Construction Guides

How to Choose a BCA A1 General Builder in Singapore: A Checklist

October 27, 2026

To choose a general builder in Singapore for a large project, start with four checks: a General Builder Class 1 licence, a CW01 grade that covers your contract value, current safety and quality certificates, and a track record of similar buildings. For developers, the BCA A1 grade is the top tier. It has no tendering limit, so it suits projects of any size.

However, a grade on paper is only the start. You also need to test the site team, the tender and the contract terms. This checklist walks through each step. It also links to the BCA and WSH Council pages, so you can check each claim yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • A General Builder Class 1 licence lets a main contractor take on building works of any value, while Class 2 stops at $6 million.
  • CW01 grade A1 has no tendering limit for public sector work. So it is a useful benchmark for private projects too.
  • BCA’s A1 requirements include ISO 45001 or bizSAFE Star, Green and Gracious Builder certification and a Class 1 licence.
  • Always verify licences and grades on BCA’s own lists before you shortlist a builder.
  • Test the site team, similar projects and contract terms, not just the certificates.

What Does A1 Mean When You Hire a General Builder in Singapore?

BCA runs two separate systems that matter here. First, the Builders Licensing Scheme decides who may carry out building works that need plan approval. Second, the Contractors Registration System (CRS) grades firms by workhead, such as CW01 for general building.

The grade sets a tendering limit. According to BCA’s tendering limits table, an A1 firm has no limit, while A2 stops at $105 million and B1 at $50 million. These figures apply from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.

These limits govern public sector tenders. Still, many private developers use them as a quick test of scale. If your project is large or complex, an A1 general builder gives you headroom that a lower grade may not.

Which Licences and Registrations Should You Check First?

Start with the licence, because it is a legal requirement. BCA states that main contractors doing building works which need plan approval must hold a General Builder licence. A Class 1 licence covers projects of any value. In contrast, a Class 2 licence covers projects of $6 million or less.

Next, confirm the CRS registration. From 1 June 2025, BCA requires firms to register with CRS before they hire construction S Pass or Work Permit holders. So a serious builder should show you a current CW01 grade.

Then verify both items yourself. BCA publishes its list of registered firms and links to a directory that shows workheads and grades. Check these details:

  • The company name and UEN match the tender documents.
  • The CW01 grade is current and fits your contract value.
  • The General Builder licence class and expiry date are valid.
  • Any specialist licences, such as piling, belong to the firm doing that work.

How Do You Judge Safety and Quality Systems?

Certificates show whether a builder has working systems. For example, BCA’s CW registration requirements (August 2024 edition) list three extra items for CW01 grade A1:

  1. ISO 45001 or bizSAFE Star for safety management.
  2. Green and Gracious Builder Scheme (GGBS) certification.
  3. A General Builder Class 1 licence.

bizSAFE Star needs a risk management audit. Also, the WSH Council says bizSAFE Level 3 and Star certificates last three years, or until the linked external certificate expires. So ask for the certificate and check the date.

GGBS looks at how a builder treats the site and its neighbours. BCA’s GGBS page states that CW01 and CW02 firms graded A1 to B2 must hold it. It scores green practices, gracious practices such as noise control and public safety, and innovation.

Finally, ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 14001 (environment) are not on BCA’s A1 list. However, they show that a builder runs audited quality and environmental systems, which helps on long programmes.

What Track Record and Site Team Should You Look For?

A grade already reflects scale. For instance, A1 firms need $150 million of CW01 work over the past three years. They also need at least 24 registered, professional or technical staff. Even so, scale is not the same as fit.

So ask for projects that match yours. If you are building a multi-storey warehouse, look for ramp-up, heavy floor loading and container access experience. If you are doing works in an occupied building, look for phased A&A work. Then visit a live site if you can.

Also meet the people who will run your job. Ask for the project manager, site engineer and safety officer by name. Check how long they have worked together, and how many other sites they cover. A strong firm with a stretched team can still slip on your programme.

The Builder Checklist at a Glance

Use this table when you score tenders. It keeps the scoring fair and easy to explain to your board or lender.

Check What to ask for Where to verify
Builder licence General Builder Class 1 licence and expiry date BCA builder licensing records
CRS grade CW01 grade that covers your contract value BCA list of registered firms
Safety system ISO 45001 or bizSAFE Star certificate Certificate dates and issuing body
Site conduct GGBS certificate and rating Certificate from the scheme administrator
Quality system ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certificates Certification body register
Relevant projects Two or three similar completed buildings Site visits and owner references
Site team Named project manager, engineer and safety lead CVs and interviews

What Should the Tender and Contract Cover?

A clear tender gets you comparable prices. First, issue the same drawings, specification and scope to every builder. Then ask each one to list exclusions and assumptions in a fixed format.

Next, look at how the builder plans the job. A good tender shows a realistic programme, the key subcontractors, and how the firm will handle approvals and inspections. Also note that the builder has a formal role in approvals. BCA states that the permit to start structural works is a joint application by the developer, the Qualified Person and the builder.

Finally, agree the contract terms before award. These include payment stages, variations, defects handling and handover. If the lowest price comes with the longest list of exclusions, it may not be the cheapest job.

How Weima Builders Approaches This

Weima Builders was founded in 2017 by construction industry veterans. We hold BCA CW01 General Building grade A1 and a General Builder Class 1 licence. Our certificates include ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, bizSAFE Star and the BCA Green & Gracious Builder certificate.

Our work covers structural, architectural, A&A and fit-out works, plus design and build and project management. For example, at 4 Pandan Crescent we delivered a single-user, seven-storey ramp-up warehouse with mezzanine floors, completed in 2023. You can see the full range on our construction services page.

Shortlisting builders for an industrial or commercial project? Contact Weima Builders to walk through your scope. We will share our licence, grade and certificates up front, so you can check them. Call +65 6548 3000 or email info@weima.sg.

Related service: see our BCA A1 main contractor services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a CW01 grade and a builder licence?

A builder licence is a legal permit to carry out building works that need plan approval, issued under BCA’s Builders Licensing Scheme. A CW01 grade is a CRS registration that sets which public sector tenders a firm may bid for. Your main contractor on a large project should hold both. You can check each one with BCA.

Does a private developer have to hire an A1 builder?

No. CRS tendering limits apply to public sector tenders, so a private developer may hire any suitably licensed builder. However, the main contractor must still hold a General Builder licence for works that need plan approval. Many developers use the A1 grade as a benchmark for financial strength, staffing and track record on large projects.

What is the project value limit for a General Builder Class 2 licence?

BCA restricts General Builder Class 2 licence holders to projects valued at $6 million or less. A Class 1 licence holder may take on projects of any value. So if your works exceed $6 million, check for a Class 1 licence before you award the contract.

How long is a bizSAFE Star certificate valid?

The WSH Council states that a bizSAFE Star certificate lasts three years. However, it ends sooner if the linked external certificate expires first. Linked certifications include ISO 45001 and SS 651. Always ask for a copy of the certificate and check the expiry date during tender evaluation, not after award.

How do I check a contractor’s BCA grade?

Use BCA’s published list of registered firms, which links to a directory that shows each firm’s workheads and grades. Search by company name or UEN, then confirm the CW01 grade, expiry date and builder licence class. Make sure the details match the company named in the tender and the contract.

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