Interior Design
HDB Renovation Packages: Costs and How to Choose
What Does an HDB Renovation Package Cover?
An HDB renovation package bundles the key trades — flooring, painting, carpentry, plumbing, electrical and tiling — into a single contract with one project manager. For first-time homeowners collecting BTO keys or families moving into a resale flat, packages offer cost certainty and a simplified renovation experience.
However, packages are not one-size-fits-all. A three-room BTO renovation looks very different from a full resale overhaul, and the scope you need depends on the flat’s age, condition and your design priorities.
Typical Inclusions by Room
| Area | Standard Package Scope |
|---|---|
| Living and dining | Flooring (vinyl or tiles), feature wall, painting, ceiling and lighting, curtain pelmet |
| Kitchen | Cabinetry (upper and lower), countertop, backsplash tiling, sink and tap, flooring |
| Bathrooms | Hacking, waterproofing, tiling, sanitary ware, false ceiling, vanity, door |
| Bedrooms | Flooring, wardrobe, painting, lighting |
| Service yard | Flooring, utility cabinet, washer/dryer plumbing point |
HDB Renovation Package Costs (2025–2026 Estimates)
| Flat Type | BTO (New) – Basic to Mid | Resale – Basic to Mid | Resale – Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-room | $25,000 – $40,000 | $35,000 – $55,000 | $55,000 – $80,000 |
| 4-room | $30,000 – $50,000 | $45,000 – $70,000 | $70,000 – $100,000 |
| 5-room / executive | $40,000 – $60,000 | $55,000 – $85,000 | $85,000 – $130,000 |
BTO flats cost less to renovate because they arrive with basic finishes — flooring, sanitary ware and internal doors — that may not need immediate replacement. Resale flats, especially those over 15 years old, require hacking, re-wiring and re-plumbing that significantly increase the base cost.
Flooring Choices for HDB Flats
Flooring is one of the largest line items in any HDB renovation package, and the material you select affects both cost and the overall feel of the flat.
Vinyl and SPC Flooring
SPC (stone polymer composite) vinyl flooring has become the most popular choice for HDB living rooms and bedrooms. It is waterproof, dimensionally stable in Singapore’s humid climate, and installs quickly with a click-lock system — no wet works, no hacking of the existing floor. This reduces both cost and renovation duration. Browse the luxury vinyl collection at Goodrich to compare woodgrain and stone-effect options.
Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles
Tiles remain the default for wet areas (kitchen and bathrooms) and are a practical choice for the living and dining areas if you prefer a cooler floor surface. Homogeneous tiles offer consistent colour throughout the body, making chips less visible.
Engineered Timber
Engineered wood planks provide a genuine timber look and feel but require more careful maintenance. They are best suited to bedrooms and studies where moisture exposure is minimal.
Wall Finishes That Add Character
Paint is the default wall finish in most HDB packages, but it is not the only option. Feature walls in the living room, master bedroom or dining area can be elevated with wallcoverings, wood panels or textured plaster.
Residential wallcoverings offer a fast, non-structural way to create focal points. They come in thousands of patterns — from subtle linen textures to bold geometric prints — and can be changed without extensive repainting when you want a refresh.
HDB Renovation Rules You Must Follow
HDB imposes specific renovation guidelines that all homeowners and contractors must comply with:
- Renovation permit — Required before any works begin. Apply via the HDB InfoWEB or through your contractor.
- Approved contractors — Certain works (demolition, plumbing, electrical) must be carried out by HDB-registered contractors.
- Working hours — Noisy works are allowed only on weekdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. No noisy works on weekends, public holidays or the eve of major public holidays.
- Structural restrictions — Structural walls, columns and beams cannot be hacked or modified. Only an HDB-approved Professional Engineer (PE) can assess which walls are non-structural.
- Waterproofing — Mandatory for all wet areas. Homeowners are liable for water damage to the unit below if waterproofing fails.
How to Compare HDB Renovation Packages
Not all packages are equal. Use this checklist when evaluating quotations:
- Is the quotation itemised or lump-sum? Itemised is always better for transparency.
- What flooring material and brand are included? Is it vinyl, tiles or a mix?
- What cabinet material is specified? Look for moisture-resistant (MR) boards at a minimum.
- How many power points are included per room? Additional points cost $80 to $150 each.
- Is painting included for all rooms, or just selected walls?
- What is the warranty period for workmanship defects?
- Are there provisional sums that could increase the final price?
Where to Save and Where to Spend
Save On
- Bedroom flooring — Vinyl planks over tiles save on material and labour costs without compromising aesthetics.
- Standard carpentry finishes — Laminate wardrobes and kitchen cabinets perform just as well as acrylic in most cases.
- Bathroom fittings — Mid-range sanitary ware from reputable brands costs a fraction of European designer ranges and comes with local warranty support.
Spend On
- Waterproofing — Never cut corners here. A failed waterproofing membrane will cost far more to rectify than the initial saving.
- Kitchen countertop — The countertop takes the most daily abuse. Quality quartz outlasts cheaper alternatives by years.
- Living room flooring — This is the largest visible surface in the flat. A premium vinyl or tile finish pays dividends in appearance and durability.
Feature Walls and Design Accents
A well-placed feature wall adds personality to an HDB flat without significant cost. The most common locations are behind the TV console in the living room, behind the headboard in the master bedroom and on the dining wall.
Feature wall options include wallcoverings, wood or laminate panelling, textured paint and decorative moulding. A single wallpapered wall, for example, can define the living area and set the design tone for the entire flat. In the dining zone, wainscoting or a bold wallpaper creates a distinct ambience for meals and gatherings.
When selecting a feature wall treatment, coordinate it with the adjacent flooring. Warm-toned vinyl or timber floors pair well with cooler wall tones, while neutral grey floors allow bolder wall colours and patterns.
Renovation Timeline for a Whole-Flat HDB Package
A full HDB renovation typically takes six to ten weeks, depending on scope and material lead times.
- Hacking and demolition (3–5 days)
- Masonry and plumbing rough-in (5–7 days)
- Electrical wiring (3–5 days)
- Waterproofing and ponding test (3–5 days)
- Tiling works (5–10 days)
- Carpentry installation (5–7 days)
- Painting (3–5 days)
- Flooring installation — vinyl (1–2 days)
- Fixture installation and touch-ups (3–5 days)
Vinyl flooring installation is significantly faster than tiling because it does not require a wet screed base or grouting time. This can shorten the overall renovation schedule by several days.
Choosing the Right Contractor
The contractor you select is just as important as the materials. A reliable HDB renovation contractor should hold a valid HDB-registered licence, carry adequate insurance and provide a clear, itemised contract with a fixed timeline. Ask for references from recent HDB projects and visit a completed site if possible.
Be wary of contractors who pressure you into signing quickly or who offer prices significantly below the market average. Extremely low quotes often indicate substandard materials, insufficient labour or a scope that will be padded with add-ons once work begins.
Get Started on Your HDB Renovation
Selecting the right flooring, wall finishes and materials early in the planning process gives your contractor a clear direction and helps avoid mid-project changes that inflate costs.
Browse our e-catalogue for the latest designs and start narrowing down finishes for every room in your HDB flat.
