Qanvast vs Hometrust vs Layered: Which Renovation Platform Should You Use?

If you are searching for an interior designer in Singapore, you will quickly meet three kinds of starting points: a matching service, a review site and a directory. This is an even-handed look at Qanvast vs Hometrust, and where Layered fits in. We run Layered, so we are upfront about where we are newer and smaller.

Everything below about Qanvast and Hometrust is what they say about themselves on their own sites in October 2026. Check their current terms before relying on any of it.

Qanvast vs Hometrust vs Layered at a glance

Qanvast: matching with vetting and a guarantee

Qanvast says homeowners submit a request and receive a shortlist of three to five firms that fit their budget and style, and that its service is free for homeowners. It says firms are vetted before they are listed and monitored through verified homeowner reviews, and it runs a SuperTrust badge for top-rated firms. Its Qanvast Guarantee is a free scheme that returns renovation deposits, up to S$50,000, if a firm you engaged through the platform becomes insolvent.

Best for: homeowners who want a curated shortlist and some deposit protection built in.

Hometrust: reviews first

Hometrust positions itself as a customer review platform for interior designers and renovation contractors. On its site it lists thousands of firms and thousands of homeowner reviews, and it offers a personalised shortlist based on house type, budget and style. Its forum is also a place to ask other homeowners questions.

Best for: homeowners who want to read lots of first-hand experiences before choosing.

Layered: credentials and clear guidance

Layered is a newer directory. Firms publish portfolios and can list their HDB renovation contractor licence number and their CaseTrust accreditation (CaseTrust, CaseTrust-RCMA or CaseTrust Gold), so you can filter for them and then check them yourself. Alongside it we publish plain-English guides on HDB renovation costs, permits and rules and a full renovation checklist.

What we do not have yet: a large firm base, homeowner reviews or a deposit guarantee. Credentials on Layered are self-declared by each firm unless our team has checked them against the official lookups, in which case the badge shows a tick and the date. Every profile says which.

Best for: homeowners who want to compare firms by HDB and CaseTrust credentials and learn the process before they talk to anyone.

What none of them replaces

Whichever platform you use, the protective checks are the same and they are yours to do:

1. Verify the HDB licence on HDB's contractor lookup if you live in an HDB flat.
2. Verify CaseTrust on CASE's website, including that it has not expired. Our guide to CaseTrust and HDB licences explains how.
3. Get three itemised quotes and compare scope, not just the total.
4. Read the contract for staged payments, timeline, variations and the defects liability period.

A sensible way to combine them

Use more than one source. Build a shortlist from a matching service or directory, read reviews for each firm, verify credentials directly, then meet two or three firms in person. Our checklist for choosing an interior designer walks through each step, and you can browse all designers on Layered to start a shortlist.

Frequently asked questions

Is Qanvast free for homeowners?

According to Qanvast, its recommendation service is free for homeowners. Confirm current terms on its site.

Does Hometrust have reviews of interior designers?

Yes. Reviews are the core of Hometrust, which lists firms alongside homeowner-written reviews and ratings.

Does Layered verify designers?

Not by default. Firms list their own HDB licence and CaseTrust accreditation, and we label them as self-declared. Where our team has checked a firm against HDB's and CaseTrust's own lookups, the badge shows a tick and the date. Always confirm on the official lookups too.

Which platform is best for finding an HDB interior designer?

Each helps in a different way. Use a matching service or directory to build a shortlist, a review site to check experiences, and the official HDB lookup to confirm the contractor is registered.