HDB INTERIOR DESIGN IN SINGAPORE (RESALE/BTO)
HDB public housing is the most common form of housing in Singapore, with 78.7% of residents living in Government subsidised public housing. However, individuals are breaking the monotony with interesting interior design choices for their HDB flats. With themes ranging from modern luxury HDB interior design to retro farmhouse, Editor Interior is ready to create the HDB interior design of your dreams with our HDB renovation packages in Singapore.
HDB RENOVATIONS GUIDELINES BY BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY (BCA)
Before embarking on any HDB renovation package for your resale flat or BTO flat – whether it is a 3 room, 4 room, or 5 room flat — it is essential that you understand the HDB permits and guidelines. Certain renovation works will require you to apply for a permit before the works can be carried out.
FLOOR FINISHES REPLACEMENT
A permit is required for renovation works that involve the replacement of existing flooring. Raising the existing flooring will also require permits. In addition to obtaining a permit, there are guidelines to meet, such as floor finishing not exceeding 50mm.
LEVELLING UP BALCONY TO MATCH FLOOR LEVEL
To create the illusion of larger floor space, you may be interested in levelling up the balcony to match the floor level, creating a seamless transition. With a permit, this can be done using lightweight screed or block.
WALL DEMOLITION
If you are considering creating an open-concept space, it is important to note the guidelines for hacking walls. Demolition of walls can only be carried out after HDB’s approval. Structural and load-bearing walls cannot be torn down, and it is essential to identify which walls these are by reading your flat’s floor plan.
ERECTION OF WALL
After the hacking of walls, suppose you want to build a wall, there are guidelines to follow but a permit is not required to erect a 63mm thick hollow block wall or a gypsum partition. If the wall is used to create a room, the room must have sufficient natural light and ventilation. The fire escape route should be directly accessible as well.
CHANGES TO DOORS AND GATES
Some changes to doors and gates require permits as well. Replacement of the door and frame that are along the fire escape routes requires approval. These doors and frames have to meet the guidelines where they must be half-hour fire-rated and frames have a self-closing device. Relocation of internal doors also requires a permit and cannot be moved to reinforced concrete walls.
WINDOW REPLACEMENT
Should you have plans to change the existing windows, you will need to obtain a permit and adhere to the guidelines. There are size limits depending on the type of windows. Grille designs also have to be approved by HDB and follow the flat’s selected designs.
BATHROOM RENOVATIONS
Bathroom renovations are not allowed for the first three years of obtaining your BTO. This is because the waterproofing installed by HDB needs to stabilise to prevent water leakage. If your three years are up, you can apply for a renovation permit to hack your walls or change your tiling.
EXTENSION OF BATHROOMS
After the 3 years of completion of BTO, you may extend the bathroom with a permit. The bathroom extension area cannot exceed 600mm and 0.6m². This area is only to be used as a ‘dry area’ where you can install basins or storage spaces.
CONCEALED PLUMBING & WIRING NOT ALLOWED FOR RESALE FLATS
BTOs come with concealed wiring. However, some resale HDB flats do not come with concealed wiring and plumbing. Concealing them is not allowed by HDB.
BTO VS RESALE: KEY DIFFERENCES IN PLANNING
Renovation works for a BTO, and a resale flat has their differences which contribute to differences in the overall cost of renovation.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR RENOVATING A BTO
BTOs are typically unfurnished, which means building the interior from scratch. Renovation costs depend on the size and extensiveness of the work. The materials you choose will also affect the cost of the renovation.
These are the works that will come with renovation a BTO:Bare flooring or come with ready flooring, Hacking work, Masonry work, Flooring work, Plumbing work, Electrical work, False ceiling work, Painting work, Carpentry work, Glass work, Door & window, Cleaning
Conduct a thorough assessment of the BTO flat’s condition. Should there be any defects, it is vital to report these initial defects to HDB. The Building Service Centre will have these defects fixed by a qualified contractor. This is key, as HDB will not fix any issues that are discovered after your own renovations are carried out.
Upon obtaining the relevant permits, a timeline for the renovation can be created with your interior designers.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR RENOVATING A RESALE FLAT
Before beginning the resale flat renovation, it is important to thoroughly assess the flat’s current condition. Focus on areas such as structure, plumbing and other upgrading works required. Additionally, before undergoing a HDB resale flat renovation, you should also check the ceilings, doors, windows and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) system to determine if they need to be fixed as well.
Renovating a resale flat can be more costly as it may involve more extensive work to upgrade the condition of the flat. As such, it is important to select an interior design team and contractors that have experience in HDB resale flat renovation to modernise HDB resale flats into the luxury house of your dreams.
Renovating a resale flat can be more costly as it may involve more extensive work to upgrade the condition of the flat. As such, it is important to select an interior design team and contractors that are experienced in modernising HDB resale flats into the luxury house of your dreams.
WHY SHOULD YOU WORK WITH EDITOR INTERIOR?
If you are looking for an exceptional HDB renovation package in Singapore, Editor Interior has got your back. Editor Interior has completed many projects of size and scale to meet the needs of various clients – including HDB 3 room, 4 room, and 5 room renovation projects. We pride ourselves in sourcing quality materials and maximising your budget to bring you the house of your dreams. From designing living rooms to kitchens to bedrooms, our design team works with you to conceptualise your vision. Our design team will then work with trusted contractors to build and transform your flat with a luxurious HDB design to which you would be happy to come home to.
With the appropriate accreditations for public housing renovations in Singapore, you can rely on our team to materialise the HDB BTO apartment for you and your family. If you are interested in learning more about our HDB renovation packages, contact us for a consultation today.
OUR COMPLETED WORKS
Scandinavian 3-Room Resale Flat
Modern Industrial 4-Room BTO
Modern Contemporary 4-Room BTO
Maisonette
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Popular HDB and BTO interior design styles include modern luxury, Scandinavian, Wabi Sabi, modern Japandi, modern contemporary, Muji, and modern industrial. The choice often depends on personal preferences and the desired atmosphere within the living space.
On average, the renovation process for a BTO flat typically takes between 4 to 10 weeks. However, the duration of completing a BTO interior design in Singapore can vary based on several factors, including the scope of work, complexity of design, and the availability of materials. If unforeseen circumstances arise, such as a shortage of materials or unexpected electrical issues, delays will occur.
Renovation expenses can vary based on factors such as flat size, desired upgrades, and materials chosen. According to Qanvast, as of 2024, prospective homeowners should budget approximately $34,200 to $52,100 for renovating a 3-room BTO flat, $52,500 to $66,000 for a 4-room BTO flat, and $62,000 to $70,000 for a 5-room BTO flat. Keep in mind that these figures are estimates, and actual costs may differ based on individual preferences and specific renovation requirements.
Maximising space in a BTO flat involves smart planning and design strategies such as selecting multifunctional furniture, utilising vertical storage solutions, and optimising layout configurations to make the most of available space. Some ways to maximise space include replacing walls with sliding glass partitions, converting your service yard into a hobby space, opting for an open kitchen concept, and more.