HDB Renovation Cost Singapore 2026: Full Breakdown by Room Size
Quick answer: HDB renovation cost Singapore
Indicative 2026 ranges in this guide are S$15K–68K for BTO 2- to 5-room flats and S$25K–85K for resale 3- to 5-room/Executive flats. Hacking, plumbing, electrical rewiring, carpentry length and material choices can move the final quote significantly.
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.
The indicative 2026 planning ranges in this guide run from S$15,000 for a basic BTO 2-room scope to S$85,000 for a full resale 5-room/Executive scope. Before you sign any contractor's quote, use the room-size summary and itemised example below to compare like-for-like scope; the final written quote still depends on measurements, materials and hidden-condition work.
Summary: 2026 HDB Renovation Cost by Room Size
| Property Type | Mid-Tier Cost | Range |
|---|---|---|
| BTO 2-room | S$22,000 | S$15K–32K |
| BTO 3-room | S$28,000 | S$22K–42K |
| BTO 4-room | S$35,000 | S$30K–55K |
| BTO 5-room | S$45,000 | S$38K–68K |
| HDB Resale 3-room | S$32,000 | S$25K–48K |
| HDB Resale 4-room | S$42,000 | S$35K–62K |
| HDB Resale 5-room/Exec | S$58,000 | S$48K–85K |
| Condo unit (similar size) | +30-50% | BCA permit, MCST coord |
Resale flats cost more than BTOs due to extra demolition, older wiring, and bathroom waterproofing redo. For a deeper room-by-room breakdown, see our HDB renovation cost guide.
Where S$42K Goes (4-Room Resale Mid-Tier Example)
| Category | Cost | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Custom carpentry (wardrobes, kitchen, TV console) | S$15,000 | 36% |
| Tiles + flooring | S$7,500 | 18% |
| Electrical (rewire + switches + lights) | S$5,000 | 12% |
| Plumbing (toilet + water heater + waterproofing) | S$3,800 | 9% |
| Painting + wall treatment | S$3,500 | 8% |
| Hacking + protection + cleanup | S$2,500 | 6% |
| Lighting fixtures + ceiling fans | S$1,800 | 4% |
| Site supervision + design fees | S$1,500 | 4% |
| Contingency | S$1,400 | 3% |
| Total | S$42,000 | 100% |
7 Ways to Save $5K-$15K on Your HDB Renovation
1. Keep the Original Layout (Save $3K-$8K)
Hacking walls = HDB permit + structural engineer + waterproofing redo + extra rubble removal. Sometimes hidden costs hit $8K. If the existing layout works, accept it.
2. Buy Your Own Tiles, Sanitary Ware, Lights (Save $2K-$5K)
Contractors often mark up materials by 30-50%. Lazada / Taobao / IMM / Balestier wholesalers can offer the same brands far cheaper. Negotiate a "labour-only" contract to save 15-25%.
3. Use Laminate Carpentry, Not Solid Wood (Save $3K-$8K)
For wardrobes / non-feature carpentry, melamine laminate looks 90% identical, costs 50% less, and is more humidity-resistant in SG climate. Save solid wood for the TV feature wall.
4. Reuse Existing Floor If Possible (Save $4K-$7K)
BTO floors are usually fine for 5+ years. Skip the re-tiling, save $4K-$7K. Resale floors may need partial re-do but consider patching vs full replacement.
5. Avoid Trendy Designs (Save Long-Term)
Microcement, marble feature walls, neon LEDs — they age fast. Singapore aesthetic shifts every 3-5 years. Stick to neutrals and update soft furnishings instead.
6. Negotiate Total Package, Not Line Items (Save $1K-$3K)
Contractors expect 5-10% bargaining room. Negotiate "what total can you do this for" instead of haggling each line. Faster, less awkward, similar savings.
7. Compare 3+ BCA Contractors (Save $5K-$10K)
Quotes for the same scope can vary by 30% or more. Always get 3+ quotes before deciding. FixMove gives free itemised quotes you can line up side-by-side against other BCA contractors — no pressure to commit.
Hidden Costs That Catch Owners Off-Guard
- HDB renovation permit: $36 (cheap, but easy to forget)
- Aircon ledge approval: $150-$300 if changing
- HDB cleaning deposit: $200 (refundable)
- Lift protection deposit: $300-$500 (refundable)
- Furniture delivery during reno: $80-$150 per delivery (avoid by storing)
- Temporary accommodation: $1,500-$3,500 (Airbnb 8-12 weeks)
- Eating out: $500-$1,500 extra (no kitchen during reno)
BTO vs Resale Renovation: Which Is Cheaper?
| Aspect | BTO | Resale |
|---|---|---|
| Starting condition | Bare unit | Lived-in, may need hacking |
| Demolition cost | Low ($300-$800) | High ($1,500-$4,000) |
| Wiring | Modern, rarely re-do | Often needs full rewire |
| Bathroom waterproofing | New, OK | Often needs redo |
| Total saving vs resale | 15-25% cheaper | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does HDB renovation cost in 2026?
Indicative BTO ranges in this guide are 2-room S$15K–32K, 3-room S$22K–42K, 4-room S$30K–55K and 5-room S$38K–68K. Resale ranges are 3-room S$25K–48K, 4-room S$35K–62K and 5-room/Executive S$48K–85K.
What is the cheapest HDB renovation option?
Lightest renovation (paint + flooring + minor carpentry) starts around $8K-$12K for 2-room. Mid-tier renovation at 60-70% of full reno cost.
How long does HDB renovation take?
BTO standard: 8-12 weeks. HDB resale: 10-14 weeks. Add 2-4 weeks for custom carpentry or imported materials.
Do I need a scope-appropriate contractor?
Yes — HDB requires all renovation contractors to be permit-aware. Unlicensed = $2,500-$5,000 fines + revert work.
What's the standard deposit structure?
30% on signing, 40% mid-project, 25% on completion, 5% at end of warranty period.
Can I move in before warranty ends?
Yes — most defects appear within first 2 weeks. Standard warranty: 6-12 months workmanship.
What's the most expensive part of renovation?
Custom carpentry (35-40%): wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, TV consoles, study desks.
How can I save money on renovation?
7 ways: keep layout, buy materials yourself, use laminate, reuse flooring, avoid trends, negotiate package price, compare 3+ contractors.
FixMove is a scope-appropriate renovation contractor with itemised, transparent material pricing — every cost confirmed in writing before work starts, never above the agreed quote. WhatsApp your floor plan for a free, no-obligation site assessment.
Get my free HDB reno quote →Related Resources
- Renovation Singapore — Main Hub
- Full-House Customization
- Bathroom Renovation
- Aircon Installation Guide
- Electrician Cost Guide
- 组屋装修流程 (中文)
© 2026 FixMove.sg · scope-appropriate Singapore renovation contractor · Last updated 2026-08-01
Ceilings are one of the line items that swings a budget most; the false ceiling and L-box pricing breaks it down per square foot.
About FixMove - FixMove plans HDB renovation budgets against the 2026 ranges in this guide, from S$15K-68K for BTO 2- to 5-room flats and S$25K-85K for resale 3- to 5-room and Executive flats. FixMove itemises carpentry, tiles and flooring, electrical, plumbing, painting and hacking as separate lines, so quotes can be compared on the same scope before work starts.