Multiple legal claims filed against interior design firm Formal Informal Practice for unfinished homes, overdue payments

SINGAPORE: After months of shopping around for interior designers, Mr Calvin Ho and Ms Melissa Tan finally found one they liked and were looking forward to celebrating Chinese New Year in their new home.

They signed a contract in October 2022 with interior design firm Formal Informal Practice, which they said had unique designs.

But nearly two years on, Mr Ho and Ms Tan still have not been able to move into their home. Hiccups occurred soon after the contract was signed, with the firm making mistakes taking measurements and the designer overseeing their renovation abruptly leaving the project.

The project then went through the hands of two more designers before the firm’s director – Aden Amos Seow – took over in September last year.

But months rolled by and their home was still not ready. Tired of the delays and constantly chasing for updates, the couple sought help from the Consumer Association of Singapore (CASE) in mid-January this year. The consumer watchdog told them there was little it could do as Mr Seow did not respond to any of its emails and calls.

That was also when Mr Seow “ghosted” the couple. WhatsApp screenshots showed no response from Mr Seow for nearly two months.

“We are both outstationed most of the time … that’s why we chose to pay a premium for (an interior designer),” said Mr Ho. “In the end, it felt like a nightmare.”

The couple decided to pursue legal action to claim their money back from the firm and have been awarded a court judgment for nearly S$75,000 (US$56,000).

CNA also spoke to other home owners who faced delays and unfinished homes despite making partial or close to full payments to Formal Informal Practice. Two of them were granted orders from the Small Claims Tribunals for refunds of around S$7,500 and S$20,000, while the third home owner did not file a claim with the tribunal as the refund he is asking for exceeds the claim limit of S$30,000.

Another home owner Fang Wenkai, who was also granted a Small Claims Tribunal order, is asking for his S$8,424 payment back after the firm provided incomplete designs and raised the quotation by S$18,000.

CNA has seen and verified the orders.

But Formal Informal Practice has not complied with the orders, said those interviewed, adding that Mr Seow did not show up for any of the tribunal consultations or hearings.

“If you can’t enforce the order, what you’re left with is a piece of paper that you can frame up in your home as memorabilia,” said Mr Fang.

The police have confirmed that multiple reports have been filed against the company and that investigations are ongoing.