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

Building and renovation in Singapore: prices, permits and how to order

Updated 4 November 2026

A full renovation of a 3-room BTO flat in Singapore costs about S$34,200 to S$52,100, and a 5-room resale flat about S$78,600 to S$93,500. Living-room work alone runs from about S$2,100 to S$7,900. The quickest way to current prices for your home is to describe the job in a request on BlaBlaPrice.

Permits and approvals to check first

Renovation works in an HDB flat need a renovation permit, and the application is usually filed by your renovation contractor, who has to be authorised to submit it. Ask who will file it before you sign. If unapproved work is allowed to stay, an administrative fee is payable. In a condominium, most bathroom renovations need approval from the management corporation (MCST), so ask the contractor to confirm this in writing.

Builder licences and what they cost

Builders in Singapore are regulated under the Builders Licensing Scheme, and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) publishes its licence fees: S$1,800 for a Class 1 General Builder, S$1,200 for a Class 2 General Builder and S$1,500 for a Specialist Builder. Check the class printed on the contractor's licence before you agree the scope.

Season and planning around the weather

Singapore is hot all year with wet and dry seasons instead of winter and summer, so there is no quiet winter window to wait for. Build rain days into the timeline, because wet weather slows painting, hacking and waterproofing. Ask the contractor to show the order of work, so carpentry, tiling and painting do not wait on each other longer than needed.

How renovation is quoted here

Prices are usually quoted by flat type, such as 3-room BTO, 5-room resale or resale condo, and a landed house is priced on a separate scale. Ask for a trade breakdown, since the total is often made up of separate trades and hidden costs. Check whether the quote includes the hacking of old walls and the permits, or whether these are extra.

What to write in your request

Say what kind of property you have, the flat type or condo, and its floor area. List the rooms you want changed and whether the job is one room or the whole home. Add your budget, your deadline and whether you need the permit handled for you. A few photos of the rooms help sellers quote faster.

On BlaBlaPrice you describe the renovation in your own words in a chat, and it is free for buyers. BlaBlaPrice's AI asks for missing details, looks through renovation firms' websites and price lists in Singapore, and shows the prices and businesses it found. Registered sellers reply in the chat with their offer, terms and timing, and your contacts stay hidden until you decide who to contact. Start with a request, or see Home & garden for related categories.