Structural vs Non-Structural Walls
You can never hack a structural (load-bearing) wall in an HDB flat, even with a permit, because it carries the load of the floors above. Only non-structural partition walls (usually around 100mm thick) can be removed, and only after HDB approves your contractor's floor plan.
HDB Permit is Mandatory
Before any hammer swings, your BCA-approved contractor must submit a floor plan to HDB and obtain a hacking permit. Unauthorized hacking carries severe penalties.
Cost of Hacking
Hacking a standard non-structural wall between a bedroom and living room typically costs from S$500 to S$900, covering demolition labour and debris disposal. But that is only the demolition line — see the full breakdown below, since make-good, electrical re-routing and repainting are almost always part of the real bill.
Get a Free WhatsApp Quote — No ObligationHow to Tell If Your HDB Wall Is Structural (Before You Plan Anything)
The single most expensive mistake homeowners make is assuming a wall can come down before checking. In an HDB flat, the rule is simple but absolute: reinforced concrete (RC) load-bearing walls can never be hacked, full stop, even with a permit. Only lightweight non-structural partition walls are removable, and even those need HDB approval first.
You can get a strong first read yourself, but the final word always belongs to your contractor and HDB's approved plan:
- Thickness test. Non-structural HDB partitions are usually around 100mm thick. Anything noticeably thicker (150mm+) is a strong sign of a structural RC wall.
- The knock test. Tap along the wall. A hollow, drum-like sound usually means a lightweight partition; a dense, solid thud suggests concrete with rebar inside.
- Check the floor plan. HDB My HDBPage shows your unit's approved layout. RC walls are typically drawn as solid heavy lines. This is indicative only, not a substitute for site verification.
- Walls you should never touch. Any wall containing your DB box, the bomb shelter (household shelter) walls and door, and most walls shared between units are off-limits regardless of thickness.
DIY vs Calling a Pro
Wall hacking is firmly in call-a-pro territory. This is not a weekend handyman job. Only a BCA-registered renovation contractor can submit the floor plan, secure the HDB renovation permit, and carry out demolition legally. Hacking without a permit risks fines, being ordered to reinstate the wall at your own cost, and complications when you eventually sell. The only DIY part is the planning: deciding what you want, confirming feasibility, and gathering quotes.
What Hacking Actually Costs in Singapore (Full Picture)
The demolition itself is rarely the whole bill. Once a wall comes down, you almost always need make-good work, floor patching, ceiling and skirting repair, and often electrical re-routing if sockets or switches sat on that wall. Below are realistic, indicative Singapore ranges, confirmed on site after assessment.
| Job | Indicative Cost (SGD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hack one non-structural wall (incl. disposal) | from S$500–S$900 | Bedroom-to-living wall; size dependent |
| HDB renovation/hacking permit handling | often included by contractor | Submitted by BCA-registered contractor |
| Make-good: plaster, patch floor & ceiling line | typically S$300–S$800 | Larger if tiles must be matched |
| Electrical re-route (sockets/switch on hacked wall) | from S$120 per point | Licensed electrician work |
| Skim coat & repaint the opened area | typically S$400–S$900 | Depends on wall area |
All figures are indicative only and vary by flat type (HDB / condo / landed differ on rules and access), wall size, debris volume and finishing. Your final price is confirmed on site after assessment — never above the written quote.
Plan the Make-Good and Electrical Work Up Front
Most "cheap quote, expensive reality" stories happen because the homeowner only budgeted for demolition. When that partition disappears, the floor underneath it shows a bare strip, the ceiling has a paint line, and any wiring inside the wall has nowhere to go. Bundling demolition, plastering, electrical re-routing and repainting into one coordinated renovation scope is almost always cheaper and cleaner than hiring trades piecemeal. If you are pricing a fuller flat upgrade, our renovation cost guide breaks down HDB, BTO and kitchen ranges. And because any socket or switch sitting on the hacked wall must be relocated by a licensed professional, factor in electrical re-routing from the start rather than as a surprise add-on. The simplest next step is to send us your floor plan or a photo of the wall on WhatsApp — a FixMove coordinator will tell you whether it looks removable and give you an indicative all-in range before any work is booked.