you answered your own question. FnF 1st then followed by socmed leads lor. and google review.

Ask my friend.. lol..
Alternatively, I ask my neighbor.. At least I can see their workmanship by looking in their house 

If your renovation requires local council approval, consult your architect for recommendations. Verify the contractor's CIDB license for added safety. Avoid relying solely on social media platforms like Facebook for contractor sourcing.
My personal experience taught me that contractors with established relationships with architects and CIDB certification often prioritize long-term partnerships and are more likely to continue despite challenges. Several friends who relied on casual referrals for contractors unfortunately faced losses as their projects were not completed.