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.
Visit charges: 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. 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