We're Wong Lye — a BCA General Builder Class 2 licensed contractor based in Singapore. We build, rebuild, and structurally modify landed homes. That means Addition & Alteration (A&A) works, full reconstructions, structural changes, piling, and everything that requires BCA and URA submissions. We have an in-house architect and Qualified Person (QP), so when you work with us, the structural engineering, regulatory submissions, and the build itself all happen under one roof.

How we ended up building landed homes (and why we're selective about it)

We didn't start as a residential builder. We began in 2011 as a logistics company. In 2014, we needed warehouse racking for our own operations and couldn't find a contractor we trusted to do it properly — so we built it ourselves. Neighbours noticed the work. Then their neighbours did. Within a few years, we'd completed over 1,500 commercial and industrial projects: warehouses, factories, mezzanines, structural platforms, metal fabrication.

Our commercial clients started asking: "Can you do my house?" We said yes — but carefully. Landed residential work is a different animal. The tolerances are tighter. The expectations are personal. You're not building a factory floor; you're building someone's home. We took on projects where our structural experience mattered: rebuilds with complex foundation issues, A&A jobs that involved removing load-bearing walls, houses on sloped sites that needed serious piling work.

Today, we work exclusively on landed properties in Singapore. We don't do HDB flats or condos (that's a different licensing scope). And we're deliberately selective. If a project doesn't align with what we do well — heavy structural work, complex submissions, technically challenging builds — we'll say so upfront.

What "BCA General Builder Class 2" actually means

In Singapore, if you're doing structural building work, you need a BCA licence. The class determines the scope and contract value you're allowed to handle. We hold a General Builder Class 2 licence, which allows us to undertake building projects without the contract value cap that applies to lower classes.

This matters because landed reconstructions and major A&A works often exceed $6 million in scope once you factor in piling, structural steel, architectural finishes, M&E (mechanical and electrical), and the full build timeline. A builder with a Class 3 or lower licence legally cannot take on that scale of work.

Beyond the licence, we maintain our own in-house QP and architect. That means when we submit structural plans to BCA or lodge A&A applications with URA, we're not coordinating with three separate parties. The person designing your structure and the person certifying it for regulatory approval works directly with our build team. Fewer handoffs. Fewer surprises.

The kind of landed projects we handle

Our core work falls into a few categories, all of them structurally intensive:

Full reconstructions and rebuilds

This is where you demolish most or all of an existing landed house and build new. It usually involves piling (especially if the original house was built decades ago on shallow foundations), new structural frames, full BCA submissions, and often a complete re-design to maximise allowable plot ratio and site coverage.

We've handled rebuilds on sloped terrain, on sites with poor soil conditions, and on narrow plots where every metre of setback and every load-bearing column position matters. These projects typically run 12–18 months depending on design complexity and authority approval timelines.

Addition & Alteration (A&A) works

A&A covers everything from adding a new storey, extending sideways (if setbacks allow), to major internal reconfigurations that affect structural walls. The regulatory side is often more complex than people expect. You can't just remove a wall because it's inconvenient. If it's load-bearing, you need a structural engineer's assessment, replacement support (steel beams, columns, or transfer structures), and submittal to BCA.

We see a lot of "my neighbour did this, so I assumed I could too" situations. But your neighbour's house might be on a different plot with different zoning, different original approved plans, or — in some cases — unapproved works that simply haven't been caught yet. We always verify what's allowed on your specific property before quoting.

Structural works and reinforcement

Sometimes the ask isn't a full rebuild — it's fixing or upgrading what's there. We've reinforced aging structural frames, replaced corroded steel columns, underpinned foundations that were sinking, and installed new load-bearing beams to open up interior spaces.

This kind of work requires careful assessment. You can't guess. We bring in our QP early to inspect, calculate loads, and design the fix properly. Then we execute it with the same crew that's done this on commercial builds where tolerances are strict and failure isn't an option.

Piling and substructure

Landed homes in Singapore often require piling, especially if you're building on reclaimed land, clay-heavy soil, or sloped sites. We handle bored piling, driven piling, and micropiling depending on soil conditions and structural loads. Piling isn't optional if the soil can't support the building — and it's not something you want done cheaply or incorrectly. Foundation failure is catastrophic and expensive to fix after the fact.

Metal fabrication and structural steel

Our background in industrial builds means we fabricate and install structural steel in-house: beams, columns, staircases, mezzanines, cantilevered features. If your A&A or rebuild involves steel structure (and many do, especially for large spans or modern open-plan designs), we're not outsourcing that to a third-party fabricator. We control quality from workshop to installation.

Solar installations

We also install solar systems on landed homes, typically roof-mounted. This involves structural assessment (your roof needs to handle the additional load), electrical coordination, and integration with the build if it's part of a new construction or A&A project. Solar isn't our primary business, but it's a natural extension when we're already managing the structure and the roof build.

What we don't do (and who to call instead)

We don't do interior finishes, kitchen hacking, or cosmetic renovations. If your project is primarily about retiling, repainting, built-in carpentry, or hacking non-structural walls for an interior refresh, you want a renovation contractor, not a builder.

Our sister company is Larry Contractors (contractors.com.sg), which holds an HDB-licensed renovation scope. If your project doesn't involve structural changes, piling, or BCA submissions, they're a better fit.

We also don't work on HDB flats or condominiums. Our licence and expertise are tailored to landed residential and commercial/industrial buildings.

How we handle URA and BCA submissions

One of the most common pain points we hear from homeowners is the regulatory maze. URA governs planning (what you're allowed to build, setbacks, plot ratio, site coverage). BCA governs building safety and structural integrity (plans, inspections, compliance). Some projects need approval from both. Some only need one. It depends on the scope.

Because we have an in-house architect and QP, we manage this process as part of the build. We don't hand you a set of drawings and say "go get this approved yourself." We prepare the submissions, liaise with the authorities, respond to queries, and make sure what's approved is actually what gets built. If there are changes during construction (and there often are), we handle the amendment submissions.

This isn't a separate service we charge extra for. It's built into how we work, because we've seen what happens when the design, approval, and build are disconnected. Drawings that can't be built. Approvals that don't match site conditions. Contractors who assume something is allowed because it looks reasonable. We don't operate that way.

Why we're selective about projects (and why that's better for you)

We don't take on every project that comes through. If your job is primarily cosmetic, or if the scope doesn't require structural expertise, we'll tell you honestly — and we'll point you toward a contractor who's better suited.

We also don't bid on price alone. If you're collecting five quotes and going with the cheapest, we're probably not going to be that cheapest quote. Our value is in accuracy, in regulatory fluency, in structural problem-solving, and in a build process where the architect, engineer, and builder are actually talking to each other daily.

The projects we take on tend to be technically challenging: awkward sites, complex structural changes, rebuilds with foundation unknowns, clients who've been told "that's not possible" by someone else. If that describes your situation, we're worth a conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to be BCA-licensed to build a landed house in Singapore?

Yes. Any structural building work in Singapore requires a BCA-licensed builder. The class of licence determines the contract value and scope the builder is allowed to handle. For major A&A works and reconstructions, you'll want a General Builder with at least a Class 2 licence. Don't assume someone is licensed just because they have a business registration — ask for the BCA licence number and verify it.

Can you handle both the design and the build?

Yes. We have an in-house architect and Qualified Person (QP), so we manage the design, structural engineering, regulatory submissions, and construction all under one roof. You're not coordinating between separate design and build teams. This speeds up timelines, reduces miscommunication, and means changes can be assessed and adapted in real time.

How long does a typical landed reconstruction take?

For a full rebuild, expect 12–18 months from design to completion, depending on the complexity of the structure, site conditions, and authority approval timelines. A&A projects vary — some take 6–9 months, others longer if there's significant structural work or if approvals require multiple iterations. We give a realistic timeline upfront based on the specific scope, not a generic estimate.

What's the difference between a builder and a renovation contractor?

A builder handles structural work: foundations, load-bearing walls, piling, structural frames, major A&A that affects the building's integrity. A renovation contractor handles finishes, hacking of non-structural walls, tiling, carpentry, painting. If your project involves removing or adding structure, you need a builder. If it's cosmetic or interior layout changes that don't touch structural elements, a renovation contractor is appropriate. We're builders. Our sister company, Larry Contractors, does renovation.

Do you work outside of landed properties?

We work on landed residential properties and commercial/industrial buildings. We don't do HDB flats or condominiums — that's a different regulatory and building scope. If your project is a factory, warehouse, or landed home, we're equipped for it. If it's an apartment, we're not the right fit.

If you're planning a landed rebuild, A&A, or structural project and want to talk through what's actually feasible on your site — and what it takes to do it properly — reach out. We'll tell you honestly whether we're the right builder for your job. WhatsApp us here.