How long does a home renovation take in Singapore?
A realistic week-by-week timeline (4-room flat)
| Weeks | Stage | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Permits & protection | HDB permit approved, corridor protection up, materials ordered |
| 1 | Hacking & disposal | Walls down, old carpentry and floors out (noisiest week) |
| 2–3 | Wet works | Masonry, tiling, waterproofing; carpentry measured and sent to workshop |
| 3–4 | Electrical & ceiling | Rewiring, new points, false ceiling and cove lighting |
| 5–7 | Carpentry installation | Kitchen, wardrobes, feature walls arrive from workshop and go in |
| 7–8 | Painting & flooring | Final paint, vinyl overlay, glass and doors |
| 8–9 | Styling & handover | Deep clean, furniture and styling, defects walkthrough, keys back |
What decides whether you land at 8 weeks or 12?
- Scope of wet works. Bathroom relocations add drainage work and curing time.
- Material availability. Imported tiles and stone can hold the site hostage.
- Decision speed. Every unpicked laminate is a week the workshop cannot start.
- Permit class. Simple cosmetic scopes skip the queue entirely.
How we keep projects on schedule
All selections are locked before hacking begins, carpentry is fabricated in our own workshop rather than subcontracted, and clients get photo updates at every stage — so surprises surface in days, not at handover. That discipline is why our average sits at nine weeks and why the schedule we commit to is the schedule you get.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a 4-room HDB renovation take?
A full 4-room HDB renovation typically takes 8 to 12 weeks from permit approval to handover. Light BTO renovations can finish in 4 to 6 weeks; extensive resale overhauls with bathroom relocations can stretch to 14 weeks.
What takes the longest in a renovation?
Custom carpentry has the longest lead time — typically 3 to 5 weeks from final measurement to installation, because pieces are fabricated off-site in a workshop.
Can I live in my flat during renovation?
It is possible for light works but not recommended during hacking, wet works or painting. Most homeowners plan to move in only after handover and a few days of airing.
Why do renovations get delayed?
The usual causes are late material selections by homeowners, out-of-stock tiles or laminates, permit delays, and rectification work discovered after hacking. A firm that locks selections before work starts avoids most of them.
Figures on this page are indicative estimates for Singapore as of 2026, gathered from our project experience. Your quote depends on scope, materials and site condition — WhatsApp us for a free, itemised quotation.
Planning a renovation?
Send us your floor plan — we reply with a styled render and an itemised quote.