Renovation Cost in Singapore: The Ultimate Guide on How to Budget and Save Money

The only things more stressful than the actual process of renovating your home are the last minute surprises when it comes to renovation cost. So it is only fair that you are in possession of all the facts before you start renovating your home. Essentially, there is no single answer to the question of what would be the ideal or average home renovation cost in Singapore. This is primarily because the final price of renovation is a function of several products and services.

So, How Much Does Renovation Cost in Singapore?

To begin with, let us take you through the various factors that affect the house renovation cost of your Singapore home in one way or another.

#1: Renovation Cost Based on the Type of Property

Type of Property	Scope of Work	Cost Range for Renovation*
HDB BTO	Kitchen, wardrobe, and furniture***	$10,000 – $60,000
HDB Resale	Full home design** + furniture	$30,000 – $100,000
New Condo	Furniture only	$10,000 – $60,000
Resale Condo	Full home design** + furniture	$30,000 – $150,000

We hope the above table gives you a fair idea of the renovation price list to budget for. But there are still a few things to keep in mind when it comes to planning your renovation cost. Unless you own a private property, any home you buy in Singapore will belong to one of the following categories:

1. HDB BTO

HDBs are, basically, new government subsidised housing that are built-to-order. Such homes are already furnished with the basic amenities and thus, don’t require extensive renovation. Moreover, since new HDBs are highly subsidised by the government, they come attached with several rules and regulations pertaining to renovation.

For example, the bathroom and kitchen floorings or tiles cannot be hacked for a new HDB BTO that is less than 5 years old. 

2. HDB Resale

Typically, for HDB resale properties, these older homes have an older layout and might have amenities that don’t necessarily match modern sensibilities. Hence, these homes require an extensive overhaul of their interiors with hacking, plumbing, electrical, painting, masonry and all other renovation services.

Also, the rules regarding the renovation of older HDBs are much more relaxed. Naturally, the renovation cost for such properties tends to be higher than HDB BTOs. 

For more information on HDB renovation cost, check out: Everything You Need to Know About Renovating Your HDB.

3. New Condo 

Condos, which are privately owned, non-subsidised residences in Singapore, cost more than HDBs. However, these apartments come equipped with more amenities and high-end furnishings. Newly launched condo units have sleek looking interiors complete with all the essential fittings and usually good quality flooring. Hence, an end-to-end renovation is rarely, if ever, necessary. 

So if you have a new condo, chances are you can save good money on your condo renovation cost in Singapore.

4. Resale Condo

The scope of renovation and its imminent cost depends on how old the condo is and how many times ownership of the unit has changed. Condo renovation costs tend to be higher than HDBs as it is assumed that people who buy condos have a higher budget for renovations. 

For a better idea, find out How Can an Interior Designer Help You With Your Condo.

#2: Renovation Price List Based on the Size of Your Home

The larger the home, the higher the renovation cost in Singapore. This is provided all other factors like type of property and scope of work are constant. To help, we’ve put together a comprehensive renovation price list by Livspace to help you budget your renovation cost better.

If you still think that you might be going over budget, check out 7 Smart Hacks to Renovate Your Home on a Tight Budget.

Comparison by Size of New Properties

New Properties	Cost for Renovation (starting at)*
2 Room	$10,000*
3 Room	$14,500*
4 Room	$17,500*
5 Room	$19,500*

Comparison by Size of Resale Properties

Resale Properties	Cost for Renovation (starting at)*
3 Room	$32,000*
4 Room	$36,500*
5 Room	$39,500*

#3: Renovation Cost in Singapore Based on the Scope of Work

Renovating a home is not a simple task with just one type of work. It is a mammoth project with various kinds of services that involve people with different skill sets. Some of these services cost more than the others. The following table breaks down renovation costs with regard to the percentage of the total cost that goes into a particular kind of service. 

You can roughly estimate the ultimate cost of renovating your home depending on which of these services you will be opting for.

Percentage of Renovation Cost Per Service

Renovation Service	Percentage of Cost*
Carpentry	35%
Masonry	25%
Glass & Aluminium	11%
Electrical	9%
Hacking	7%
Ceiling Partition	7%
Painting	6%
Plumbing	5%

#4: The Furniture You Buy Affects Your Renovation Cost

Movable furniture (not in-built) is a major component of the cost of furnishing your home. Typically, this cost is not calculated within the renovation cost in Singapore. It is uncommon, but not unheard of, for homeowners to use their existing furniture if the items are in good condition. That said, since space is a major constraint in most Singaporean homes, it’s best to buy furniture that fits into the scope of your new home.

If you opt to renovate your home with Livspace, our interior designers will help you pick just the right kind of furniture from our partner brands including IKEA, Crate & Barrel, Castlery, Hin Lim and others. 

#5: Hiring an Interior Designer

Are you wondering if and why you need an interior designer to renovate your home? Let’s help you out with the reasons. 

You definitely need an interior designer to furnish your home because;

• Interior designers are experts who understand that good design is far more than just aesthetics.
• They can help you create functional spaces and make the most of the space available in your home. 
• They personalise spaces in your home to reflect your personality, taste and style.
• If you want go for a specific style like Scandinavian or Industrial, there is no one better than a designer to renovate your home
• You can save both time and money by avoiding expensive renovation mishaps and mistakes.

When you sign up with Livspace, we include the cost of your interior designer (and quote it separately) with your price estimate. This gives you complete clarity on how much you are paying for their services. So when you meet your interior designer for the first time, make sure you ask these essential questions. 

What Increases the Renovation Cost in Singapore?

Certain specific design features tend to shoot up the renovation cost for homes. This is because the price of these elements is substantially higher than other alternatives within their category. Here’s a comprehensive list of features that can be considered ‘splurges’ during renovation.

#1: Fancy Tiling 

Any tiling that is not the usual vitrified tiles costs more. So if you want to opt for marble, granite or mosaic tiles for your walls or floors, expect a substantial rise in the renovation cost in Singapore. Similarly, if you want to use tiles of larger dimensions (more than 2 x 2 inches) for a more seamless look, then the compensation is higher. 

For more budget floor ideas for your home, check out these budget living room floor tiles.

#2: Ceiling Detailing

Detailed false ceilings tend to cost quite a bit when compared to normal ceilings. If you want features like rounded details, L-box or U-box shapes or cove lighting for your ceiling, expect the final price to shoot up. 

#3: Platform Beds 

Platform beds are popular in Singapore, especially for compact bedrooms. This kind of raised bed offers additional storage options in the bedroom without taking up too much additional space. However, the carpentry charges for this type of integrated and multi-functional furniture is higher than usual.

#4: Shelving and Partitions

Open shelves and niches (sometimes with profile lighting) can quickly add up to become an expensive design feature in your home. Moreover, installing partitions too tends to raise the final renovation cost in Singapore homes.

#5: Customised Furniture in Unusual Shapes

Customising your furniture is a great way to make your home stand out, but they will bring up the overall price of your renovations. Rounded furniture or furniture that has oblique/unusual shapes (like hexagonal, abstract etc.) costs more than furniture in common forms. The prior has more novelty and stands out as a statement. If that is your intention, the extra cost is a matter of choice. 

How to Finance Your Home Renovation?

Now that you know how much you are going to be spending on your home renovation, it’s time to think about your finances. Are you planning to take a renovation loan or can you manage without it? We have a solution for all the worried homeowners—UOB Personal Loan, which can help you overcome cash flow shortfalls for various purposes, including home renovation.

How is a Renovation Loan Different From a Personal Loan?

While a renovation loan is a loan facility that can be availed solely for the purpose of refreshing or renovating one’s home, a personal loan allows more flexibility. The sanctioned fund under a personal loan can be used at the user’s discretion, including renovation of their home.

	Personal Loan	Renovation Loan
Loan amount	Up to 4X renovation loan	Capped at S$30,000
Usage	Flexible	Only for renovation
Cash disbursement	Almost instant (Disbursed to customer’s savings account)	Time-consuming (Disbursed to renovation company)
Paperwork involved	Negligible	Can take some time

With a personal loan, you may be able to use the funds for issues that arise unexpectedly such as cash flow shortfall. Or you can even use it to set aside some of the funds for furnishing your new home.

How Can Livspace Help You with Your Personal Loan?

We at Livspace have tied up with UOB as our banking partner for renovations. As a part of this strategic tie-up, UOB is offering interest-free personal loans* to individuals for the first year. You can borrow up to 5 years with affordable fixed monthly repayment and get your interest waived for the first year. So, your home renovation budget is taken care of and is in safe hands.

And getting your loan processed is as easy as eating your favourite dessert. All you need is 15 minutes of your time to fill up the application form and get your loan processed.

*Terms and conditions apply

Now that your mind is at rest regarding the cost of renovating your home, find out more here: Your 2021 Home Renovation Cost Guide for Every Type of Property. 

We would love to hear from you! Write to us at editor.sg@livspace.com.