Singapore Renovation Guide · 2026
How much does renovation actually cost in Singapore right now?
A look at real 2026 budget ranges for HDB, condo and landed renovations in Singapore — what drives the cost up or down, and a free calculator to build your own estimate by category.
Typical renovation budgets by home type
These ranges reflect a full renovation — flooring, painting, electrical, carpentry and wet areas. A "basic" scope covers cosmetic refresh and overlay work; "premium" includes hacking, full rewiring and custom carpentry throughout.
| Home type | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Room HDB | $25,000 – $35,000 | $35,000 – $45,000 | $45,000 – $55,000 |
| 4-Room HDB | $35,000 – $45,000 | $45,000 – $55,000 | $55,000 – $65,000 |
| 5-Room / Executive HDB | $40,000 – $52,000 | $52,000 – $65,000 | $65,000 – $80,000 |
| Condo (3-bedroom) | $45,000 – $60,000 | $60,000 – $85,000 | $85,000 – $120,000 |
| Terrace house | $100,000 – $140,000 | $140,000 – $180,000 | $180,000 – $220,000 |
| Semi-detached / Bungalow | $150,000 – $250,000 | $250,000 – $400,000 | $400,000 – $700,000+ |
New BTO flats generally sit at the lower end of these ranges since they don't require hacking out existing finishes — resale flats, especially those over 15 years old, often need extra spent on rewiring, re-piping and waterproofing before any visible work begins.
For reference — a recent 4-storey landed full renovation I completed in Loyang Rise came to $98,000 over 99 days, landing in the mid-range for a landed project this size.
Recent projects
A couple of completed renovations, so you can see real numbers against real scope — not just planning-stage ranges.
4-Room BTO HDB · Tengah Garden
Full unit renovation — living & dining, built-in daybed nook, carpentry throughout
$35,000 · 8 weeks
4-Storey Landed House · Loyang Rise
Full unit renovation — kitchen, bathrooms, living & dining spaces across all 4 storeys
$98,000 · 99 days
Where the money goes
Every renovation is really eight or so line items stacked together. Here's the typical 2026 rate for each, based on aggregated Singapore contractor pricing.
Flooring
Vinyl overlay at the low end, ceramic tiles in the middle, marble or engineered timber at the top.
Painting
Standard emulsion vs. premium paint, feature walls and designer wallpaper accents.
False ceiling
Cornice strips at the low end; full ceilings with cove and integrated lighting at the top.
Hacking & masonry
Mostly relevant for resale flats — removing old tiles and walls before re-tiling.
Electrical rewiring
New points and switches at the low end; a full rewire for older flats at the top.
Carpentry
Kitchen cabinets, wardrobes and TV consoles — usually the single biggest line item, around a quarter to two-fifths of the total budget.
Kitchen overhaul
Countertop, sink, hob and hood, and fittings — priced as a lump sum per kitchen.
Bathroom works
Waterproofing, sanitary ware, vanity and shower set — from a fixture swap to a full overhaul.
Common questions
Is $30,000 enough to renovate an HDB flat in 2026?
It can be, for a BTO 3-room flat or a basic, function-first renovation — particularly since BTOs don't need hacking. For a budget in the $25,000–$35,000 range, prioritising kitchen cabinets, bathroom fixtures, flooring and basic electrical over custom carpentry tends to stretch furthest.
Why are older resale flats so much more expensive to renovate than new BTOs?
Flats that are 15–25 years old often need full electrical rewiring, waterproofing and plumbing replacement before any cosmetic work starts, which alone can add $10,000–$30,000 to the budget. New BTOs skip most of this since the systems are already current.
What's the single biggest cost driver?
Carpentry — built-in wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, TV consoles and study nooks — typically makes up a quarter to two-fifths of the total budget. The material choice (laminate vs. solid wood or aluminium) alone can shift the carpentry cost by two to three times.
How long does a renovation take?
Most HDB renovations run 8–12 weeks. A BTO with minimal hacking can wrap up closer to 8 weeks, while a resale flat needing full hacking, rewiring and wet works often takes 12–14 weeks. If the flat is your primary residence, it's worth planning temporary accommodation around this.
What's not included in a typical renovation quote?
Watch out for hacking and debris disposal fees, electrical rewiring for older flats, waterproofing remediation for failed membranes, structural assessment fees for any wall removal, and management/MCST deposits — these can add several thousand dollars on top of the headline quote.
Guides
Deeper dives into specific renovation scenarios.
4-Room HDB Renovation Cost in Singapore: 2026 Breakdown
The full $35,000–$65,000 range explained, category by category, with hidden costs to budget for.
BTO vs Resale Flat Renovation: Why the Budgets Look So Different
Why hacking, rewiring and waterproofing can add $10,000–$30,000 to a resale renovation.
Kitchen Renovation Cost in Singapore: 2026 Breakdown
Why carpentry dominates the kitchen budget, and what a realistic full-kitchen quote looks like.
Bathroom Renovation Cost in Singapore: 2026 Breakdown
Waterproofing, sanitary ware and full overhauls — why small rooms cost disproportionately more.
5-Room HDB Renovation Cost in Singapore: 2026 Breakdown
How the budget scales up for 5-room and Executive flats, and where people most often underestimate.
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