We speak to Jimmy Hong of LiVinci Interior Design to understand the regulations, professional standards and accreditations that homeowners should look out for when choosing an interior designer, and why building trust matters just as much as creating a beautiful home.
A beautiful home can begin with a photograph. A carefully curated portfolio, an impressive 3D rendering or a renovation package that seems too good to pass up. But what happens after the contract is signed, the deposit is paid and the real work begins?
For Jimmy Hong, the man behind Singapore interior design firm LiVinci, this is where the true measure of a renovation company lies.
Jimmy believes that setting higher standards for the industry begins within his own company. By prioritising professional development and accountability, he hopes to cultivate a team that takes pride in both its work and its responsibilities.
Having spent years navigating an industry where homeowners have become increasingly discerning, Jimmy understands that good design alone is no longer enough. Behind every successful renovation should be a company with the knowledge, accountability and professional standards to deliver what it promises.
Every property presents its own opportunities and limitations. From the structural considerations of landed homes to the spatial constraints of apartments, LiVinci’s experience across different residential types informs its approach to each new brief.
Beyond a beautiful portfolio
When Jimmy first entered the industry, one of his biggest challenges was overcoming the public’s lack of confidence in renovation contractors and interior designers. With varying levels of expertise among practitioners and complaints about renovation experiences, convincing homeowners to place their trust in a company was not always straightforward.
Rather than simply focusing on growing the business, Jimmy sought to strengthen LiVinci’s professional credentials. He pursued further qualifications through the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), obtained a builder’s licence and sought accreditation through HDB and CaseTrust.
Today, LiVinci holds RCMA CaseTrust GOLD accreditation and a builder’s licence. The company also requires its interior designers to obtain Certified Renovation Practitioner (CRP) certification, reflecting Jimmy’s commitment to maintaining professional standards across the team.
“It is a requirement for our designers to be CRP certified if they wish to join our firm,” Jimmy explains. For him, certification is part of ensuring that homeowners work with designers equipped with the necessary industry knowledge and professional training.
As homeowners become more informed, he believes design firms have a responsibility to keep pace through continuous learning and professional development.
A home should continue to work long after the renovation is complete. LiVinci considers how spaces will be used and maintained over time, balancing visual appeal with the practical demands of daily living.
What homeowners should really look for
Scroll through social media and it is easy to see why homeowners are drawn to certain interior designers. Beautifully photographed spaces, clever layouts and carefully considered material palettes can make choosing a designer feel like a purely aesthetic decision.
Jimmy understands the appeal. After all, everyone wants a beautiful home. But he believes homeowners should look beyond the finished photographs.
“Credibility, stability and responsibility,” he says, are three qualities that deserve just as much attention as a company’s portfolio.
An impressive portfolio might demonstrate creative ability, but it does not necessarily reveal how a company manages projects, communicates with clients or handles problems when they arise.
His advice is straightforward: check a company’s credentials, understand its payment terms and ensure proper procedures are in place before committing.
“Do not try to save small amounts of money and end up with a big loss,” he cautions. “Some things are too good to be true.”
At LiVinci, Jimmy sees professional accreditation as one way of giving homeowners greater peace of mind. The company’s RCMA CaseTrust GOLD accreditation includes provisions for protecting 50 per cent of the contract sum, subject to the scheme’s terms.
While qualifications cannot eliminate every renovation challenge, they provide homeowners with additional safeguards and a clearer basis for assessing the companies they engage.
Behind every completed interior is a process of planning, coordination and execution. LiVinci places importance on professional accreditation and ongoing training, recognising that responsible renovation practices are just as essential as creative design.
Changing the conversation
Jimmy’s commitment to better renovation practices extends beyond his own company.
Having served on the executive committee of the Renovation Contractors and Material Suppliers Association (RCMA), he has witnessed how technology and rising homeowner expectations have transformed the industry.
Today’s homeowners arrive with more design references, greater access to information and clearer expectations. For renovation firms, keeping up means improving not only their presentations and technology, but also the knowledge and capabilities of their teams.
Jimmy has taken this belief into the public sphere through his involvement as a speaker at HDB’s MyNiceHome roadshows, where he helps new homeowners understand renovation planning, budgeting and the warning signs to watch out for when selecting a renovator.
For Jimmy, education is an important part of improving the industry. By helping homeowners make informed decisions, he hopes fewer people will experience the financial and emotional difficulties of a poorly managed renovation.
It also reminds his own team to uphold the standards they encourage others to expect.
No two households live quite the same way. Whether accommodating a growing family, creating spaces for entertaining or planning a quieter retreat, LiVinci believes that good interior design should respond to individual needs rather than follow a fixed formula.
A different kind of responsibility
Jimmy also believes an interior design firm’s expertise can make a difference beyond commercial projects.
Earlier this year, following a fire in Toa Payoh, LiVinci mobilised members of its team to help clean one of the affected homes.
Seeing the aftermath firsthand, Jimmy recognised the difficulties residents might face in finding help quickly enough to restore some normalcy to their lives. With an experienced workforce and the necessary industry knowledge, LiVinci was in a position to assist.
“We felt we had the ability to activate our workforce to get hands-on as soon as possible,” he recalls.
He hopes such experiences will also encourage younger employees to recognise that their skills can serve a purpose beyond completing renovation projects.
“Every company should do their part in giving back to society within their means,” he says.
Whether helping homeowners navigate renovation decisions or assisting families affected by unexpected circumstances, Jimmy believes professional expertise comes with responsibility.
Building something that lasts
Ask Jimmy what he hopes LiVinci will be remembered for, and his answer has less to do with the number of homes completed or the size of the company.
Instead, he wants to contribute to an industry where homeowners are better informed, renovation processes are more transparent and professional accountability becomes an expectation rather than an exception.
For homeowners, that means understanding what questions to ask before signing a contract. For designers, it means recognising that creative ability must be supported by technical knowledge, responsible practices and a willingness to keep learning.
After all, a beautiful home is something homeowners can appreciate every day. But the confidence that comes from knowing it was built responsibly is just as valuable.
Visit LiVinci Interior Design to learn more about its approach to professional standards, responsible renovation practices and creating homes with confidence.
