Most of us don’t think too much about the windows in our HDB flats… until it becomes a problem. Then we might find out it’s a pricey nightmare to change them; or that the type of windows we have can make a huge difference at resale. This week, we followed a homeowner, M, and her problems with her HDB windows....
Most of us don’t think too much about the windows in our HDB flats… until it becomes a problem.
We’re a little surprised that the interior designer didn’t foresee the problem with the windows earlier; most of the time, designers and contractors are quick to identify these issues. These windows are indicated on the floor plans HDB provides; just look for windows labelled W1 or W2 – this refers to windows that are larger than normal .
“I had to install a bottom fixed panel for all my windows so that they meet the one-metre requirement. Windows with bottom fixed panels would of course cost a bit more. But given the safety issues, I was willing to adhere to HDB’s requirements and pay for more expensive windows, as well as an additional few thousand dollars for PE endorsement.”M says that “searching for a PE was not difficult, although the cost range was wide, from $3,000 to as much as $12,000.
“No one thinks highly of the requirement for PE endorsement. To me as a homeowner, I assume PE endorsement is for a professional engineer to verify and sign off for major building works; and it’s clearly difficult work that requires a few thousand dollars, equivalent of someone’s monthly salary. To use an analogy, getting PE endorsement for small changes is like paying a private specialist to check out your mild cough. You could, but it’s burning a hole in your pocket.M estimated that it would have cost a total sum of $10,000 for the new windows and for the PE endorsement; but many contractors and engineering firms still turned down the work even when she was willing to pay.
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