Building & renovation: say what exactly you’re looking for

Building and renovation in Malaysia: what it costs in RM

Updated 4 November 2026

Building and renovation work in Malaysia costs from about RM 10,000 for minor touch-ups to RM 500,000 for extensive transformations. Approximately, according to sellers' websites, November 2026, a basic refresh of a whole home is RM 30,000 to RM 50,000 and a mid-range renovation is RM 60,000 to RM 120,000. For a price on your own property, send a request on BlaBlaPrice.

Permits and licences to check

Structural and layout changes usually need a renovation permit and plan approval. Permit costs range from RM 200 to RM 5,000 or more, depending on scope and property type. One local source says a fine of 10 to 20 times the processing fee can apply if work goes ahead without approval. Ask each builder whether they are registered with CIDB. Registration is mandatory under Act 520, and working without it can bring a fine of RM 10,000 to RM 100,000.

Season and weather

Malaysia is hot all year, with wet and dry seasons instead of winter and summer, so there is no cold-weather pause to wait for. Rain stops outdoor jobs such as roofing, exterior painting, fences and concrete pours. Ask for a schedule that allows for wet days, and plan interior work such as tiling, plastering and kitchens for the drier periods when the weather allows.

How building work is quoted and delivered here

Most quotes are given per job. A new build is sometimes quoted per square foot, and one local source gives RM 150 to RM 400 or more per square foot for new construction. Measure rooms in square metres and centimetres if you can, and ask whether a quote includes materials, labour, debris removal and delivery to the site. Say which of Kuala Lumpur, George Town, Johor Bahru, Ipoh or Shah Alam the property is in, so the seller can check delivery. If you already know the tiles you want, see ceramic and porcelain tiles.

What to write in your request

Describe the work in your own words: which rooms, the scope, the size, the materials you have chosen, the deadline and your budget. Say whether the property is a condominium, a landed house or a shophouse, and whether you need the permit handled. Sellers reply in the chat with their price, terms and delivery, and your contact details stay hidden until you decide to exchange them.

Offers come through BlaBlaPrice, and buying is free. Its AI reads the request, asks for missing details, and looks through sellers' websites and price lists in Malaysia before it shows the prices and businesses it found. Registered local sellers answer in the chat with their own offer. Start with a request on the home page, or read how BlaBlaPrice works.