Condo Renovation Cost in Singapore: What You'll Actually Pay (2026)
Prices checked October 2026 against the published price lists of 526 contractors listed on Homees, MOM's 2025 wage data and Qanvast's 2026 report. How we price →
Condo renovation costs split sharply by age. A **new condo** starts from around **S$40,000** because it's handed over in clean condition with little to demolish. A **resale condo** is a different story — usually **S$80,000–S$105,000+**, because it behaves much like a resale flat: hacking, rewiring, waterproofing and updating dated finishes all stack up.| Property | Typical cost | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New condo (handover) | S$40,000 – S$70,000 | Clean slate; mostly carpentry, finishes, lighting |
| Resale condo (standard) | S$80,000 – S$105,000 | Hacking, rewiring, waterproofing + new build |
| Resale condo (premium / large) | S$105,000 – S$180,000+ | Bigger units, designer finishes, full transformation |
Where these come from: Essentials = published whole-home packages from contractors listed on Homees (Oct 2026); Standard = Qanvast's 2026 projection from its 2025 project medians; Premium = designer-led work above that band. Furniture, appliances and contingency are on top. How we price →
Quick answer: budget S$44,290–S$62,160 for a new condo and S$78,280–S$105,000 for a resale condo overhaul in 2026, plus 10–15% contingency and a separate furniture-and-appliances budget.
Why condos often cost more than HDB flats
For the same floor area, a condo renovation frequently runs higher than an HDB flat. A few reasons:
- Premium expectations — condo owners tend to spec higher-end finishes, joinery and lighting.
- Larger and irregular layouts — more floor to cover, plus balconies, bay windows and feature walls.
- MCST rules and logistics — renovation deposits, restricted lift/loading access and tighter permitted hours can add time (and cost) to the job.
- Wet-area and balcony waterproofing — balconies and planter boxes add waterproofing scope HDB flats don't have. See waterproofing.
Where the money goes — room by room
| Space | Typical cost | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | S$15,000 – S$30,000 | Often the priciest room; premium cabinetry/countertop |
| Bathrooms | S$8,000 – S$18,000 each | Developer fittings often swapped out |
| Bedrooms | S$4,000 – S$8,000 each | Wardrobe-led |
| Living/dining | S$10,000 – S$22,000 | Feature walls, false ceilings, flooring |
| Aircon | S$3,000 – S$6,000 | Often ducted or multiple systems |
| Flooring (whole unit) | S$8,000 – S$25,000 | Marble/timber common in condos |
Carpentry, the kitchen and flooring are the biggest drivers, with false ceilings and cove lighting a common condo signature.
New vs resale condo — the cost gap
- New condo — handed over with basic finishes; you're mostly adding carpentry, feature walls, lighting and upgrading the kitchen/bathrooms to taste. Minimal hacking keeps it closer to S$44,290–S$62,160.
- Resale condo — 8–15 year old units usually need dated kitchens and bathrooms gutted, balcony waterproofing redone, and finishes modernised — pushing S$78,280–S$105,000+.
What actually moves your price
- Unit size and ceiling height — more area and taller walls mean more flooring, painting and joinery.
- Material tier — marble vs vinyl, quartz vs laminate, branded vs builder-grade sanitaryware.
- Hacking extent (resale) — gutting kitchens, bathrooms and built-ins.
- MCST logistics — deposit, lift booking, permitted hours and protection of common areas.
- ID vs contractor — condo jobs are frequently ID-led; expect a 10–20% premium for design and project management.
Cost by area
Condo demand spans the island:
- Jurong (Lakeside, second CBD) — parquet refinishing and built-in carpentry are common; see Jurong.
- Bishan and central — premium feature walls, false ceilings and concealed lighting; see Bishan.
- East and North-East — see Tampines and Punggol.
Sample budget — standard resale condo overhaul
- Kitchen (hack + rebuild, premium) ≈ S$22,000
- 2 bathrooms (hack, waterproof, re-tile, fittings) ≈ S$24,000
- Bedrooms (wardrobes, flooring) ≈ S$16,000
- Living/dining (flooring, feature wall, false ceiling, lighting) ≈ S$18,000
- Aircon (ducted/multi) ≈ S$5,000
- Hacking, rewire, balcony waterproofing ≈ S$9,000
- Painting + sundries ≈ S$4,000
- Subtotal ≈ S$98,000, plus 10–15% contingency (~S$12,000)
That lands most standard resale condo overhauls in the S$78,280–S$105,000 zone for works alone.
Renovation timeline
| Week | Stage |
|---|---|
| 1–3 | MCST approval, hacking, haulage, first-fix |
| 4–5 | Waterproofing, ponding test, masonry, tiling |
| 6–9 | Carpentry, false ceiling, painting |
| 10–12 | Flooring, sanitaryware, aircon, lighting |
| 13–16 | Defects, handover and clean |
A new condo can be done in 8–10 weeks; a resale overhaul runs 12–16 weeks.
Condo rules — no HDB, but MCST instead
Condos don't follow HDB renovation rules, but the MCST (management corporation) has its own:
- Renovation deposit — typically S$1,000–S$3,000, refundable if no common-area damage.
- Approval & permits — submit a renovation application; structural or façade changes need approval and may need a Professional Engineer (PE). BCA rules apply to structural works.
- Permitted hours — set by the condo, usually weekdays 9am–5/6pm and limited Saturdays; many ban Sunday/PH works entirely.
- Wet-area & balcony rules — you generally can't alter external features, and balcony waterproofing must be maintained.
- Lift & loading — book the cargo lift; protect lobbies and corridors.
How to keep the bill sensible
- Keep developer fittings that are still good — especially in a near-new unit.
- Match material to room — marble in the living room, vinyl/tiles in wet and service areas.
- Confirm MCST rules before quoting — deposit, hours and access affect the schedule and price.
- Get 3 itemised quotes and check hacking, waterproofing and protection works are included.
- Keep 10–15% contingency — resale condos hide surprises behind dated finishes.
Compare vetted renovation contractors and IDs on Homees.co, or start with the price estimator.
FAQ
How much does it cost to renovate a condo in Singapore? A new condo typically runs S$44,290–S$62,160 (Qanvast's 2026 projection); a resale condo overhaul is usually S$78,280–S$105,000+, and more for large or premium units. Furniture and appliances are extra.
Why is a condo more expensive to renovate than an HDB flat? Premium finishes, larger and irregular layouts, balcony waterproofing, and MCST logistics (deposits, restricted access and hours) all add cost.
Do I need MCST approval to renovate a condo? Yes. Submit a renovation application to the management, pay a refundable deposit, and follow the condo's permitted hours. Structural or façade changes need extra approval and possibly a PE endorsement.
How much is the renovation deposit for a condo? Typically S$1,000–S$3,000, refundable if there's no damage to common property.
How long does a condo renovation take? A new condo: about 8–10 weeks. A resale overhaul: 12–16 weeks, including MCST approval, hacking and drying time.
Can I hack walls in a condo? Non-structural walls usually yes, with MCST approval. Structural walls and external/façade features generally cannot be altered, and need PE/BCA involvement where permitted.
Is a new or resale condo cheaper to renovate? New, by a wide margin — it's a clean slate. A resale condo behaves like a resale flat, with hacking, rewiring and waterproofing on top.
Does this include furniture and appliances? No. Loose furniture and appliances are a separate budget, often larger than for an HDB given condo sizing.
Sources
- T Se7en Alucraft — Home renovation cost Singapore 2026
- Design Authority — Singapore renovation cost 2026 (HDB, condo, landed)
- MoneySmart — HDB renovation cost & loan guide Singapore 2026
- Qanvast — Renovation cost calculator (HDB, condo & resale)
- Renobros Interior — Renovation cost Singapore 2026 price guide
- BCA — Renovation and addition/alteration works
Prices are indicative 2026 market ranges for renovation works and vary by unit age, size, scope, materials and contractor. Condo renovations are governed by your MCST by-laws and BCA rules for structural works; confirm requirements with your management before starting.
