Deciding whether to sign up for the Housing & Development Board (HDB) Optional Component Scheme (OCS) is an important consideration for many new homeowners in Singapore.

The OCS offers a variety of pre-installed components to make moving into a new HDB flat more convenient and cost-effective. If you’re thinking of signing up for the OCS, it’s crucial to understand the scheme in detail before making a decision.

In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of the OCS, factors to consider before opting in, and alternatives to help you make an informed choice.

What is the HDB Optional Component Scheme (OCS)?

The HDB Optional Component Scheme (OCS) provides new flat buyers with the option to have certain fittings and finishes installed in their homes before they move in. These components typically include flooring, sanitary fittings, internal doors, and sometimes even kitchen cabinets.

Flooring

With flooring, buyers can choose to purchase flooring from HDB which will be then pre-installed in the flat. This eliminates the need for homeowners to engage external contractors for flooring work, saving time and reducing the hassle of coordinating with multiple parties.

Sanitary Fittings

Sanitary fittings offered under the OCS include items like bathroom fixtures, sinks, and toilet bowls.

These fittings are selected for their durability and quality, ensuring that homeowners have reliable and aesthetically pleasing options. Having these essentials pre-installed means that new homeowners don’t need to worry about the initial plumbing work, which can often be a complex and time-consuming process.

Internal Doors

The scheme also provides options for internal doors, including bedroom and bathroom doors. These doors are designed to match the overall aesthetic of the flat and are installed before homeowners move in. This ensures that the basic structure of the home is complete, providing privacy and functionality from day one.

Kitchen Cabinets

In some cases, the OCS also includes kitchen cabinets.

These are custom-fitted to the kitchen layout of the flat and are designed to maximize space and efficiency. Pre-installing kitchen cabinets allows homeowners to start using their kitchen immediately without the need for extensive renovations.

All in all, the primary aim of the OCS is to offer convenience and potential cost savings to new homeowners. By providing essential components that are ready upon move-in, the scheme reduces the amount of time and effort needed to make the flat livable.

This is particularly beneficial for first-time homeowners or those with busy schedules who might find it challenging to manage renovation projects.

Additionally, the bulk procurement of these components by HDB often leads to cost savings. Since HDB can negotiate better prices for materials and labor due to the volume of work, these savings are passed on to the homeowners. This can make the overall cost of setting up a new home more affordable compared to sourcing and installing these components independently.

How does the OCS work?

When you attend your flat booking appointment, you will have a choice to opt in for the OCS.

If you do not opt in, note that you will not be able to opt in at a later date. This is because the building contractor is likely to have ordered the specific quantities of tiles and other materials needed for production.

There are different options when it comes to OCS, depending on the size of your flat.

If you’re purchasing a 3-room, 4-room or 5-room flat, you will be able to choose between these two options:

• Buying the flooring for your bedroom and living spaces (HDB generally provides vinyl floor strips in bedrooms and polished porcelain tiles in living spaces. You’ll be able to look at the actual flooring and tile samples at HDB Hub.)
• Buying internal doors and sanitary fittings (Sanitary fittings include a wall-mounted wash basin with tap mixer + shower set with a bath/shower mixer for both the common and master bathrooms)

Of course, you can just opt out altogether and not buy anything at all.

Note that if you’re purchasing a 2-room flexi BTO flat, the OCS options are a little different. Here are your options:

• Buying the flooring for the bedroom and living area, and a 3-panel sliding partition.
• Buying sanitary fittings.
• Buying the flooring for the bedroom and living area, a 3-panel sliding partition, built-in kitchen cabinets with appliances, built-in wardrobes in the bedroom, a folding door next to the bedroom, window grilles, lights, and additional bathroom fittings.

Finally, let’s talk pricing. The price of OCS packages vary based on the size of your home.

For a 3-room flat, you can expect to pay approximately $2,000 to $3,000 for internal doors and sanitary fittings. For larger flats, the price will be more expensive.

Do all HDB flats come with OCS?

The answer is… no, they do not!

While most HDB flats do come with OCS, this is not the case for all flats.

To be specific, BTO flats that are built using Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) do not come with an OCS option.

PPVC is a construction method where modular units are manufactured off-site in a controlled factory environment and then assembled on-site. This method is efficient and reduces construction time, but it does not accommodate the inclusion of OCS.

Since the modular units are prefabricated, they come with pre-installed components and finishes, meaning your floors and walls, internal doors, window frames and sanitary fittings are all already installed. As such, if you choose a BTO flat built with PPVC, you’ll automatically have all these items included with your flat; you won’t be able to opt out.

What do you get if you don’t sign up for the OCS?

Let’s say your flat isn’t built with PPVC, and you are able to sign up for the OCS – but you’re thinking of opting out.

In this scenario, you’ll get a basic BTO flat that includes essential structural components but without pre-installed fittings and finishes.

Here’s what you can expect: the flat will include the main door and gate, windows, walls, flooring in the kitchen, bathrooms, service yard and household shelter, wall tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms and a WC (toilet) in the bathroom.

Note that you will not have any flooring in your living and bedroom areas, nor any doors to your rooms. There are also no provisioned sinks or showers in the bathrooms.

Pros of Signing Up for OCS

Now that you have an overview of the OCS and how it works, let’s discuss the advantages of signing up for the OCS.

Convenience

One of the biggest advantages of the OCS is the convenience it offers. By having essential components like flooring, sanitary fittings, and doors pre-installed, the OCS simplifies the initial setup of your new flat. While additional renovations or customization may still be required, these basic installations save significant time and effort in the early stages of moving in.

Cost-Effectiveness

The OCS can be a cost-effective option compared to hiring contractors for separate renovations. Since HDB procures these components in bulk, the cost per unit can be lower. This potential savings can be particularly appealing for homeowners working with a tight budget.

According to online estimates, if you choose to hire a contractor or ID to carry out your separate renovations, you’ll be paying 1.5x to 2x the price for the components included in the OCS.

On top of this, don’t forget that the cost of the OCS is included in your overall purchase price, which can be financed through your HDB loan. This spreads the expense over your mortgage payments, making it more manageable compared to paying a lump sum for renovations out of pocket.

Quality Assurance

Components provided through the OCS are standardized and meet HDB’s quality requirements. This means you can expect a certain level of quality and consistency, reducing the risk of poor workmanship or substandard materials that might arise when dealing with external contractors.

Cons of Signing Up for OCS

While the HDB Optional Component Scheme (OCS) offers significant advantages, there are also considerations to keep in mind before opting in. Despite its convenience and cost-effectiveness, potential drawbacks exist that may impact your decision.

Limited Customization

One downside of the OCS is the limited customization it offers. The options for fittings and finishes are pre-selected by HDB, which means you might not get the exact design or material you envision for your home. This can be a significant drawback if you have specific aesthetic preferences.

Opting for the OCS means that your home will have identical fittings and finishes compared to those of your neighbors. This standardization ensures consistency across housing estates, but it also comes with a trade-off in individuality and unique design choices. If having a distinctively personalized home is important to you, it’s essential to consider whether the standardized options provided by the OCS align with your aesthetic preferences and desire for a unique living space.

Potential Quality Concerns

While HDB maintains a standard of quality, the actual installation work can sometimes vary. There have been instances where homeowners have encountered issues with the quality of the components or the workmanship, which can lead to additional inconvenience as rectification work will need to be done.

Factors to consider before signing up for the OCS

While the OCS offers convenience and potential cost savings, it’s essential to weigh these benefits against other factors to ensure it aligns with your personal needs and preferences. Here are some key considerations to help you make an informed choice…

Personal preferences

Like we’ve mentioned above, the OCS is not a good option for anyone who values customization or uniqueness. If having a unique and personalized home is a top priority, the limited options of the OCS might not satisfy your needs.

Budget

Compare the costs of opting into the OCS versus arranging your own renovations. While the OCS typically offers significant savings, it’s essential to evaluate if these savings outweigh the benefits of custom renovations.

You may also consider alternative cost-saving strategies here, such as working directly with a contractor instead of hiring an interior designer, participating in group buys with other homeowners to purchase materials and services at discounted rates, and obtaining multiple quotes from different contractors and suppliers to find the best prices for materials and labour.

Timeline

This one’s pretty straightforward – if you need to move in quickly, the OCS provides a significant advantage by offering a home with essential components already installed. While further renovations and customizations may still be required, the pre-installed fittings such as flooring, sanitary fittings, and internal doors help streamline the initial setup process. This allows you to focus on additional renovations and move in sooner compared to starting from scratch.

However, if you have more time and are willing to manage the renovation process, customizing your own space might be more rewarding.

A final word on HDB’s OCS

Deciding whether to sign up for the HDB Optional Component Scheme (OCS) involves weighing the pros and cons based on your personal priorities and circumstances.

While the OCS offers convenience, cost-effectiveness, and quality assurance, it also comes with limitations in customization and potential uniformity.

By carefully considering your preferences, budget, and timeline, you can make an informed decision that best suits your needs.

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