Category
Renovation
Renovation is where design meets reality: budgets, hoisting schedules, HDB and MCST permits, and the order in which trades enter your home. The guides in this category explain what things cost and why, so you can plan with real numbers instead of forum guesses.
Every figure we publish comes from projects MET Interior has actually built since 2013 — across HDB BTOs and resales, condominiums, and landed properties. As a CaseTrust-accredited studio, our quotations are itemised and our timelines are contractual, and we bring that same directness to these articles.
26 Jan 2026
Understanding the Costs of Condo Interior Design in Singapore
Explore 2026 condo interior design costs in Singapore. Learn budgeting tips and achieve your dream space without overspending.
11 Sept 2025
A&A Renovation Costs in Singapore: How Much Should You Budget in 2025?
1. Introduction: Why A&A Renovation Costs Matter in 2025 As landed property owners in Singapore look for smarter ways to upgrade their h…
9 Sept 2025
What Is A&A Work in Singapore? A Beginner’s Guide for Landed Renovations
1. Introduction: Why A&A Matters in Landed Renovations In Singapore’s tightly regulated property landscape, landed homes offer a unique …
28 Aug 2025
17 FAQs About Landed Property Renovation in Singapore (2025)
18 May 2026
BTO Renovation Cost in Singapore (2026): 3, 4 & 5-Room Guide
Realistic BTO renovation costs for 2026: S$18k–S$110k depending on flat size and scope, with a full breakdown of what drives the price and w…
21 May 2026
BTO Renovation Timeline: How Long From Keys to Move-In? (2026)
A BTO renovation takes 8–12 weeks on site plus 4–6 weeks of design. The week-by-week timeline, what causes delays, and when to start plannin…
25 May 2026
Condo Renovation Rules in Singapore: MCST Approval Guide (2026)
Every condo renovation needs MCST approval — typically 1–3 weeks, with a S$1,000–5,000 deposit. What needs approval, what is off-limits, and…
28 May 2026
Condo Renovation Timeline in Singapore: What's Realistic (2026)
A condo renovation takes 8–12 weeks on site, plus 1–3 weeks of MCST approval and 4–6 weeks of design. The phase-by-phase schedule and what d…
1 Jun 2026
New Launch vs Resale Condo Renovation: What Changes (2026)
New-launch condo renovations run S$15k–60k; resale units S$60k–150k+. Where the gap comes from, and how to budget for each without surprises…
8 Jun 2026
Landed Renovation Timeline in Singapore: Design to Handover
Interior-only landed renovations take 3–6 months; A&A runs 12–18 including approvals. The full schedule, where the weeks hide, and how to co…
15 Jun 2026
Terrace House Renovation in Singapore: Costs, Rules & Ideas
Terrace house renovations run S$80k–300k interior-only, S$300k–800k+ with A&A. URA rules, party walls, and design moves that beat the long n…
18 Jun 2026
Condo Defects Check Before Renovation: New Launch Checklist
Check defects before renovation starts — after that, the developer owes you nothing. The room-by-room checklist, reporting format, and DLP t…
22 Jun 2026
Executive Condo (EC) Renovation: What's Different (2026)
EC renovations run S$25k–70k — BTO-like economics under condo rules. MCST quirks after TOP, real EC projects, and designing for the 10-year …
25 Jun 2026
Bathroom Renovation Cost in Singapore (2026): HDB & Condo
Bathroom renovations cost S$5k–8k for HDB, S$8k–20k for condos, S$20k+ premium. The trade-by-trade breakdown and the rules that change the p…
29 Jun 2026
Executive Maisonette Renovation: Costs & Ideas (2026)
Maisonette renovations run S$60k–120k standard, S$150k–350k for full transformations. Infrastructure-first budgeting and the staircase as ce…
2 Jul 2026
HDB Renovation Permits: What Needs Approval (2026)
Hacking, retiling, bathroom and window works all need an HDB permit — filed only by registered contractors. The full permit/no-permit/prohib…
5 Jul 2026
Open Kitchen in an HDB: Rules, Cost & Ventilation (2026)
Open kitchen conversions cost S$15k–40k and need an HDB permit. The honest ventilation trade-off, and the glass-partition compromise that be…
10 Jul 2026
Kitchen Renovation Cost in Singapore (2026): HDB & Condo
Kitchen renovations cost S$8k–15k standard HDB, S$15k–28k full rebuilds, S$28k+ premium. Carpentry rates, worktop comparison, and where quot…
11 Jul 2026
Resale HDB Renovation Cost (2026): 3, 4 & 5-Room Guide
Resale HDB renovations cost S$55k–95k for a mid-range 4-room — 20–40% above BTO. The itemised premium, inspection checklist, and where to sa…
Frequently Asked
Common questions
How do I budget for a renovation in Singapore?
Start with the property type: HDB renovations commonly run S$40,000-S$80,000, condos S$30,000-S$100,000, and landed homes upwards of S$100,000. Then set aside a 10-15% contingency for surprises like uneven screed or rewiring. We recommend fixing your scope before collecting quotes — comparing itemised quotations on the same scope is the only fair comparison.
What renovation works need HDB approval?
Hacking of walls, changes to bathrooms and kitchens, window replacement, and any work affecting structure require an HDB permit, applied for by an HDB-registered contractor. Cosmetic works like painting, carpentry, and flooring overlays do not. We handle permit applications for all our HDB projects.
How long should I expect a renovation to take?
A typical whole-home renovation takes 8-12 weeks once permits are approved: about 2 weeks of wet works and hacking, 3-4 weeks of carpentry fabrication, then installation, painting, and finishing. Add 2-4 weeks upfront for design finalisation and approvals. Landed and A&A projects run longer.
Should I renovate before or after moving in?
Before, whenever possible. Living through a renovation adds cost (phased works, daily protection and cleaning) and stretches the timeline significantly. If you must stay in, we sequence the work zone by zone — but an empty unit is always faster and cheaper.