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A construction company in Singapore starts as an ordinary ACRA-registered company, then registers with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). The Contractors Registration System (CRS) is mandatory for firms that hire foreign construction workers. Since it has been a nation-wide registry. Checked .
SingaporeCompanySetupGuide.com is an independent guide. It is not BCA, MOM or ACRA, and providers may pay us for requests from our forms. We do not file CRS applications.
Who must register with CRS?
BCA says all firms that hire foreign construction workers, meaning S Pass or Work Permit holders, must register. The same applies to contractors who want to take part in public sector construction tenders or work as first-level subcontractors on public projects. Because of the change, a private-sector builder that hires foreign workers cannot skip it.
How is the registry organised?
BCA groups about 50 workheads into five categories.
| Group | Code | Grades |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Workheads | CW | A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3 |
| Construction-Related Workheads | CR | L6, L5, L4, L3, L2, L1, or a single grade |
| Mechanical and Electrical Workheads | ME | L6, L5, L4, L3, L2, L1 |
| Trade Heads | TR | Single grade |
| Regulatory Workheads | RW | Not applicable |
Each workhead has Specific Registration Requirements covering financial, track record and personnel criteria. Read the one for your trade before you set your capital.
What evidence does BCA look at?
| Area | What BCA asks for |
|---|---|
| Financial | Latest audited accounts, not older than 12 months, for most grades. Management accounts are accepted for C3, L1 and single-grade workheads |
| Personnel | Relevant qualifications, licences, education certificates and NRIC or work pass documents |
| Track record | Contracts, completion certificates and payment documents for completed or ongoing projects |
BCA also expects full-time technical personnel based in Singapore. A start-up with no accounts and no projects should check which grade is realistic before it builds a business plan on one.
What does it cost?
BCA's CRS page lists no application fee, annual fee or processing time. We quote none. ACRA charges S$15 for the name and S$300 to register the company, S$315 in total. Equipment, insurance, safety systems, site staff and workers' costs are your numbers. See accounting services, since audited accounts are part of the evidence.
What are the steps?
- Register the company with ACRA. See company registration and private limited company.
- Set up the registered address and the bank account. See registered address and business bank account.
- Pick the workhead and grade that match your work and numbers.
- Collect the financial, personnel and track record documents.
- Apply to BCA for CRS registration.
- Only after registration, apply for foreign construction workers.
Which structure suits a contractor?
A private limited company limits what you owe if a project fails. That matters when contracts are large and subcontractors are many. A sole proprietorship is possible, but you carry all liability and CRS financial tests are written around accounts. Compare them on private limited company.
What about workers and CPF?
Foreign workers come through MOM passes, which this guide does not cover beyond the CRS rule above. Local staff bring CPF duties. See CPF for employers. We quote no wage or levy figure, because no verified source is in this guide.
Can a foreigner own a construction company?
Yes, through a corporate service provider with a locally resident director. BCA and MOM then look at the firm's capability and personnel. See register a company as a foreigner.
Which SSIC code fits?
You choose a code on Bizfile. The BCA and ACRA pages read here do not name a construction code, so none is quoted. See SSIC code. Match the code to your real trade, and keep your BCA workhead in line with it.
Where does a provider help?
A provider can register the company, supply the address, set up the books and prepare the bank file, so you have accounts ready for BCA. Choosing a workhead and winning projects remain with you. Send the quote form and we pass your request to suitable providers.
Sources
- BCA, Contractors Registration System: https://www1.bca.gov.sg/procurement/pre-tender-stage/contractors-registration-system-crs (who registers, workheads, grades, evidence, the June change)
- ACRA, registering a company: https://www.acra.gov.sg (name and registration fees)
