Kluje promises to renovate home improvement industry in Singapore
There are stories abound of unprofessional and shady contractors. Newly launched Kluje, hopes to solve the problem by letting you find verified contractors
Remember the wacky Singaporean contractor Phua Chu Kang from the eponymous sitcom, as he boasts being the “Best in Singapore, JB, and some say even Batam“? You may find him now on Kluje.com, an online platform to match home improvement projects with the right contractor.
Almost every home-owner will have experienced the frustration and worry of finding a reliable contractor for home improvement projects, ranging from simple plumbing and electrical jobs to wholesale remodelling. In the words of Jamey Merkel, CEO, Kluje.com, “Finding a reliable and professional contractor is a lot of hard work. There is a large variation in the quality of the contractors.”
There are stories abound of unprofessional and shady contractors, which include shoddy workmanship, incomplete work, and even stolen valuables when contractors step into a home. To solve this problem, Kluje (pronounced KLOO-je) was launched to help homeowners find suitable contractors, compare quotes and assess customer reviews, providing them with a peace of mind when they undertake major home improvement projects, routine maintenance, or even just a few odd jobs around the house. Contractors, too, can utilize this platform to market their services more effectively to an increasingly connected audience.
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Kluje has a simple 3-step process to realizing one’s dream home:
Homeowners post their home improvement jobs on the website for free.
Quality contractors, that have been vetted by Kluje with the relevant authorities (ACRA, BCA, Case Trust etc.), will then get to view these jobs – where up to three of them can bid on any one project. Contractors need to pay a basic monthly membership fee of $19.99, together with a lead cost (starting from $1), which is determined by the size of the home-owner’s budget, when they bid for projects.
The home-owner will then select the best contractor. Besides the price, home-owners can look through their portfolios on their profile pages to evaluate the best firm for the job. Contractors’ profiles will contain their qualifications, photos of previous work, and ratings (in terms of value, reliability and quality) given to them by previous Kluje users.
By rating contractors, Kluje aims to create an industry standard where the larger community of home-owners can rely on. With over 9,000 registered and an estimated 4,000 unregistered contractors, Kluje will filter out the quality contractors, allowing them to build their online reputation and win even more work.
With approximately 1.12 million households, the renovation and home maintenance industry in Singapore is worth nearly a billion. Kluje, though, is not content with just the local market, and has eyes on the region as well. “The home improvement market can only grow,” says Merkel, “Due to increasing populations, large expat communities and increasing wealth not only in Singapore, but the region as well. The real challenge is to provide a service that home-owners can trust. Kluje.com, by remaining independent, is in a position to make home improvement actually enjoyable!”
As part of the launch, Kluje is offering a free 30-day Trial Period for contractors, as well as S$50.00 in free Job Credits to bid on projects.
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Featured image credit: Home renovation / Shutterstock
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