You’ve probably come across property ads boasting about their “QLASSIC score”—but what is it, really? Is it just another marketing term, or does it actually tell you something important about the quality of a home? As more developers highlight their QLASSIC achievements, it’s worth understanding what this score means, how it’s assessed, and why it could matter more than you think—especially if you’re buying a new home.
The QLASSIC score, short for Quality Assessment System in Construction, is a standardized method developed by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia to evaluate the workmanship quality of building construction projects. Introduced as part of Malaysia’s Construction Industry Transformation Programme (CITP), QLASSIC aims to raise construction standards by offering a measurable and objective benchmark for quality. It plays a pivotal role in promoting accountability among developers and contractors while giving buyers confidence in the homes they purchase.
What is QLASSIC?
At its core, QLASSIC is a quantitative assessment system based on Construction Industry Standard (CIS 7). It assesses the quality of workmanship of building projects through on-site inspections using a scoring system. The inspection does not evaluate the structural integrity or safety aspects (which are covered under other regulations and codes), but rather the visual quality and compliance of completed works against set tolerances and acceptable standards.
How is the QLASSIC Score Assessed?
The assessment process begins once a building reaches a specific level of completion—typically when major works are finished but before the final handover. Trained QLASSIC assessors conduct a physical inspection based on a statistically selected sample of units and building elements. These include:
- Architectural works (e.g., wall alignment, tiling, plastering, paintwork)
- Structural works (e.g., columns, beams, slabs—visually only)
- Mechanical and electrical (M&E) works (e.g., pipe installation, sockets, switches)
- External works (e.g., roads, drains, fencing)
Each component is evaluated against predefined quality standards and tolerances. Points are awarded based on compliance and deducted where defects, non-conformities, or poor workmanship are observed.
The final QLASSIC score is calculated as a percentage, with higher scores reflecting better workmanship. A score of 80% and above is generally considered excellent, while 70%–79% is good, 60%–69% is satisfactory, and anything below may indicate a need for improvement.
What Does the QLASSIC Score Mean?
For developers, a high QLASSIC score is a mark of pride and professionalism. It demonstrates commitment to delivering quality homes and may give them a competitive edge in a discerning market. Some government-linked projects and affordable housing schemes even require minimum QLASSIC compliance as part of their approval conditions.
For homebuyers, the QLASSIC score provides a transparent indicator of construction quality. It helps them make more informed decisions when selecting a property. Unlike subjective marketing claims, QLASSIC scores are certified by a third party (CIDB) and thus offer greater reliability.
Additionally, for industry stakeholders, QLASSIC promotes continuous improvement. By benchmarking performance across projects and developers, it encourages the adoption of best practices, skilled labor, and quality management systems.
– Ken Lim
(Founder, PenangPropertyTalk.com)
(1) Is a QLASSIC score assessment compulsory for a property development project in Malaysia?
(2) Is the QLASSIC information made available to members of the public? Is there an existing website to obtain such information?
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Heard architect board and CIDB have clarified that QLASSIC is solely intended for quality assessment purposes and not intended to determine defects. Is this true?
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