HDB Renovation Cost in Singapore (2026 Guide)
Cost ranges below are third-party 2026 planning estimates, not Form & Space quotations or guaranteed prices. Obtain an itemised quotation for your own scope, including applicable GST and exclusions. Industry guides put most full HDB renovations in Singapore in 2026 somewhere between about S$36,000 and S$100,000. Where you land depends on three things: the size of the flat, whether it is a new BTO or a resale unit, and how much hacking, wet work and built-in carpentry the plan needs. Industry guides put a typical 4-room BTO renovation at roughly S$50,000 to S$70,000, and a 4-room resale flat at around S$55,000 to S$85,000.
Below we pull together the latest published market figures, explain what pushes a quote up or down, and give you a checklist for setting a budget you can stick to. These are typical ranges quoted by the sources named, not a quotation from us. Every home is different, and the only reliable number is one based on your own floor plan and scope.
2026 HDB renovation cost ranges by flat type
Two widely read Singapore guides have published 2026 estimates. Qanvast projects its figures from 2025 median costs across 341 BTO and 449 resale renovation projects on its platform, plus 1 to 2% inflation. MoneySmart publishes its own estimated ranges.
| Flat type | BTO / new flat (Qanvast) | Resale flat (Qanvast) | BTO / new flat (MoneySmart) | Resale flat (MoneySmart) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-room | S$40,800 to S$52,500 | S$55,000 to S$68,300 | S$36,100 to S$57,000 | S$40,000 to S$90,000 |
| 4-room | S$50,000 to S$60,000 | S$70,000 to S$81,600 | S$51,000 to S$70,000 | S$55,000 to S$85,000 |
| 5-room | S$60,600 to S$76,500 | S$80,800 to S$98,900 | S$62,000 to S$82,400 | S$70,000 to S$100,000+ |
The two sources draw on different projects and definitions of a full renovation. Use their figures to frame an initial budget, not to judge a single quotation. Ask what is included, whether GST applies, and which furniture, appliances, professional fees or other items are excluded.
Why resale flats usually cost more
A new BTO flat is close to a blank slate. A resale flat comes with a previous owner’s tiles, cabinets and wiring, and often some wear behind the walls. MoneySmart estimates resale renovations sit 20 to 40% higher than comparable BTO jobs, and lists the hidden works that cause the gap:
- Hacking existing tiles: about S$400 to S$700 per area
- Rewiring: about S$4,000 to S$8,000
- Plumbing upgrades: about S$1,500 to S$3,500
- Plastering: about S$1,700 to S$4,700
None of these show up in the finished photos, but they decide how long the home lasts. When you compare resale quotes, check that each one includes the same preparation work. Otherwise the cheapest quote may simply be leaving it out.
What drives the cost of an HDB renovation
Carpentry
Built-in carpentry is usually one of the largest items in any HDB budget: kitchen cabinets, full-height wardrobes, TV consoles, shoe cabinets and feature walls. MoneySmart puts custom carpentry for a large flat at roughly S$12,000 to S$28,000. The length of cabinetry, the board and laminate you choose, and fittings such as soft-close hinges and internal organisers all move the number. Ask for carpentry to be quoted by length or by unit, with the materials named, so quotes can be compared fairly.
Kitchen and bathrooms
Wet areas cost more than dry ones because they need waterproofing, plumbing and careful tiling. MoneySmart estimates a complete kitchen renovation at about S$8,900 to S$15,000, and two bathrooms at around S$10,000 to S$20,000. If you own a new BTO flat, note that HDB does not allow the original toilet wall and floor finishes to be removed for 3 years, to protect the waterproofing. You can overlay new tiles instead, which is often cheaper anyway.
Flooring
Flooring choice makes a big difference across a whole flat. MoneySmart quotes basic vinyl at about S$4 to S$8 per square foot, against roughly S$20 to S$35 per square foot for luxury tile or marble. Replacing existing floor finishes also needs an HDB permit, which your contractor applies for.
Layout changes and hacking
Moving or removing walls adds demolition, debris removal, making good and sometimes new electrical points. Wall hacking always needs an HDB permit, and structural walls cannot be touched at all. It is worth checking which walls in your flat are structural before you plan an open-concept kitchen, because that decides what is possible.
Electrical work and air-conditioning
Flats built after 1 January 1994, or upgraded under the Main Upgrading Programme or Home Improvement Programme, are generally equipped for a higher electrical load, according to HDB. Older flats without this may need an HDB permit to add new 15-amp power points for air-conditioners and other high-load appliances. Rewiring, extra lighting points and smart home wiring are much easier to add before the carpentry goes in than after.
How long an HDB renovation takes
Qanvast’s 2026 estimates put a 4-room renovation at roughly 8 to 10 weeks for both BTO and resale flats, with 3-room BTO flats at about 6 to 8 weeks. These market estimates are not permission to exceed HDB’s approved work period. HDB’s current guidance states 3 months for new flats and 1 month for existing flats. Ask your contractor to distinguish design, fabrication and deliveries from permit-controlled works, and follow the completion period and conditions in your permit.
Your HDB renovation budget checklist
- Decide your must-haves first: kitchen, storage and bathrooms usually come before feature walls.
- Get your floor plan and measure the length of carpentry you actually need.
- Ask every contractor to quote the same scope, item by item, with materials and brands named.
- For resale flats, ask what hacking, rewiring and plumbing are included, and what is excluded.
- Check that the contractor is listed in HDB’s Directory of Renovation Contractors.
- Plan electrical, lighting and smart home points before carpentry is drawn.
- Set aside a contingency for surprises behind old tiles and walls, especially in an older resale flat.
- Leave room in the budget for things outside the renovation: furniture, appliances, curtains and moving costs.
- Agree a payment schedule tied to stages of work, not dates.
If you would like to see how a finished HDB project comes together, take a look at our Blk 951 Hougang HDB renovation, where an HDB flat was given an industrial loft look with raw concrete walls and a carved timber sliding door.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to renovate a 4-room HDB flat in 2026?
Industry guides put a 4-room BTO renovation at about S$50,000 to S$60,000 (Qanvast) or S$51,000 to S$70,000 (MoneySmart). For a 4-room resale flat, Qanvast quotes about S$70,000 to S$81,600 and MoneySmart about S$55,000 to S$85,000. Your own cost depends on scope, materials and the condition of the flat.
Why is renovating a resale HDB flat more expensive than a BTO?
Resale flats often need existing tiles hacked, old wiring and plumbing replaced and walls re-plastered before any new design work starts. MoneySmart estimates resale renovations run 20 to 40% higher than comparable BTO projects for these reasons.
What is usually the biggest cost in an HDB renovation?
Built-in carpentry, such as kitchen cabinets and wardrobes, is usually one of the largest items. Kitchens and bathrooms are also costly because they need waterproofing, plumbing and tiling.
Can I hack the toilet tiles in my new BTO flat?
Not in the first 3 years. HDB does not allow the original toilet wall and floor finishes in newly built flats to be removed for 3 years, to protect the waterproofing. You can lay new tiles over the existing ones instead. After 3 years, replacing them needs an HDB permit.
How can I keep my HDB renovation within budget?
Fix your must-haves early, compare quotes on the same itemised scope, plan electrical points before carpentry, and set aside a contingency for surprises. Keeping the existing layout where it works also avoids hacking and making-good costs.
Planning your HDB renovation?
Explore our residential renovation and in-house carpentry services. To discuss your floor plan, priorities and proposed scope, send us an enquiry.
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