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How to check a contractor in Brunei before you sign

A few simple checks before you sign can save you from delays, poor work and disputes. Here's our checklist.

Skyscraper workers in red company shirts and yellow helmets preparing a floor inside a building
Our team on siteSkyscraper Sdn Bhd

Choosing a contractor is the biggest decision in any building project. Price matters, but the cheapest quotation can turn into the most expensive job if the work has to be redone. These checks take less than an hour and work for any project, from a car porch to a new house.

1. Check the company is registered with ABCi

ABCi publishes lists of registered companies on its website, under Syarikat Berdaftar. The list of builders (Senarai Syarikat Pembina) shows the companies permitted to carry out construction work. For government projects, the company should also be on the list of contractors registered for government tenders and quotations (Senarai Syarikat Kontraktor).

Open the list, search for the company name and note the date the list was last updated. Ask the contractor for a copy of their licence and check that it stays valid for the whole length of your project. If you're unsure, call ABCi on 238 0428 (Bahagian Kemajuan Bangunan) or 238 1430 (Bahagian Kemajuan Industri).

2. Ask for an itemised quotation

A single lump-sum figure makes it hard to compare offers. A good quotation lists each part of the work with sizes, quantities and materials, and states clearly what is not included, such as light fittings, permits or site clearing.

3. Get a written agreement

The agreement should set out the scope of work, the drawings and specification, the start and completion dates, the payment stages, what happens if the work is delayed, and the defects period after handover.

4. Pay by stages

Payments should follow completed stages of work, so you only pay for what has been built. A retention sum is usually held until the end of the defects period.

5. Look at their past work

Ask for photos of similar jobs, or visit a finished project. A contractor who builds well is usually happy to show you. You can see our own work in the gallery.

6. Make sure they build to the approved drawings

If your project needs approval, the contractor must build to the approved drawings. In August 2025 the Minister of Development told the Legislative Council that ABCi would issue warning notices for breaches from September 2025, with compound fines, suspension or prosecution if they continue. Our guide Do you need approval to extend your house in Brunei? explains when approval is needed.

Quick checklist

  • The company is on ABCi's list of registered builders
  • Its licence is valid for the whole project
  • The quotation is itemised and lists what is excluded
  • The written agreement has dates, payment stages and a defects period
  • Payments follow completed work
  • You've seen photos or visited past projects

Our registration

Skyscraper Sdn Bhd holds builder's licence KPN/ABCI/BL/6415 and is registered as a Class III contractor for government projects under KPN/ABCI/6415. You're welcome to check us on the ABCi website.

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