Contractor rights

[CTcheong]

I am a contractor in Singapore. Recently, I had done up a renovation and the owner operates the business the next few days. Then he came back to me stating that there some defects ( Defect list stated "handover with defects") and did not want to pay the balance to me ( abt 25K). I did not let him sign and handover form but I agreed and done up all the stated defects. after 2 weeks , he came up with another list of defects, but this round with additional work plus alteration to the existing cabinets. Though unwillingly, I still agreed to do them up. But then , on that day when I send in my guys to do, he stopped us by saying that he will report to police if we enter his premises. So we went back. Then I emailed him asking what is happening. and he said the deadline is over and he want to get another contractor to do and he insist on holding on the balance 25K. I emailed him again stating he cannot do that, but then if he insist, I got to know what price he is looking at. but then, he did not reply me. What I see he is not going to pay me the balance? May I know do I have the legal stand against him and claim back my money ? It is urgent as I got to use this money to pay my guys for their work. Say; my contract stated 2nd jan to complete & handover and he taken procession and started the business on 3rd jan but then the defects was done after 2 weeks. may i know too in legal did i owe him anything?

Please advise.....

[randalljd]

Some minor delay is not reason to hold back that large sum.

If you sue in court you would likely prevail.

[CTcheong]

A lot of thanks for that....but you know, in singapore is very expensive to be court. Anyway, thanks