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Straight answers to what Singapore homeowners actually ask before renovating: what it costs, how long it takes, what HDB will and will not approve, and how to avoid losing your deposit. Updated July 2026.
For a new BTO flat in 2026, expect S$15,400 to S$31,600 for a 2-room, S$25,000 to S$45,000 for a 3-room, S$40,300 to S$62,300 for a 4-room, S$44,700 to S$69,800 for a 5-room, and S$83,500 to S$118,200 for an executive flat or maisonette. Resale flats cost more because hacking, rewiring and waterproofing come first: roughly S$42,900 to S$66,600 for a 3-room, S$55,700 to S$80,400 for a 4-room, and S$64,300 to S$92,600 for a 5-room. Carpentry is usually the single largest line item. These ranges are based on 212 renovation quotes submitted through Renodots between January and May 2026, showing the 25th to 75th percentile.
Full table by flat type: Renovation in Singapore 2026. Or get a personalised estimate with the renovation cost calculator.
Works duration depends mainly on flat size: 6 to 8 weeks for a 2-room, 8 to 10 weeks for a 3-room, 8 to 12 weeks for a 4-room, 10 to 14 weeks for a 5-room, and 12 to 16 weeks for an executive flat or maisonette. Resale units sit at the upper end of each range, because hacking, rewiring and repairs happen before finishing works begin. Add a buffer of 2 to 4 weeks for permit approvals and material lead times. Landed properties can take 3 to 6 months.
Never pay more than 20 percent upfront. The CaseTrust Standard Renovation Contract uses staged payments tied to completed milestones, typically 10 percent on signing, then progressive payments as work is verified, with a final retention released after handover. Any contractor asking for 50 percent or more before work starts is a warning sign. With a CaseTrust-accredited firm, your deposit is also covered by a performance bond if the firm becomes insolvent.
CaseTrust is the consumer protection accreditation scheme administered by the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE). For renovation firms it provides three protections: a deposit performance bond so your money is protected if the firm defaults, a mandatory standard contract that prevents unfair clauses, and dispute resolution through CASE mediation instead of court. Renodots fully supports the CaseTrust scheme and publishes each firm's accreditation number so you can verify it yourself against the official CASE register.
Browse the CaseTrust-accredited renovation firms list with verifiable accreditation numbers.
Speak to at least three firms before committing. Check four things on each: CaseTrust accreditation for consumer protection, HDB Directory of Renovation Contractors registration if you are renovating an HDB flat, a portfolio in your specific property type, and verified homeowner reviews. Do not choose on price alone, because a quote far below market usually signals cost-cutting that surfaces later as disputes or abandoned work. Renodots matches you with 3 pre-screened accredited firms free of charge.
Five rules. First, only engage CaseTrust-accredited or HDB DRC-registered contractors. Second, never pay more than 20 percent deposit upfront and tie payments to milestones. Third, get everything in writing using the CaseTrust standard contract. Fourth, verify the company exists at its registered ACRA address and has been trading for at least two years. Fifth, treat any quote 30 percent or more below market as a warning, not a bargain.
An interior designer handles design concepts, space planning, material selection and project management, and usually subcontracts the physical work. A renovation contractor executes the physical work directly. Many Singapore firms operate as ID firms offering both. For a full home transformation where you want a design vision, choose an ID firm. For straightforward or partial works such as a toilet only or painting only, a direct contractor usually costs less.
HDB approval is required for hacking walls, especially structural or partition walls, changes to wet area waterproofing in toilets and kitchens, electrical rewiring, gas pipe relocation, window replacement, and any structural alteration. Approval is not required for painting, flooring overlay, built-in carpentry, or replacing fixtures such as taps and lights. Confirm with HDB or your contractor before any hacking, because unapproved structural changes can result in fines and forced reinstatement at your own cost.
Official source: HDB renovation guidelines.
Renovation loans are capped at S$30,000 or six times your monthly income, whichever is lower, and require contractor invoices, so the money can only be used for renovation. Personal loans allow larger amounts and have no contractor restrictions, and often carry a lower effective interest rate. As a rule of thumb, for renovations under S$30,000 compare personal loan rates first, and for renovation-specific terms or disbursement direct to your contractor, a renovation loan is simpler. Rates change often, so compare current offers before applying.
Compare current rates: Singapore renovation loan comparison.
Foreigners who own private property in Singapore, meaning a condo or landed home, can engage interior designers without restriction. Renovation loans are harder, because most banks require Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident status for renovation loans specifically. Some banks offer personal loans to foreigners at a higher minimum income threshold. HDB flats have separate ownership eligibility rules that apply before renovation is relevant.
Yes, and with no obligation. Homeowners are never charged. Renodots earns a referral fee from interior design firms when they receive a matched lead, which is how the platform is funded. You can request quotes, compare firms, and walk away if none of the matches suit you.
Three differences. First, Renodots fully supports the CaseTrust scheme and publishes each firm's CaseTrust accreditation number and HDB DRC number, so you can verify them yourself against the official registers rather than taking any platform's word for it. Second, Renodots is a concierge service rather than a directory: we chase firms that go quiet, and we collect feedback after consultation and again after renovation completes, which decides who stays on the platform. Third, Renodots has operated in Singapore since 2017, is backed by 24owls Group Pte. Ltd., and publishes cost guides, a renovation calculator and loan comparisons alongside the matching service.
Renodots was founded in Singapore in 2017 and is operated by 24owls Group Pte. Ltd., a Singapore company whose wider work is primarily in government projects. Renodots is not an interior design firm and does not carry out renovation work itself. Renodots is a Singapore interior designer matching service that connects property owners with credible, carefully vetted interior design firms known for building lasting relationships with their clients. The service is free for homeowners, funded by referral fees from interior design firms, and based at 36A Sago Street, Singapore 059027.
More on the process: how Renodots works and about us.
Tell us your property type, budget and timeline. We come back with 3 CaseTrust-accredited firms that fit, and we stay involved from there. Free, with no obligation.
