Average Waiting Time for BTO Flats from 2009 to 2012

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for National Development (a) for each year from 2009 to 2011 and for the first half of 2012, what is the average waiting time for Build-to-Order (BTO) flats from the time of flat application to the Estimated Delivery Possession Date (EDPD); (b) whether HDB aims to reduce this waiting time; (c) what is the targeted waiting time that HDB is aiming for; and (d) when this target is expected to be achieved.

We do not have the data as requested by the Member. This is because the time between application and legal completion date depends on many factors. For example, is the applicant a first-timer or second-timer? Is the applicant looking for a flat in a mature or a non-mature estate? Is the project a low-rise or a high-rise development? Are the flats of standard design or iconic in nature?

What we have are data pertaining to the construction times of projects. For typical Build-To-Order (BTO) projects of 20 storeys and below, the average construction time was 32 months in 2009. This fell to 30 months in 2010, and 29 months in the years thereafter.

We certainly hope to shorten construction time of projects. Some reduction is possible through greater use of standardised fittings, including doors and windows, which allow for easy fabrication. We are also using more pre-cast components for faster installation on site. In addition, since mid 2011, HDB has been bringing forward the preparation of building designs for tender so that construction can commence soon after project launch.

But often there are obstacles to our efforts to shorten construction time. For example, some projects are affected by local factors, such as poor soil conditions, site constraints, taller blocks or more complex design features.

HDB will continue to explore ways to further reduce the delivery time for our building projects, but we must not compromise construction safety and quality to reap time savings.