What is the difference between a GB1 and a GB2 licence?
Both are BCA general builder's licences under the Building Control Act. A Class 1 General Builder (GB1) may undertake projects of any value. A Class 2 General Builder (GB2) is restricted to projects valued at S$6 million or less. BCA also lists different minimum paid-up capital: not less than S$300,000 for Class 1 and S$25,000 for Class 2. Both need an Approved Person and a Technical Controller, and licences are valid for up to three years.
From the RRD Field Guide, checked against the sources cited in How to Choose and Verify a Contractor in Singapore: Licences, Registration, Insurance and Red Flags. General information, not advice for your project.
The fuller picture
Check four things before you award building works in Singapore: the BCA builder's licence (Class 1 general builders have no value limit; Class 2 is limited to projects of S$6 million or less), the BCA Contractors Registration System workhead and grade, bizSAFE status, and insurance certificates. Then protect yourself with progress-linked payments, a performance bond where justified, and a programme you can monitor.
More questions on this topic
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- What insurance should a contractor have?
- How much deposit should I pay a contractor?
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