The length of time it takes to renovate a HDB/Condominium is completely out of your contractor’s control. It’s shocking, we know. In truth, homeowners are the ones who decide how long a makeover would take. Renovations to HDB/Condominiums take only two months. On the other hand, many HDB and condominium residents in Singapore put off the process.
During a renovation, there is a certain flow that must be followed. Here’s a quick rundown of Singapore’s hdb renovation guidelines. Here’s a rough estimate of how long it will take to renovate various areas of your home.
Please keep in mind that the timing is only an estimate.
Every homeowner’s needs are distinct. If a homeowner does not require carpentry services, for example, we can save two weeks of renovation time. Alternatively, if a homeowner has given us a tight deadline to work with, such as a deadline to move into their new house, we’ll have to expedite the procedure.
Furthermore, Singapore’s Housing Development Board (HDB) grants a one month renovation permit, and allows for an extension of 1 month. Of which only three days are allocated for noisy renovation works like hacking of tiles.
Sticking to a Renovation Schedule
- Three months before you collect your keys, begin sorting through ideas you may have for your home. Arrange inspiration photos on a Pinterest moodboard which you can discuss with your interior designer.
- Discuss with your family how much you are willing to set aside for the renovation.
- Shortlist interior designers you might want to work with in this prepatory time. Get recommendations from friends and family. If you find a contractor or interior designer you like, be sure to check reviews. Secondly, all interior designers and contractors should have the proper licenses to operate.
- Ask shortlisted interior designers for quotes and a couple of proposed views for the house. Compare quotes and design. Find one that best fits your requirements and budget. (Pro-tip: Try our virtual reality home tour to get the best visualisation experience!)
- HDB renovation noise rules. Noisy renovation such as demolition of walls, removing wall/floor finishes, cutting of tiles and hdb drilling timing ( learn more about hdb drilling guidelines) works, etc. are restricted from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm daily during weekdays. hdb renovation timing saturday, noisy renovation are not allowed to be carried out on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. Residents who encounter renovation contractors who do not comply with the requirements can report them to the HDB renovation noise complaint to hdb renovation complaint hotline.
Why do most renovations take 3 months or longer?
Although HDB and Condominiums renovations are last 2 months, the average Singaporean homeowner takes 3 months. The additional month, or even more, is actually just deadtime spent by the homeowner making decisions.
Symptoms of chronic renovation analysis paralysis are:
- Flitting between interior designs (“Or should we consider the contractor route?”)
- Staking out for the best interior design proposal
- Haggling quotations
- Deliberating the choice of materials
More often than not, we’ve had to put a stop to the entire renovation because owners cannot decide on the material or design of their cabinetry. Sometimes, designs evolve because homeowners have to make budget cuts. Consequently, these cause delays in the renovation.
Granted, renovations for most homeowners in Singapore are usually a once or twice in a lifetime kind of project. Poring through every single facet of your new home is nothing to belittle. Moreover, the cost of renovation is no small penny to pay. You want to get it right the first time.
As you can see, how long it takes to renovate depends heavily on confidence in your decisions. As interior designers, 9Creation try our best to provide suggestions to help. So hear us out, and take a leap of faith. And if you need to talk to an experienced interior designer, feel free to reach out us at 9Creation. Hopefully, with these tips, you’ll have a smooth renovation.
