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 permit-aware 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 contractor meeting the applicable registration requirements |
| 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 |
What FixMove does
FixMove (registered ALL-IN-ONE FIX & MOVE, UEN 53505530K) comes to you anywhere in Singapore — your HDB flat, condo, office or shop. There is no counter to visit. One number covers eight kinds of work: aircon, plumbing, electrical, handyman, installation, moving, renovation and full-house customisation. We are open 24 hours, Monday to Sunday, and where the work is regulated we arrange the appropriately licensed person.
Repair, diagnostic labour and materials are quoted separately. Work starts only after customer approval.
A S$10 fuel surcharge applies to every visit. No additional standard call-out or inspection fee applies. Urgent service or a customer-requested appointment time adds one S$30 fee, subject to technician availability and confirmation. The S$30 is a separate service fee. Pricing terms.
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 — any scope change requires written customer approval.
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.