Planning a home renovation in Singapore can be exciting, but there is usually one question that comes up first: how much will it cost?
The answer depends on several factors. These include the type of property, whether it is new or resale, the size of the home, the amount of carpentry required, and how much work you want to do.
In 2026, a straightforward HDB renovation may cost around $40,000, while a large landed property with extensive works can cost well over $500,000.
For most homeowners, the actual cost will fall somewhere in between.
Home Renovation Cost in Singapore at a Glance
Here is a useful starting point for planning your renovation budget:
| Property Type | Typical 2026 Renovation Budget |
|---|---|
| 3-room BTO | $40,800 – $52,500 |
| 4-room BTO | $50,000 – $60,000 |
| 5-room BTO | $60,600 – $76,500 |
| 3-room resale HDB | $55,000 – $68,300 |
| 4-room resale HDB | $70,000 – $81,600 |
| 5-room resale HDB | $80,800 – $98,900 |
| New condo | $44,290 – $62,160 |
| Resale condo | $78,280 – $105,000 |
| Landed property | $100,000 – $500,000+ depending on scope |
These figures should be treated as planning ranges rather than fixed prices. Your actual quotation may be lower or higher depending on the condition of the property and the specifications you choose.
Qanvast’s 2026 HDB figures are based on projected costs from its renovation project data. Its condo figures are based on 2025 project data adjusted for expected cost increases.
How Much Does Home Renovation Cost in Singapore?
There is no single average renovation cost that applies to every home in Singapore.
A new 4-room BTO that already has flooring and bathroom fittings can require much less work than a 30-year-old resale HDB flat that needs new flooring, bathroom works, electrical rewiring and extensive carpentry.
Similarly, renovating a new condominium is very different from renovating an older landed property.
A better way to think about renovation costs is to look at the scope of work, rather than just the size of the property.
Basic Renovation
A basic renovation usually involves painting, lighting, selected carpentry, flooring overlays and other cosmetic improvements.
You may spend approximately:
$20,000 – $40,000 for a smaller apartment
This type of renovation is more suitable for homeowners who are keeping their existing flooring, bathrooms and kitchen fittings.
Mid-Range Renovation
A mid-range renovation might include a new kitchen, wardrobes, feature walls, flooring, lighting, electrical works and one or two bathrooms.
A reasonable starting budget is:
$40,000 – $80,000 for an HDB or smaller apartment
This is where many homeowners will find themselves.
Full Renovation
A full renovation typically involves substantial hacking, masonry, wet works, carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, painting and new fittings.
For an HDB or condominium, this can easily reach:
$70,000 – $120,000+
Larger homes and higher-end specifications can cost considerably more.
HDB Renovation Cost in Singapore
HDB renovation costs are generally easier to estimate than landed renovations because flats are relatively standardised in size and structure.
However, there is a significant difference between renovating a new BTO and renovating an older resale flat.
BTO Renovation Cost
New BTO flats are generally cheaper to renovate because the property is relatively new.
There is usually less need for hacking, repairs, replacement of old plumbing or rewiring.
For 2026, Qanvast estimates:
- 3-room BTO: $40,800 – $52,500
- 4-room BTO: $50,000 – $60,000
- 5-room BTO: $60,600 – $76,500
These figures are based on projected inflation from 2025 renovation project data.
A 4-room BTO with a straightforward Scandinavian or minimalist design, moderate carpentry and limited hacking could reasonably fall around the $50,000 to $60,000 range.
However, extensive built-in storage, a large kitchen island, feature walls, concealed doors, curved carpentry and customised lighting can push the budget higher.
Resale HDB Renovation Cost
Resale HDB flats usually cost more to renovate because there is often more work to do before the new finishes can be installed.
You may need to remove existing flooring, tiles, kitchen cabinets and built-ins. Older flats may also require electrical rewiring, plumbing repairs or other remedial works.
For 2026, Qanvast estimates:
- 3-room resale: $55,000 – $68,300
- 4-room resale: $70,000 – $81,600
- 5-room resale: $80,800 – $98,900
This is why a resale flat can cost tens of thousands more to renovate than a new BTO, even when the floor area is similar.
Why Do Resale HDB Renovations Cost More?
The biggest difference is often not the size of the flat. It is the amount of work required.
An older resale flat may require:
- Hacking and disposal
- New flooring
- Bathroom hacking and waterproofing
- New wall tiles
- Kitchen demolition
- Electrical rewiring
- Plumbing replacement
- New lighting points
- Air-conditioning installation
- Replacement doors
- Repair of damaged walls
- More extensive painting and plastering
The older the property, the more important it is to inspect the condition of the home before committing to a renovation budget.
HDB Renovation Cost by Flat Size
If you are trying to establish a budget before speaking to an interior designer, these figures provide a useful starting point.
3-Room HDB Renovation
A 3-room BTO renovation can start around $40,000, while a resale unit may be closer to $55,000 or more for a more comprehensive renovation.
A smaller floor area does not automatically mean a cheap renovation.
Small homes often require more careful space planning and custom carpentry because every square metre matters.
4-Room HDB Renovation
The 4-room flat remains one of the most common renovation projects in Singapore.
A realistic 2026 budget is approximately:
$50,000 – $80,000
A new BTO is generally at the lower end, while a resale flat with extensive hacking, wet works and carpentry can move towards or beyond the upper end.
5-Room HDB Renovation
A 5-room flat provides more space but also requires more materials, flooring, lighting, carpentry and painting.
A reasonable 2026 budget is:
$60,000 – $100,000+
The upper end becomes more relevant if you want extensive built-in storage, a large kitchen, multiple feature walls or premium materials.
Condominium Renovation Cost in Singapore
Condo renovation costs are more difficult to generalise because there is a big difference between new and resale developments.
For 2026, Qanvast estimates:
- New condominium: $44,290 – $62,160
- Resale condominium: $78,280 – $105,000
The figures are based on 2025 renovation project data adjusted for projected increases of around 3% to 5%.
New Condo Renovation Cost
A new condominium may already come with:
- Flooring
- Kitchen cabinets
- Bathroom fittings
- Sanitary ware
- Wardrobes
- Air-conditioning
- Lighting points
This means renovation may technically be optional.
However, many homeowners still renovate because the developer’s standard fittings may not match their preferred style or storage needs.
You may not need to renovate much, but once you start customising everything, the cost can increase quickly.
Curved carpentry, full-height wardrobes, platform beds, concealed doors and customised ceilings can add significantly to the cost because they require more labour and fabrication.
Resale Condo Renovation Cost
Resale condos are usually more expensive to renovate because they are more likely to require a full overhaul.
Common works include:
- Hacking
- New flooring
- Bathroom renovation
- Kitchen renovation
- Plumbing
- Electrical rewiring
- Painting
- Carpentry
- Air-conditioning
- Lighting
- Ceiling works
For older resale condos, it is also sensible to keep a contingency budget.
Problems such as deteriorated plumbing, water seepage or damaged flooring may only become apparent after existing finishes are removed.
Landed Property Renovation Cost in Singapore
Landed properties are in a different category altogether.
There is no useful single average because the cost depends on the land size, built-up area, number of storeys, age of the house and whether structural changes are involved.
A simple interior renovation may cost around $100,000 or less, while a comprehensive landed renovation can reach $200,000 to $500,000 or more.
Once you move into substantial additions and alterations, reconstruction or rebuilding, the budget can easily exceed $500,000.
For planning purposes:
Light Landed Renovation
$80,000 – $150,000
Typically involving:
- Painting
- Flooring
- Selected carpentry
- Kitchen improvements
- Bathroom improvements
- Lighting
- Minor electrical work
Full Interior Renovation
$150,000 – $400,000+
May include:
- Complete flooring replacement
- Multiple bathrooms
- New kitchen
- Extensive carpentry
- Electrical rewiring
- Plumbing
- Air-conditioning
- Ceiling works
- Major hacking
- Waterproofing
- External works
A&A or Reconstruction
$500,000 – $1 million+
At this point, you are no longer talking about a conventional interior renovation.
Structural alterations, extensions, roof works, additional floor area and reconstruction introduce professional fees, approvals, structural engineering and substantially higher construction costs.
URA’s guidelines distinguish between ordinary improvements and more significant additions and alterations to landed homes. Certain structural changes and increases in gross floor area can determine whether a proposal qualifies as A&A or is treated as reconstruction.
What Makes a Home Renovation Expensive?
The final renovation cost is rarely determined by one item.
It is usually the combination of several major areas of work.
1. Carpentry
Carpentry is often one of the largest components of a Singapore home renovation.
This includes:
- Kitchen cabinets
- Wardrobes
- TV consoles
- Shoe cabinets
- Study tables
- Feature walls
- Storage cabinets
- Platform beds
- Vanity units
Qanvast’s 2026 survey of more than 300 homeowners found that carpentry was the most costly aspect of home renovation.
This makes sense in Singapore, where smaller homes often mean homeowners rely heavily on built-in storage.
2. Hacking and Masonry
Hacking may look like a straightforward line item, but the actual cost includes demolition, labour, debris removal and rebuilding.
Masonry can include:
- Floor tiles
- Wall tiles
- Screeding
- Waterproofing
- Bathroom works
- Kitchen works
- Plastering
Hacking becomes particularly significant for resale properties.
3. Flooring
Flooring costs depend on both the material and the amount of preparation required.
Options include:
- Vinyl
- Laminate
- Porcelain tiles
- Ceramic tiles
- Homogeneous tiles
- Marble
- Timber
- Engineered wood
One way to reduce renovation costs is to retain flooring that is still in good condition.
For example, a resale condo with good-quality marble or parquet flooring may only require polishing or refinishing instead of complete removal.
4. Bathrooms
Bathrooms can become expensive because several different trades are involved.
A typical bathroom renovation may involve:
- Hacking
- Waterproofing
- Tiling
- Plumbing
- Sanitary fittings
- Shower fittings
- Vanity
- Glass shower screen
- Lighting
- Ceiling works
For HDB flats, homeowners also need to follow HDB’s rules regarding bathroom renovations.
For example, HDB imposes a three-year restriction on removing developer-provided bathroom wall and floor finishes in newly completed blocks because of the waterproofing system.
5. Electrical Work
Older homes may need substantially more electrical work than new properties.
You may want additional:
- Power points
- Lighting points
- USB outlets
- Appliance points
- Air-conditioning points
- Water heater points
- Data points
A homeowner renovating an older resale flat should therefore avoid assuming that the electrical budget will be similar to a new BTO.
For HDB flats, electrical works must be carried out by an EMA-licensed electrical worker.
How Much Should You Keep Aside for Unexpected Renovation Costs?
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is treating the initial quotation as the final amount.
Renovation projects can uncover problems that could not reasonably be identified beforehand.
Examples include:
- Damaged pipes
- Water seepage
- Uneven floors
- Hidden electrical problems
- Damaged waterproofing
- Structural issues
- Additional hacking
- Changes requested during construction
Qanvast’s 2026 homeowner survey found that hidden or unexpected costs were the biggest source of renovation anxiety.
A sensible approach is to keep around 10% to 20% of your renovation budget as a contingency.
For example:
$60,000 renovation budget
10% contingency = $6,000
20% contingency = $12,000
Your practical cash requirement would therefore be around:
$66,000 – $72,000
This does not mean you should spend the contingency.
Ideally, you finish the renovation without touching it. But if something unexpected happens, you have room to deal with it without compromising the rest of the project.
Renovation Budget vs Furniture and Appliances
Another common budgeting mistake is assuming that the renovation quotation represents the total amount required to move into the home.
It often does not.
Depending on the quotation, you may still need to pay separately for:
- Sofa
- Dining table
- Dining chairs
- Bed
- Mattress
- Refrigerator
- Washing machine
- Dryer
- Television
- Curtains
- Blinds
- Loose lighting
- Decorative lighting
- Home appliances
- Smart-home devices
Qanvast recommends allowing another $10,000 to $30,000 for furnishings and appliances, depending on your requirements.
So a $60,000 renovation does not necessarily mean you need only $60,000 to set up the entire home.
A more realistic calculation might be:
- Renovation: $60,000
- Furniture and appliances: $20,000
- Contingency: $8,000
- Total: $88,000
This is a much more useful number when planning your finances.
How to Reduce Your Home Renovation Cost
You do not necessarily need a cheap renovation.
You need a renovation where your money is spent on the things that matter to you.
Keep Existing Flooring Where Possible
If existing flooring is still in good condition, consider retaining it or overlaying it instead of hacking it out.
This can save on demolition, disposal, materials and installation costs.
Reduce Unnecessary Carpentry
Built-in storage is useful, but not every wall needs a cabinet.
Consider which items genuinely benefit from being built in.
A combination of custom carpentry and loose furniture can sometimes provide better value.
Prioritise the Kitchen and Bathrooms
These are areas where functionality matters.
If your budget is limited, it may make more sense to spend on durable kitchen hardware, good bathroom fittings and proper waterproofing rather than expensive decorative features.
Be Careful With Feature Walls
Feature walls can look impressive, but multiple layers of decorative finishes, curved details, fluted panels and customised lighting can add up quickly.
Ask whether the feature contributes to the way you actually use the home.
Avoid Changing the Layout Unnecessarily
Moving walls, doors, plumbing points and electrical points can increase both cost and project complexity.
If the existing layout works, consider improving the finishes and storage instead.
Compare Quotations Based on Scope
The cheapest quotation is not necessarily the cheapest renovation.
One company may quote $45,000 while another quotes $55,000.
But if the $45,000 quotation excludes electrical works, certain carpentry, painting, fittings or disposal costs, the apparent saving may disappear later.
Compare quotations line by line, not just by the final number.
HDB Renovation Rules You Should Know
Renovation cost is only one part of the equation.
HDB homeowners also need to comply with renovation rules.
HDB states that homeowners should engage contractors listed in its Directory of Renovation Contractors, and certain demolition and hacking works require prior written approval.
There are also restrictions on renovation hours. General renovation works are generally limited to specified weekday and Saturday hours, while noisy works such as hacking and heavy drilling have more restrictive timings.
This matters because renovation restrictions can affect your project schedule and, indirectly, the cost.
Condo Renovation Rules
Condominium renovations are also subject to building management requirements.
Every development can have its own MCST rules regarding:
- Renovation hours
- Hacking
- Lift usage
- Debris removal
- Contractor access
- Delivery timings
- Protection of common areas
- Permits and deposits
These restrictions can affect the number of working hours available to contractors and therefore influence labour costs.
Before signing a renovation contract, check the condo’s renovation handbook and management requirements.
Landed Renovation Requires More Planning
Landed renovation gives homeowners much more flexibility, but that flexibility comes with significantly more complexity.
Depending on the project, you may need to consider:
- Structural engineering
- Architectural plans
- Planning permission
- BCA requirements
- URA requirements
- Drainage
- Roofing
- Waterproofing
- Electrical systems
- Plumbing
- Air-conditioning
- External works
- Addition and alteration works
URA’s landed housing guidelines cover when planning permission is required and the criteria governing additions and alterations.
If you are buying an older landed property specifically because you intend to extend or substantially alter it, the renovation budget should be considered before purchasing the property, not after.
What Is a Realistic Home Renovation Budget in Singapore?
If you want a simple rule of thumb for 2026, you can start here:
HDB BTO
$40,000 – $75,000
HDB Resale
$55,000 – $100,000+
New Condo
$45,000 – $65,000
Resale Condo
$80,000 – $110,000+
Landed Property
$100,000 – $500,000+
Major Landed A&A / Reconstruction
$500,000 – $1 million+
These are not fixed market prices. They are useful starting points for deciding whether your expectations and budget are broadly aligned.
The Most Important Question Is Not “How Much Does Renovation Cost?”
It is:
“What do I actually need my renovation to achieve?”
Two homeowners can renovate identical 4-room HDB flats and spend completely different amounts.
One may spend $45,000 on essential carpentry, flooring, lighting and painting.
Another may spend $90,000 on extensive carpentry, premium finishes, feature walls, concealed doors, smart-home systems and customised lighting.
Neither is necessarily making a better decision.
The better renovation is the one that gives you the right balance between function, design, durability and cost.
Start with your priorities.
Then determine the scope.
Then establish your budget.
Only after that should you start comparing renovation quotations.
Final Thoughts
Home renovation in Singapore is a significant investment, and the cost can vary by tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the property and scope.
For most homeowners, a sensible starting point is to budget around $50,000 to $80,000 for a typical HDB renovation, $45,000 to $105,000 for a condominium renovation, and $100,000 upwards for a landed property.
The important thing is not to chase the lowest renovation quotation.
Instead, look for a clear scope of work, transparent pricing, realistic timelines and a renovation plan that fits how you actually live.
A well-planned renovation should not simply make your home look better.
It should make your home work better for you.
At Yintian, we believe good interior design should balance how a home looks with how it actually works for the people living in it.
