What is the cheapest renovation option for HDB?

Lightest renovation (paint + flooring + minor carpentry) starts around $8K-$12K for 2-room. Most owners choose 'mid-tier' renovation at 60-70% of full reno cost: BTO ~$22K, 4-room ~$28K.

What's the deposit structure?

Standard: 30% on signing, 40% mid-project, 25% on completion, 5% at end of warranty period. FixMove offers 30/35/30/5 for slightly more retention.

Can I move in before the warranty ends?

Yes — most defects appear within first 2 weeks of living in. Standard warranty is 6-12 months for workmanship. FixMove gives 12 months.

How can I save money on HDB renovation?

7 ways: (1) Keep existing layout, no hacking; (2) Buy own materials at Lazada/Taobao for tiles & lights; (3) Use laminate over solid wood for non-key areas; (4) Avoid trendy designs that age fast; (5) Keep one painted accent wall vs full feature wall; (6) Bargain on overall package, not line items; (7) Compare 3+ BCA contractors.

Renovation · BCA Licensed

HDB Renovation Cost Singapore 2026: Full Breakdown by Room Size

Q: How much does HDB renovation cost in 2026?

BTO from $35K, 2-room HDB resale $20K-$28K, 3-room $28K-$42K, 4-room $42K-$58K, 5-room/Executive $58K-$85K. Mid-tier estimates exclude high-end finishes.

Q: How long does HDB renovation take?

BTO standard: 8-12 weeks. HDB resale (more demolition): 10-14 weeks. Add 2-4 weeks for custom carpentry or imported materials.

Q: Do I need a BCA-licensed contractor?

Yes — HDB requires all contractors to be BCA-registered Renovation Contractors (RC). Hiring unlicensed = $2,500-$5,000 fines and may force you to revert work.

Q: What's the most expensive part of renovation?

Custom carpentry (35-40% of total): wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, TV consoles, study desks. Followed by tiles + flooring (15-20%) and electrical + plumbing (12-15%).

HDB renovation in Singapore costs anywhere from $20,000 (basic 2-room) to $85,000+ (full 5-room with high-end carpentry). This guide breaks down every line item with real 2026 quotes from BCA-licensed contractors, so you'll know exactly where your money goes — and where to save $5K-$15K.

Summary: 2026 HDB Renovation Cost by Room Size

Property Type	Mid-Tier Cost	Range
BTO 2-room	S$22,000	$15K-$32K
BTO 3-room	S$28,000	$22K-$42K
BTO 4-room	S$35,000	$30K-$55K
BTO 5-room	S$45,000	$38K-$68K
HDB Resale 3-room	S$32,000	$25K-$48K
HDB Resale 4-room	S$42,000	$35K-$62K
HDB Resale 5-room/Exec	S$58,000	$48K-$85K
Condo unit (similar size)	+30-50%	BCA permit, MCST coord

Resale cost more than BTO due to more demolition, older wiring, and bathroom waterproofing redo.

Where Your $42K Goes (4-Room HDB Mid-Tier Example)

Category	Cost	% of Total
Custom carpentry (wardrobes, kitchen, TV console)	$15,000	36%
Tiles + flooring	$7,500	18%
Electrical (rewire + switches + lights)	$5,000	12%
Plumbing (toilet + water heater + waterproofing)	$3,800	9%
Painting + wall treatment	$3,500	8%
Hacking + protection + cleanup	$2,500	6%
Lighting fixtures + ceiling fans	$1,800	4%
Site supervision + design fees	$1,500	4%
Contingency	$1,400	3%
Total	$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 mark up 30-50% on materials. Lazada / Taobao / IMM / Balestier wholesalers give same brands at half price. Negotiate "labour-only" contracts — 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 30%. Always get 3+ quotes. FixMove provides itemized quotes that you can directly compare with other BCA contractors.

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?

BTO from $35K, 2-room resale $20K-$28K, 3-room $28K-$42K, 4-room $42K-$58K, 5-room/Executive $58K-$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 BCA-licensed contractor?

Yes — HDB requires all renovation contractors to be BCA-registered. 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.

Need an itemized HDB renovation quote?

FixMove BCA-licensed contractor — 3D renderings included, transparent material pricing, 12-month warranty. WhatsApp your floor plan for a free site quote.

WhatsApp +65 9823 7108