So you’ve got that most coveted home keys that everyone in Singapore is ultimately dreaming of. As they say, a new home means new life and new beginnings. What could be more relaxing and truly worth it than going home every day on your immaculate abode? And as with all homeowners, making it look ecstatically beautiful and contemporary functional are the next big priorities you are surely planning about.

Whether it is a private or government-subsidized flat, house renovation Singapore is indeed a minefield of stressful things. It can eat up not just your savings but your time and energy as well.  Additionally, you can’t simply call any builder and start changing those partitions that came with your new home. Changing the floor tiles will definitely make the space look modern but this requires more than just money and effort.

There are no specific protocols as to when you can renovate your new home, but there are renovation guidelines in Singapore that you need to keep in mind. Failure to comply with these regulations can incur hefty fines of up to $5,000 along with other penalties.

Renovating Private Properties

If you have bought a titled residential property or strata apartment, you can renovate your new home following the guidelines set out by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). Compare to public housing units, these regulations are more relaxed and tolerable.

Depending on the property you own as well as the type of renovation that needs to be carried out, you may need to obtain permission from URA if:

• It affects the external façade of the building, or
• Will result in an increased Gross Floor Area (GFA)

For landed-titled residential properties, keep in mind that any renovation that covers beyond 50% of the structure is considered “Reconstruction”, including an increase in storey height and change in housing form. Works that do not exceed the 50% mark are considered “Additions and Alterations”.

On the other hand for strata-titled residential units, internal renovation works do not necessarily require planning permission. But if the renovation will affect the external façade of the building or it will increase the GFA, prior approval from URA is needed.

HDB Renovation Rules

Since HDB flats are subsidized by the government, the renovation rules set out by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) are definitely stricter, more detailed and indeed comprehensive. Before carrying out any renovation works, it is very important to familiarize yourself with these HDB renovation rules to prevent paying any fines or penalties you might incur for doing such unapproved alterations.

Basic HDB Pointers to remember:

1. 1. You must engage only with HDB registered renovation contractors.
   2. Demolition and hacking of walls, partial or complete, require HDB’s prior written approval.
   3. You must strictly comply with the permitted renovation time specified by HDB.

Timing of Renovations

Continuing on this house renovation Singapore, HDB is very strict with regard to the time for carrying out renovations. Before doing any work, your contractor must display a Notice of Renovation outside your unit until all renovations are completed. Additionally, your contractor must inform at least 2 of your neighbors 3 days in advance before starting any renovations. The same rule applies to works that do not require a permit such as carpentry or minor repairs.

1. General works should only be made between 9:00 am – 6:00 pm on weekdays and Saturdays.
2. NO renovations are allowed on Sundays and Public Holidays.
3. Noisy renovations can only be carried out between 9:00 am – 5:00 pm on weekdays.
4. Noisy renovations are NOT allowed on Saturdays, Sundays, Public Holidays and eve of major Public Holidays.
5. DIY works that involve drilling or hammering are NOT allowed from 10:30 pm to 7:00 am.
6. Your contractor can only use 2 HDB approved hand-held power tools and the project must be completed within 3 consecutive days.
7. Demolition or removal of walls and floor finishes cannot take more than 3 consecutive days.
8. Any renovation must be completed within 1 month for existing blocks and 3 months for new blocks. Timing begins from the date the renovation permit is granted.

Disallowed HDB Renovation Works

Not all HDB renovation requires a permit, but there are works that are NOT allowed because they:

• Overload the structure
• Affect the external façade or form of the building
• Create public nuisance, pose a fire hazard or intrude public space
• Infringe lease agreement and other statutory requirements

HDB Renovation Permit

There are certain types of works that require HDB’s prior written approval. This is important because if you fail to obtain the permit, HDB can ask you to reinstate the flat on its original condition wasting all your time and money for doing unauthorized renovations.

Furthermore, you are required to open a Utilities Account (water and electricity) for a new flat with SP services before you can be granted with a renovation permit.

Additional HDB Renovation Guidelines Singapore

• No loads greater than 150 kilograms are allowed per floor square meter.
• You cannot remove structural objects like columns, beams or reinforced concrete walls.
• You are not allowed to raise the floor level too high, 5 centimeters is the maximum thickness.
• Applying paint anywhere outside your unit is not permissible.
• A 3-year wait period is required for new flats before renovating the bathroom floor or wall finishes.
• Always check the integrity as well as the quality of the renovation after work is completed.

Cost Cutting Tips

House renovation Singapore is without a doubt costly. Renovation works are famous for busting the budget and bringing disappointments. If pursed unmonitored, it can easily eat out your finances faster than a lightning bolt. Worst, the renovation may not end up the way you want it to be. To avoid spending your money down the drain, being ripped off and filing disputes with the contractor, check out these cost-cutting tips below.

1. Set aside 20% beyond the project budget – this will ensure that even if you go over budget, the renovation will still come to completion. Scale back if you can’t afford the total cost.
2. Use personal loans – if your renovation loan runs out, take a personal loan from the bank. Personal loan interest rates run anywhere between 6-8% per annum making it easy on the pocket.
3. Go for custom pieces – believe it or not, ready-made pieces are more expensive than custom-made ones. Besides, custom items will fit perfectly on your home with little to no adjustments.
4. Avoid themes – if you are planning to renovate your kids’ room, cut back with themes. Kids will easily outgrow these themes and in the coming years, you’ll face yet another renovation.
5. Think about the mortgage – if you are still paying for your home loan, don’t push premature renovations that will definitely put a huge dent on your finances.

When it comes to house renovation Singapore, there are no specific rules to the extent you can go beyond to modify your home. Depending on your needs, wants and lifestyle, you can go wild with exotic designs or go functional with contemporary layouts. Just a word of caution, the guidelines set out both by URA and HDB must be followed accurately if you don’t want to end up paying huge fines and exorbitant penalties.

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