If you engage in any home improvement projects, you will probably work with a renovation contractor directly or indirectly. Renovation contractors can help turn your dream home into a reality. Check out more information about renovations at our cost guides.
11 Best Renovation Contractors in Singapore
Companies | Services | Address | Ratings |
Homees Concierge Service | Homees Concierge Service Team - tell us what you need and we'll help get it solved. Talk to us today by giving us a call or Whatsapp us now. | 994 Bendemeer #03-04 Singapore 339943 | Average Rating: 5/5 |
AT Identity | - HDB and Condo Renovations | 50 Bukit Batok Street 23, #08-02 Midview Building Singapore 659578 | Average Rating: 5/5 |
Reno Guys Pte Ltd | - Renovation Contractors | 71 Woodlands Ave 10 Woodlands Industrial Xchange #07-18 Singapore 737743 | Average Rating: 5/5 |
Jaystone Renovation Contractor | - TV Feature Wall | 1090 Lower Delta Road #03-07N Singapore 169201 | Average Rating: 5/5 |
Paramount Construction | - Painter | 2 Yishun industrial st 1 North Point Bizhub #08-14 Singapore 768159 | Average Rating: 5/5 |
D'ark Interior | - Custom Furniture Building | E9 Premium 61 Woodlands Industrial Park E9 Woodlands Singapore 757881 | Average Rating: 5/5 |
Hume Design & Tiling | - Tiling Contractor | 10 Admiralty St, #05-65 Singapore 757695 | Average Rating: 5/5 |
Larry Contractors Pte Ltd | - Renovation Contractors | 5 Kaki Bukit Road 2, City Warehouse #01-08/ #02-08 Singapore 417839 | Average Rating: 5/5 |
Sparkflow Pte Ltd | - Electrical Inspection | 14-619 Compassvale Walk Singapore 541224 | Average Rating: 5/5 |
D'Brain Studio | - Kitchen Interior Designers | 21, Woodlands Close #03-30, Primz Bizhub Singapore 737854 | Average Rating: 5/5 |
Ban Yew Interior Design | - Renovation Contractors | Blk 1006 Eunos Ave 7 #01-24 Singapore 409577 | Average Rating: 5/5 |
AT Identity | - Renovation Contractors | 50 Bukit Batok Street 23, #08-02 Midview Building Singapore 659578 | Average Rating: 5/5 |
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Renovation Cost Breakdown
How much does it cost to renovate in Singapore? Prices vary depending on apartment size, type of property, the number of renovation works, and other factors. The table below shows the estimated renovation price for different types of property.
Type of Housing | Estimated Cost |
3-room BTO renovation | S$25,000 to S$45,000 |
4-room BTO renovation | S$33,000 to S$58,000 |
5-room BTO renovation | S$38,000 to S$65,000 |
3-room resale renovation | S$30,000 to S$65,000 |
4-room resale renovation | S$38,000 to S$73,000 |
5-room resale renovation | S$50,000 to S$82,000 |
Condominium renovation (depending on size) | S$40,000 to S$120,000 |
Hacking or building wall sections
Hacking and building walls to create space in your home can be an expensive decision. This is especially so if you choose to do partial hacking.
Depending on how much you want to change from the original design, hacking of walls can constitute a big part of your home improvement project, too, especially if they require approval from relevant buildings or government authorities.
Hacking a wall can turn two small rooms into one large room, which gives your home design flexibility and space.
Many people have the misconception that partial hacking is cheaper than completely hacking their wall, but on the contrary, partial hacking requires more precision and skills.
As such, when you factor in the cost of hiring someone skilled enough to do the partial hacking for you, partial hacking could be more expensive than hacking off the wall completely.
The average cost of knocking down a wall is around $300 – $500. Of course, you should consider all factors when demolishing your wall. This includes:
- Whether it is a load-bearing wall.
A load-bearing wall supports your house. It is one of the pillars that hold the structure and foundation of your home.
You must be cautious when you plan on removing one of these walls. One wrong move could potentially cause a safety hazard to your home. Also, the decision to remove a load-bearing wall may not be approved by your homeland’s regulations.
- If the walls have mechanicals such as pipes, wiring, etc…
If you are removing a wall that is used to cover and hold the mentioned structural works, it will definitely cost more. You will need to get a professional plumber or electrician to ensure that the plumbing work or wires do not cause problems for the other parts of your house.
Living Room Prices
The living room is the first area that visitors see and form an impression of your home when they first enter. As such, people tend to put more detail and effort into decorating their living rooms.
You will probably see feature walls and statement pieces to set the mood for the room.
Possible living room renovation costs:
- Feature walls can cost from $900 to $4,000.
- Lights: Statement and hanging lights could cost you from $1,000 to $2,000
- Electrical appliances: This will include your television, sound system, and so on, and ranging from the quality of the pieces, it could set you back about $1,000 to $10,000
Kitchen Prices
How much will kitchen renovation cost? If you love cooking, then the probability of you spending a fair bit of time in the kitchen would be high.
The design of your kitchen, though seemingly minute, is actually a crucial space that can either make or break the design of your house.
Other than considering the aesthetics, you will also need to think about the practicality and functionality of the space.
When performing heavy-duty chores like cooking and cleaning, you must ensure that your walls, flooring, and tabletops do not suffer the brunt.
Moreover, be aware of the electrical wiring and plumbing work in your kitchen. This is an important point to consider when renovating your kitchen, as it will determine the best layout without needing to redo the electric wiring or plumbing work.
Possible kitchen renovation costs:
- Kitchen cabinet(varying from the material chosen): $150-$400 per square foot
- Electric appliances: this would include your oven, refrigerator, washing machine and so on. Appliances could easily set you back from $1,500 to $10,000. Some people are willing to invest in home appliances due to their functions and durability of it, and this of course comes at a hefty price.
- Sink and mixer: $800- $2,000
- Kitchen countertop: $2,600 – $7,000 depending on the material you have chosen.
For more details and kitchen renovation costs, you can check out our kitchen renovation cost guide. If you want to find the costs of home appliances, we also have a home appliances cost guide. You can view kitchen interior design ideas to get some inspiration for your next kitchen renovation.
The important thing to note when planning your home renovation budget is to divide and conquer. It is important to have a clear idea of what is needed versus what you want.
Eliminate all things that are not essential, and if you have extra money to splurge, then go for the “wants.” Home renovation is costly, and how much you will break your bank varies greatly depending on your decisions.
Sit down with your interior designer to discuss thoroughly to get a better estimate on how much your renovation work will cost.
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Roof
Many people tend to overlook their roofs, but your house roof is equally important as the rest of your house. Not only does the roof complete your home, but it is also important in trapping heat or helping to cool it.
The average cost of a completely new roof is around $7000, although prices for roof remodelling range from $4500 to $9000. Of course, prices depend on the amount of work done.
Roof asphalt shingles cost, on average, around $1,700 to $8,400. Here is a more specific cost breakdown for some materials that can be used for roof asphalt shingles:
Types of Material | Average Cost |
Wood | $6,800-$20,000 |
Metal | $25,500-$39,000 |
Tile | $7,00-$60,000 |
When planning your roof renovation, do note what you are going to do with the attic – turn it into a storage room or use it as a living space.
If you plan to use the attic as an additional living space, it is crucial that the structure of your roof allows for ventilation.
Bear in mind that there will also be a need for insulation.
- Between-rafter insulation
- Above-rafter insulation
- Under-rafter insulation
Carpentry
As homes have different dimensions, most of our homes require custom furniture. Hence, custom carpentry services are an integral part of a home renovation. Its costs depend on how much furniture you need and the brand of finishes used, such as laminate, hinges, drawer tracks, etc.
Cost of carpentry based on level
- Light work: $250 – $3500
- Moderate work: $3500 – $6000
- Heavy work: $6000 to $23, 500
That said, you can always shop for ready-made furniture from lots of channels like IKEA, or even local furniture companies. Alternatively, you can find companies that make customised furniture or custom cabinetry.
Flooring
Common flooring materials include ceramic, laminate, vinyl, parquet, granite and marble. Flooring plays a significant part of any home and is a high cost for most home renovation projects in Singapore. With various options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to choose the best flooring for your home. To find out more about flooring prices, check out our flooring cost guide.
Cost of different types of flooring:
- Vinyl – $7 per piece
- Laminate – $5.50 to $8 per square foot
- Cement Screed– $14 to $28 per square foot
- Marble– $15 to $70 per square foot
- Hardwood – $25 to $50 per square foot
- Terrazzo – $30 – $80 per square foot
- Ceramic Tiles- $9 to $12 per square foot
Air-conditioning Systems
Air-conditioning systems aren’t cheap. Wiring, running pipes and installing aircon units for the entire home can easily cost thousands of dollars and should be factored into your renovation budget.
The different types of aircon also affect prices quite drastically (like aircon systems that connect to a smart home system), so be sure to compare aircon installation quotes before hiring a company.
What does a renovation contractor do?
Contractors generally execute the renovation work requested by the homeowners. Depending on the requirements, contractors might need to hire external subcontractors to carry out some of the work.
A Singapore general building contractor will work with your architect to review the plan as you build a house, ensure everything is in place before work is started, and arrange for permits and necessary inspections. Interior designers, on the other hand, is someone who coordinates and manages your renovation project.
An interior designer is able to execute the project from start to finish, from visualising your dream home to engaging renovation contractors for your home. Because the contractors are the ones executing the work, it is important for you to qualify and make sure they have prior experience working in a project similar to yours. One good habit is to call past customers for references, carefully read reviews and visit their completed projects in Singapore.
How to Calculate Renovation Costs?
Trying to find out your renovation costs can be stressful, especially if you’re a first-time homeowner. The final cost of your renovation depends on the following:
Property Type
Are you living in a 3-room BTO or a condominium? Is it new or a resale? Does it come with existing fittings? You may be charged at a higher price due to the following:
- Hacking of walls/tiles
- Piping works
- Toilet fittings
- Electrical works (Rewiring, installing switches, etc.)
- Extra space (for resales that are larger than new BTOs.)
Amount of Work Done
More work means higher renovation costs, especially in hacking and carpentry. If you insist on hacking your walls, avoid partial walls because they cost more than fully hacked walls.
Number of Materials Used
This usually involves the type of materials used for your flooring and countertop. Premium materials like marble and quartz will cost more than other materials.
The Contractor/Interior Designer You Choose
Although hiring them costs more, consider the extra costs to cover the mistakes you make if you are thinking of renovating yourself.
Interior Design Theme
Some interior designs cost more than others. (Eg. Minimalistic designs are cheaper due to their simplicity.) You can refer to the table in the next section to look at the estimated renovation costs for each interior style.
How to Reduce Renovation Costs in Singapore?
1. Know your cost trend
It is good to ask around your family and friends to get a rough estimation of how much your home renovation potentially cost.
In addition, by asking around, you can source potential contractors or interior designers that have proven to be reliable and trustworthy.
Property Type | Renovation Costs |
HDB | $44,000 to $67,000 |
Condominium | $39,00 to $82,000 |
Room Type | Renovation Costs |
$6,000 to $70,000 | |
$6,000 to $40,000 | |
$4,000 to $27,000 |
Interior Design Style | Renovation Costs |
$55,000 to $350,000 | |
$51,000 to $650,000 | |
$52,000 to $420,000 | |
$51,000 to $140,000 | |
$45,000 to $350,000 | |
$60,000 to $370,000 |
It usually costs more to renovate resale apartments as you often have to tear/ hack down certain existing features and possibly rebuild them.
Also, for the older estates, sometimes you would have to change and replace the wiring or plumbing work. Most of the time, homeowners will wish to change the flooring even though it is one of the main factors contributing to the high renovation cost.
2. Plan your budget
Budget planning plays a crucial role when renovating your home. It helps you determine what you can and cannot do while giving you a preliminary estimation of the expected costs. Of course, you should always leave some gap for unplanned expenses so you don’t end up with an incomplete living room, kitchen or toilet.
3. Do your research
Doing your research beforehand to find out how much an average interior design costs in Singapore will dramatically improve your planning efficiency. Of course, you can hire a professional interior designer. Check the online reviews and portfolios to match your reno needs.
4. Plan your purchases carefully
Comparing prices is an excellent way to maximise your savings. If you’re not in a rush, you can wait for specific sales periods like the annual Great Singapore Sale, Christmas, or Black Friday.
Purchasing items during these periods will be worth the wait as it allows you to keep to your budget. You can use the extra savings to purchase other items your budget did not allow before.
5. Differentiate needs from wants
Differentiating needs from wants can be difficult for most new homeowners since they are still fresh from the excitement of building their new homes. After all, they are buying a house for the first time, and knowing what their new home needs can be tough. Thus, many of them fall into the trap of buying everything they think would look good in their living room.
In such cases, the best you can do is only buy items that will make your home functional. Always ask yourself if and what purpose they will serve in your home. If they don’t, then you shouldn’t hurry up and leave them until you’ve settled down.
6. Do-It-Yourself
Don’t be afraid to do some of the simpler tasks yourself. For example, assemble your own furniture instead of hiring external assemblers to do it for you. This gives you a sense of responsibility for your new home’s renovation process and helps you save money. You would be surprised at the satisfaction you can get after witnessing the transformation progress that you played a part in.
However, do not get overconfident and take over the entire renovation process yourself. Certain tasks are better done by professionals like the installation of gas pipes or the construction of your toilet. Attempting to do these tasks yourself may have serious repercussions for the safety of your home.
7. Draw inspiration online
There are a plethora of online sites that contain various tips on renovating your new home that can benefit you in Singapore. Check out these sites for inspiration and ideas to visualise what you wish to achieve once the renovation is completed. One example would be our article on the top interior design ideas for styling your home in Singapore.
8. Use laminate material for your kitchen countertop
Most people cannot distinguish between quartz, granite, and marble, and using a high-grade material will not result in a drastic visual difference. The materials mentioned can be up to $40-$80 per square foot for countertop costs.
By going for cheaper materials such as laminate, you can save that extra cash and use it to purchase the appliances you need for your house.
9. Having laminate finishes for your carpenter work
In comparison to wood veneers and melamine, laminate finishes are a popular choice due to their affordability and sheer variety.
Furthermore, choosing solid colours and matte finishes generally costs less than options with prints or textured finishes.
10. Don’t have false ceilings unless needed
The main purpose of a false ceiling is to conceal certain wiring and maybe alter the appearance of the ceiling, so if you have no purpose for it, do away with it.
False ceilings can cost anywhere from $4-$6 per square foot and could add a sizeable dent to your wallet. So, if it’s not an absolute priority for your home, you may want to reconsider including it. However, if you have a bigger budget, you can look at our ceiling cost guide for prices of false ceiling installation.
11. Do not refurbish your toilet unnecessarily
Renovating your toilet often involves demolishing and clearing everything away. The latter may include the faucets, sinks, and cabinets – all of which can possibly cost thousands of dollars.
The approximate cost for reinstalling a new bathroom is about $8,000-$12,000 (full bathroom). Thus, if your bathroom is in good working condition, you might want to hold off a little longer.
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12. Having an elaborate kitchen island
Kitchen islands have been a home trend since the early 2000s. However, such a complex design often costs as low as $300 to $10,000.
Furthermore, having a kitchen island can lead to potential complications. These include installing pipes and wiring for water and electricity, which could potentially delay your home renovation project and result in additional costs.
13. Natural light over recessed lights
When you are choosing and planning your house design, try to incorporate as much natural light as possible. Natural light not only helps to make your home lighter and airier but also saves the money needed to install recessed lights around it.
More often than not, if you need a substantial number of lights in your house to brighten it up, the odds are that you will have to add additional electrical wiring and power points and possibly build a false ceiling to cover the wires up. This then adds to the cost of your home renovation. For details on the costs of lighting, you can check out our electrical cost guide.
One good tip for letting in as much natural light as possible is to install larger windows and opt for neutral and light-coloured walls. This will allow the light to bounce off your walls and brighten your home.
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14. Revamp over the renovation
Many times, you might not need to change and renovate most parts of your house to give it a facelift. Step aside, relook at the furniture and decorative pieces that you have in your house, and get a second opinion if need be.
Most of the time, we might just have to shift a few items here and there to make your home layout and design look different. This helps you save money and the time and effort needed to hire and redo your house.
You can also repurpose old furniture into new built-ins. Know what furniture you already own and how you can use it differently.
For instance, when remodelling a living room, consider using an old side table with one level of drawers as a coffee table for the new space or an old solid wooded round table under the staircase to add decorative elements like flower vases.
Another tip is to repaint the walls of your house. If you are bold, try using strong colours if your house already has a warm and neutral palette. This simple step could give your home a totally different outlook. You can find out how much it costs to paint a room in our painting cost guide.
15. Split Your HDB Renovation Into Different Phases
Built-in works for kitchens & bedrooms, painting and plumbing should be done first, as they can become troublesome and messy to work on once you move in. Start by doing the essentials first and then gradually go for other HDB renovations. Zoom in on the finer to add more aesthetic details.
16. Go For Cost-Saving Themes
The design of your home plays a huge role in the renovation cost. Usually, the cost of your renovation increases with the degree of how traditional your new home is. A house with minimal décors like minimalist interior design or MUJI interior design would be cheaper to renovate than a house with a sense of opulence.
You can also go for the Scandinavian style, which is always a hot trend. Pair the interiors with bright yet neutral colours, add stylish cost-friendly furniture and give your home an on-trend Scandinavian look.
17. Don’t purchase unnecessary frills
This refers to the point about differentiating your needs and wants. Once you have decided what is essential for your new home, it is time to determine whether the rest would ever make it to the list. There are certain things that you can live without and have no place in your new home.
One such example would be purchasing a carpet for your living room. Aside from aesthetic purposes, carpets have absolutely no place in modern homes. Owning a carpet not only requires constant maintenance, but it is also such a chore to clean. It is better to live without such unnecessary frills in your new home.
After all, you wouldn’t want to spend thousands of dollars renovating your floor only to cover it up with a carpet.
18. Avoid Wallpapers
Wallpapers can be costly, as their cost depends not only on the amount of paper you need but also on the quality of the paper you choose. Of course, with increased durability and paper colouration, the cost to manufacture and produce the wallpaper will surely increase.
Costs and considerations
Wallpapers can cost from $20 to $5000 per roll. While hand-printed and digitally printed designs may vary in price, you should also consider the installation price. Since putting wallpaper on your wall requires skill, you should consider hiring a professional to ensure the edges are smooth and the wallpaper goes on seamlessly.
As such, the cost of a handyman must be included as well. When you add up all the miscellaneous costs, you can see why wallpaper is expensive.
Furthermore, maintenance and upkeep are not easy with wallpaper. If a part of your wallpaper tears or fades, you might have to get the entire wallpaper removed, which will be costly as you will have to pay the entire cost again.
Thus, if you are on a tight and small budget, it might be wise to skip over having wallpaper and have your walls done simply and traditionally: painting.
With paint, you need to worry about keeping it up, as you can buy the same paint again and repaint it yourself. Furthermore, you can change the colour of your wall to revamp your house design as and when you want at a much lower cost.
Painting your wall gives you the freedom to change up and save the extra cost by being able to do it yourself.
19. Be practical
Doing your flooring usually takes up most of your renovation budget. Not only is the scale of the project extensive, but there are also many different options for you.
Tiling completes the look and aesthetics of your house, but it is also important to consider the functionality, durability and maintenance needed. Keen on getting tiles for your home? You can view our tiling cost guide for prices on different tiles!
Some flooring materials are more durable and more practical than others, depending on the room’s purpose.
If you are looking at your kitchen and your bathroom, you will be considering options that are more waterproof or resistant.
Maintenance is also a concern. If you want your flooring to last for a good couple of years, you will have to upkeep and clean it regularly.
This will then affect the functionality of your flooring options as often, if you do not have an extra hand to help, cleaning and properly maintaining your flooring will be hard work.
It would be wise to consult your interior designer on the best option you should choose to better suit your needs and appeal to your design idea.
To view prices for other flooring materials, you can do so at our flooring cost guide.
20. Swimming pools are not necessary
Installing and upkeeping a swimming pool is costly. Maintaining a swimming pool requires procuring the needed chemicals to ensure that the pool does not develop algae and dirty water over time.
You will also need to clean the pool regularly for hygiene reasons, clear out the filter, and get the contractors to dig a hole, install the pool, and do the needed work.
Unless you are certain that you will be using and using the pool regularly, a pool will only incur unnecessary costs. Of course, if you are an avid swimmer determined to keep a pool, you should engage a professional service for better advice.
21. Specialty built-in/ complicated carpentry works
Carpentry works take up a huge amount of the budget for most home renovations. The cost of carpentry work can vary depending on the shape and design. The more customised your carpentry is, the higher your cost will be.
Built-ins and odd-shaped, complicated carpentry will definitely incur a high cost. Special built-ins and odd-shaped carpentry works, like custom cabinets, are expensive because of the skills and effort needed to create them.
Not to mention, if you plan on making your carpentry job complicated with the design, it will require more skills, and the cost of hiring the right professional to do the work will also be added to the cost.
Often, you pay more for the materials needed to make the carpentry and for the person creating the furniture.
As such, it is wise to opt for a simple linear carpentry design if you do not need special built-ins or unique carpentry work for your house design.
This not only saves you money but also makes it easier to have it replaced if it ever wears out.
Want to install cabinets in your bathroom or kitchen? Take a look at our cabinet cost guide for prices on different types of cabinets! Otherwise, if you are looking to renovate your condominium in Singapore, such as K Suites condominium, feel free to ask a contractor here at Homees.co and compare quotations today!
HDB Renovation Guidelines In Singapore
In Singapore, HDB requires contractors from the HDB Directory of Renovation Contractors (DRC) to carry out renovations. You can search for a DRC contractor or a BCA-approved window Contractor here.
Failure to engage a licensed contractor to carry out the renovations and/ or breach HDB’s renovation rules/ guidelines can result in a penalty. The flat owner can be fined up to $5,000 and face additional penalties if convicted. You can find out more information here.
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