Here's what you need to know when you are renovating your first condominium

Do you intend to refurbish your condominium property? You may be considering remodelling or renovating your home at some point in your life, particularly if you have recently purchased a new property or wish to revamp the whole unit. After all, renovation work is not only a rewarding and enjoyable endeavour, but it is a great way to freshen up any space. With that said, you should keep in mind that renovating your condominium property is completely different from renovating any other form of housing, such as HDBs or landed estates. This is because there are several regulations and factors you need to consider before getting in contact with a contractor or interior designer. Nonetheless, you do not need to worry too much about it because we got your back! Read on as we cover a wide range of tips and tricks you need to know about the various condominium renovating guidelines in Singapore.

 

Pexels

Are you looking to renovate your condominium unit? If you are, you need to seek planning approval before you start on your renovation journey. This is especially important because any renovation works that may lead to an increase in Gross Floor Area (GFA) will need to be granted prior approval by the planning department. Specifically, the Management Corporation's (MC) Secretary or Chairperson must provide you with a signed document that states their 90% permission to proceed with the planned construction design for your condominium unit. Only then will you be able to continue with any renovation works. 

Without this planning approval, your renovation work is deemed illegal, and as such, you will find it difficult to engage anyone who is willing to renovate your home. With that said, it is best for you to plan what renovation works you would like for your condominium. Only by doing so will you be able to know if there will be an increase in Gross Floor Area (GFA) and if you require the planning approval or not.

Another thing you need to take note of about renovating a condominium is if you are planning to make any modifications, you need to ensure it is authorized by the management cooperation. This is because the management corporation may have established regulations and restrictions about the kinds of alterations that can be performed within the condominium property itself. For instance, they may place restrictions on the length of time as well as the day or time of the week that renovation work can be performed. Take note that these laws might vary depending on the property or building, and on the management cooperation themselves. As such, it is best to choose a remodeling specialist that has plenty of experience and knowledge in renovating condo units, and at the same time, is also familiar with the restrictions and regulations that are frequently imposed on these condominium properties. This can make your renovation journey much easier and less confusing with an expert’s opinion and experience. With that said, you should also determine the guidelines that govern condominium renovations and ensure that these rules are clearly disclosed to your renovation specialist. This is important because it helps to prevent any miscommunication or possible mistakes that can be made while undergoing the renovation process.

As you probably already know, a condominium has an additional layer of security where access to a condominium unit is restricted. In your case, you will require a keycard to enter the condominium and to enter the lift to your unit as well. But what about your renovation specialist, interior designer, or contractor? This is something that many overlook and forget. As such, you need to note that your Management Agent should set up access to your condominium unit for your renovation specialist. After all, it is unlikely for you to be with your renovation specialist every time they enter your unit to do the renovation work. With that said, there is another thing you need to take note of. If your condominium has recently acquired a Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP), chances are there are a lot of other renovations in the works as well. As a result, the lifts and visitor parking spaces may both be scarce and difficult to reach. As such, ensure that you advise the Management Agent employees, especially security personnel, who exactly will be working on the remodeling works and when they will need access ahead of time. Nonetheless, if the entrance to the premises is limited, a skilled and experienced renovation specialist will factor in the expected delays and set up a backup strategy in order.

 

Pexels

The next tip that we have for you is to make a separate budget for any unexpected expenses. This is because, unfortunately, renovations can be poorly done, no matter how meticulously planned they may be. As a consequence, a restoration expenditure should include a buffer – ie. a separate budget. This is especially important when it comes to condominium renovations because they tend to have greater expenses, as compared to HDBs. For instance, the unexpected cost of removing renovation debris may need to be included in this separate budget. For the best and most secure results, we recommend having a backup budget that consists of between 5% to 10% of your total renovation budget.  

In short, remember that creating a detailed overview of the renovation estimate will not only help make your budgeting easier but can give you a better and more accurate overall idea of how much money you require for your renovation journey. It is always better to make a separate budget for your unexpected expenses than to be shocked by the sudden expenses, and realise you have insufficient funds to pay for your full renovation journey.

Last but not least, you need to arrange a date to have the larger renovation debris removed. Although certain HDB apartments and Condo Renovation Rules Singapore provide this service, renovation professionals are generally the ones responsible for collecting and disposing of trash generated during renovations. For instance, items such as flammable objects and wet cement should never be dumped in waste disposals. Therefore, you should check with the management agent to see if there are any restrictions you and your renovation specialist or contractor need to follow before removing any debris. Take note that schedules for waste removal should also be disclosed to the Management Agent. 

With that said, you also need to be careful when removing such large renovation debris. This is because if the garbage chute is damaged, you will be held responsible for the cost of replacing or repairing it. Thus, instead of removing them via the rubbish chute, it is best to find an alternative solution or recommended solution by the management agent. Furthermore, to avoid disruption to other residents, contractors should only use the designated elevators and stairs.

We hope these tips and tricks about the various condominium renovating guidelines in Singapore will be useful as you embark on the journey to renovate your first condominium.