FLOOR AREA VARIATION IN PUBLIC FLATS, FACTORIES AND OFFICES

Dr Wang Kai Yuen asked the Minister for National Development (a) what are the allowances for floor area variation given to contractors for Housing and Development Board, HUDC and Jurong Town Corporation flats, HDB and JTC factories and other statutory board office buildings; (b) whether he will tabulate the actual floor area variations for these buildings built over the last five years, by type and by year; and (c) what are the guidelines governing the practices of construction contractors working on private sector projects.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: (a) Contractors must build in accordance with architectural dimensions subject to tolerances of measurements for building works which are spelt out in detail in the building specifications. In practice, variations are minor; and they depend on the type of materials used and method of construction. (b) The HDB and other statutory boards do not keep records of floor area variations in buildings constructed by them since construction is in accordance with actual architectural dimensions subject to the tolerances allowed in building construction. (c) There are no guidelines governing the practices of construction contractors working on private sector projects. However, the Controller of Housing allows housing developers to have a 3% margin for any shortfall in area. In the standard Sale and Purchase Agreement, the developer is required to adjust the purchase price in favour of the purchaser for any shortfall in area in excess of the 3% margin. However, the developer is not entitled to claim any adjustment in the purchase price if the actual area exceeds the contracted area.