satisfies the Commissioner that he or she has the prescribed qualifications and prescribed practical experience.
(4)
Notwithstanding subsection (1), (2) or (3), the Commissioner may require an applicant under that subsection to satisfy him or her that the applicant has sufficient material and financial resources available to enable the applicant to meet the applicant’s financial obligations as and when they become due, and may refuse to grant a licence to an applicant who fails to so satisfy the Commissioner of Building Control.
(5)
No natural person and no partnership is eligible for a Class 1 general builder’s licence.