Why do landlord approvals delay fit-outs?
Landlords require their own submissions before work can start: plans, method statements, insurance, worker lists, deposits and permits to work, often with fixed lead times. Many reserve fire protection, fire alarm, BMS or chilled-water work for their own approved QP or nominated contractors, and restrict noisy work to nights and weekends. If these are not in the programme from the start, they appear as delays later.
From the RRD Field Guide, checked against the sources cited in Commercial Fit-Out Programmes in Singapore: Realistic Timelines and Where Delays Come From. General information, not advice for your project.
The fuller picture
A Singapore office or retail fit-out runs through design, authority approvals, landlord submissions, procurement of long-lead items, site works, testing and commissioning, fire-safety certification and handover. Delays usually come from approvals, late design changes, long-lead M&E items, landlord working-hour limits and coordination. Early landlord submissions, early procurement and a baseline critical-path programme tracked weekly are the main defences.
More questions on this topic
- How long does a commercial office fit-out take in Singapore?
- What is the critical path in a fit-out programme?
- Can I move in before the Fire Safety Certificate is issued?
- What should I ask my fit-out contractor for at the start?
- Who is responsible when a fit-out is late?
- How do design changes affect the programme?