New virtual site inspection process could cut TOP approval time by up to two months

Project teams in Singapore can now use a new whole-of-government virtual inspection process for temporary occupation permit (TOP) and certificate of statutory completion (CSC) inspections.

It could potentially enable them to obtain approval up to two months earlier, and achieve manpower savings.

With conventional physical inspections, project teams have to coordinate site works to ensure the requirements of multiple regulatory agencies are met and approvals secured in time. This can be especially challenging towards the end of a project, when delivery timelines are tight.

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Under the new process, project teams can opt to instead submit 360-degree virtual scans of their project sites to participating regulatory agencies to conduct their respective compliance checks required for TOP or CSC approvals.

The scans can be submitted progressively as works in specific areas are completed, instead of waiting for the entire project to be ready before initiating inspections.

This phased submission approach allows the TOP process to start earlier and gives project teams more flexibility in scheduling inspections.

Preliminary findings from pilot projects — including the 1,008-unit private residential development Grand Dunman in District 15 — indicate that the process could result in up to 30% productivity improvement in terms of manpower and time savings for project parties during the overall TOP inspection process.

Progressive submission also allows project teams to receive TOP approval up to two months earlier.

The initiative was announced at the closing ceremony of the Construction Technology (ConTech) Summit 2026 on Sept 2 by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and National Development Alvin Tan.

The virtual inspection process involves eight participating agencies: the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Infocomm Media Development Authority, Land Transport Authority, National Environment Agency, National Parks Board, PUB, Singapore Civil Defence Force, and URA.

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Project parties that meet the participating agencies’ requirements may apply for virtual inspections in lieu of physical inspections.

Physical inspections will continue to be available for those that do not wish to use the new process.

Firms can start using the process for TOP and CSC inspections with immediate effect.

The participating agencies have also published a guidebook that sets out the agencies’ inspection requirements, processes and key considerations for project teams adopting the new approach with virtual scans.

Funding support for discounted robot leasing

When it comes to robotics and automation, BCA said it has seen increasing demand for leasing solutions.

In response, it is launching the Robot Leasing Support Scheme to co-fund solution providers to lease proven robotics and automation solutions to built-environment firms.

These include concrete-levelling, tile-grouting, drilling and painting robots, as well as solutions for autoclaved lightweight concrete panel installation.

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This initiative will provide up to 50% co-funding for each robot, to defray the costs of scaling up leasing solutions.

It is meant to allow providers to offer discounted leasing to contractors, so that more firms can benefit from robotics and automation, as well as achieve greater time, cost and manpower savings.

It will be funded through the Built Environment Technology and Capability (BETC) grant.

To qualify, applicants must meet the existing BETC grant eligibility criteria, and have to be able to sustain a viable leasing model. They should set up a fleet of at least five robots, have a local maintenance team, and commit to offering fixed leasing rates for up to two years.

BCA pointed to a growing pipeline of market-ready solutions that offer significant construction productivity gains and manpower savings. However, barriers such as high upfront costs continue to deter some firms, particularly SMEs, from adopting them.

Leasing can be a more cost-effective way to benefit from these robotics and automation solutions, and BCA said that many firms have expressed interest in taking up leasing options.

From pilot projects to wider industry adoption

Separately, the government is exploring another run of the Built Environment Accelerate to Market Programme (BEAMP), which supports the development and deployment of innovative solutions in the built environment sector.

Established in 2019, the multi-agency initiative by BCA, JTC and Enterprise Singapore has introduced more than 100 challenge statements over the past six cycles, catalysing collaborations between about 80 built environment firms and innovators.

The government is considering another run to help take solutions from co-creation and pilot testing through to market trials and commercial deployment.

One such collaboration involved Fabrica AI and Woh Hup, which co-developed a robot that automates floor tile grouting, a traditionally labour-intensive task.

Through the partnership, Fabrica AI developed the fifth version of the robot, achieving productivity gains of up to two times compared with its previous version, as well as making it more reliable and user-friendly.

The technology has been deployed at projects including One Holland Village, an open-concept mixed-use development in the Holland Village lifestyle enclave.