Home renovation can be a costly investment for a homeowner. Home renovations can take 1-3 months, depending on the scale of the revamp. Before starting any home renovation project in Singapore, it is important to calculate the Singapore renovation cost. This will help you to set a budget and avoid any financial surprises.
Before we breakdown the cost of renovation for HDBs and condominiums, here are a few questions for you to consider:
- What is the property type you’re renovating? HDB or Condo?
- What is the status of your property? Is it a resale flat or was it newly built?
- How big is your home?
- How many toilets are there?
- How many bedrooms are there?
- Are you renovating a specific area? Such as the living room, master bedroom, study room, kitchen or others?
In this article, we will discuss the cost of renovation Singapore, the factors that affect this cost, and how to finance your home renovation project.
Overview of Renovation Costs in Singapore
| Singapore renovation cost | Light renovation range | Moderate renovation range | Extensive renovation range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total cost of renovation Singapore | $23,730-$28,476 | $60,235-$72,282 | $103,170-$195,804 |
| Cost of renovating a living room | $900-$6,520 | $6,520-$17,500 | $17,500-$53,620 |
| Cost of renovating a bedroom | $700-$10,500 | $10,500-$17,780 | $17,780-$70,560 |
| Cost of renovating a bathroom | $770-$9,170 | $3,640-$12,040 | $12,040-$49,700 |
| Cost of renovating a kitchen | $1,120-$3,640 | $9,170-$16,730 | $16,730-$38,430 |
| Other renovation costs Singapore | $2,450-$8,610 | $8,610-$14,980 | $14,700-$35,280 |
It would be best if you keep in mind that the figures are calculated based on a 4-room HDB BTO with 3 bedrooms, 2 toilets measuring 90 square meters.
Categories of Home Renovation
When it comes to home renovations, there are three main categories:
- Light renovation
- Medium renovation
- Extensive renovation
Light Renovation
A light renovation is typically any work that doesn’t require structural changes to the home. This could include cosmetic upgrades like painting, new flooring, updating fixtures and fittings, and adding new furniture.
Light renovations are typically the most affordable and can be completed relatively quickly. If you’re planning to sell your home soon, light renovations can help increase its value.
Medium Renovation
A medium renovation is usually any work involving changes to the home’s structure. This could include removing or adding walls, extending the house, or converting attic or basement space into livable areas.
Medium renovations are more expensive and involved than light renovations and can take longer to complete.
Extensive Renovation
An extensive renovation is any work that completely changes the home’s layout or footprint. This could involve tearing down walls, adding new levels to the house, or completely gutting the interior.
Extensive renovations are the most expensive and can take months or even years to complete.
Before starting any home renovation, it’s important to do your research and consult with a professional. This will help ensure your project is completed successfully and within your budget.
What Are the Factors That Affect the Cost of Home Renovation in Singapore?
Many factors affect the cost of home renovation in Singapore. Some of the most common ones include:
1. The type of home
The renovation cost Singapore varies with the type of home. For instance, resale flats would require more work and are more expensive to renovate than BTOs. The higher cost is due to the following reasons:
Additional hacking on walls or tiles
Resale flats in Singapore often come with existing walls or tiles that will need to be removed (hacked) to make way for the new renovation. This is in contrast to BTOs, where the walls and floors are usually left blank, ready for the new homeowners to add their personal touch. This results in an additional cost for resale flats.
Additional piping works
Resale flats often require extensive piping works due to the age of the building. Sometimes, the water and drainage pipes may need to be replaced completely. This is not the case for BTOs, which come with new and up-to-date piping. As a result, this adds to the renovation cost Singapore for a resale flat.
Re-wiring of electrical circuits
Older buildings often have outdated electrical circuits that need to be replaced or re-wired to accommodate the new renovation. This is not the case for BTOs, which come with new and up-to-date electrical circuits. As a result, this adds to the cost of renovating a resale flat.
Extra-fitting in the toilet
BTOs come with a standard toilet layout that is ready for use. However, many resale flats require extensive toilet work to make them more functional. This includes fitting in new toilets, sinks, and showers. As a result, this adds to the cost of renovating a resale flat.
Surplus amount of space
One of the advantages of renovating a resale flat is that there is often more space to work with. This is in contrast to BTOs, which are usually smaller in size. As a result, this allows for more creativity and flexibility in the renovation, resulting in a higher cost.
2. Amount of work required
The renovation cost Singapore also varies with the work amount required.
If the renovation is extensive and requires a lot of work, it will be more expensive. For instance, a full-scale kitchen renovation with new cabinets, countertops, and appliances will be more costly than simply painting the walls and changing the light fixtures.
3. Type of materials used
The cost of renovation Singapore also varies with the type of materials used. If high-end materials are used, then the cost will be higher. For instance, using marble for the countertops in the kitchen will be more expensive than using laminate. Another example would be using solid hardwood for the floors. That is a very expensive material.
4. Type of interior design
The cost of renovation also varies with the type of interior design. If a more luxurious and upscale design is desired, the cost will be higher. For instance, a Scandinavian-style interior design with high-end furniture and fixtures will be more expensive than a more basic and simple design.
5. Choice of interior design company
The renovation cost Singapore also varies with the choice of the interior design company. The price will be higher if a well-known and reputable company is chosen. For instance, selecting a renowned interior design company for its luxury and high-end designs will be more expensive than choosing a more basic and simple company.
How Can I Finance My Home Renovation in Singapore?
The actual home renovation process takes 1-3 months, while the planning usually starts much earlier than that. Couples in Singapore could start planning for their home renovation as early as 1 year ahead.
Rather than financing the costly home renovation with your hard-earned savings, homeowners in Singapore can opt for a reliable renovation loan that has fixed monthly installments. This helps to lessen the financial burden while you get to build the house of your dreams. Get a free quote for renovation loans here.
