IS Design Portfolio
Renovation Cost in Singapore: The 2026 Guide
“How much will my renovation cost?” is the first question every Singapore homeowner asks — and the one the industry answers worst. Package prices that exclude half the work, quotes that swell mid-project, and “from $X” figures that no real home ever lands on. This guide explains what actually drives renovation cost in Singapore, what typical market ranges look like in 2026, and how to budget so the number you agree on is the number you pay.
What Actually Drives Renovation Cost
Two homes of the same size can renovate at wildly different costs. The difference is rarely the designer’s fee — it is the scope underneath:
- Structural and wet works. Hacking walls, reworking bathrooms and kitchens, and re-tiling floors are the heaviest cost drivers. A refresh that keeps wet areas intact can cost a fraction of a reconfiguration.
- Carpentry. Built-in wardrobes, kitchen cabinetry, feature walls and concealed storage typically account for the largest single share of a Singapore renovation — and it is also where quality differences show most.
- Property age and condition. An older resale flat often needs rewiring, re-piping or floor levelling before the visible work begins. New builds skip much of this.
- Materials. The spread between laminate and natural stone, or vinyl and hardwood, is real — but so is the lifespan. Modern luxury is about directing spend to the surfaces you touch daily, not upgrading everything.
- Approvals and compliance. HDB permits, MCST rules in condos, and structural submissions for landed work all shape what is possible and what it costs.
Typical Market Ranges in 2026
The ranges below are broad market indications for Singapore — not quotes, and not our price list. Where your project lands depends entirely on scope, condition and finish level. Treat them as orientation, not commitment:
| HDB (resale, moderate scope) | Commonly S$40,000–S$80,000; light refreshes below, full reconfigurations above |
|---|---|
| HDB (BTO / new) | Commonly S$25,000–S$60,000, wet works largely intact |
| Condominium | Commonly S$50,000–S$120,000 depending on scope and finish level |
| Landed home | Highly scope-dependent — from focused refreshes to six-figure rebuilds |
| Commercial fit-out | Highly scope-dependent — typically S$60,000–S$200,000+ depending on size, use and finish level |
| Kitchen (standalone) | Commonly S$15,000–S$35,000 for a full renewal |
| Bathroom (each) | Commonly S$8,000–S$18,000 depending on fittings and tiling |
If a quote sits far below these ranges, look hard at what has been excluded — haulage, plumbing relocation, electrical points and protection works are the usual missing lines that reappear later as “variations.”
nIf your project is a condo, a landed home, or a commercial space, the same principle holds — scope and finish level drive the number far more than the property type itself.
nHow to Budget Without Regret
- Fix the scope before the number. Most budget blowouts are scope changes in disguise. Decide what is being done — and not done — before comparing quotes.
- Compare itemised quotes, not totals. A lower total with vague line items usually costs more by handover.
- Direct spend at daily-touch surfaces. Joinery, worktops, flooring and lighting deliver more lived value than ornament.
- Keep a 10–15% contingency. Older properties in particular reveal surprises once hacking begins.
- Insist on a fixed, written quote after a site visit. Any figure produced without seeing your actual home is a guess dressed up as a price.
How IS Design Studio Handles Cost
We do not publish package prices, because a figure that ignores your actual home is not useful to you. Every project begins with a site assessment, and every proposal comes with a clear, itemised, fixed quote — so there are no surprises later, in either direction. That discipline applies whether the project is a condo, an HDB or executive maisonette, a landed home, or one of our signature loft designs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a renovation cost in Singapore?
For most homes, somewhere between S$25,000 and S$120,000 — an honest answer requires knowing your property type, its condition, and your scope. The ranges above narrow it; a site visit and itemised quote settle it.
What takes up the biggest share of the budget?
Carpentry, in most Singapore renovations — followed by wet works if bathrooms or the kitchen are being reconfigured. This is also where cutting corners shows fastest, so it is the wrong place to economise.
How do I avoid my renovation going over budget?
Lock the scope first, insist on an itemised fixed quote after a site visit, and keep a contingency for what hacking reveals. Most “overruns” were never in the quote to begin with.
Ready for a number that reflects your actual home? Book a design consultation — the site assessment and the honest conversation come first.
