Every HDB renovation in Singapore must follow HDB’s rules. Every job must be done by a contractor from HDB’s Directory of Renovation Contractors (DRC). Works such as hacking walls or replacing floor finishes need an HDB permit first. Once the permit is granted, works must finish within 3 months in a newly completed block, or 1 month in an existing block.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Only contractors listed in the Directory of Renovation Contractors may renovate your flat, even for works that need no permit (HDB).
- Any demolition or hacking of walls, partial or complete, needs HDB’s prior written approval (HDB).
- General works run 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Noisy works run 9am to 5pm on weekdays only (HDB).
- Approved works must finish within 3 months of the permit for new blocks and 1 month for existing blocks (HDB).
- In a new BTO flat, report defects within 30 days of key collection, before renovation starts (MyNiceHome by HDB).
Do I need a permit to renovate my HDB flat?
For some works, yes. HDB’s Important Information on Renovations says certain works can only be carried out with HDB’s prior written approval, given as a permit. Works without a permit must still follow HDB’s guidelines. If they do not, HDB treats them as unauthorised and can ask you to restore the flat.
You do not apply yourself. HDB’s page on applying for a renovation permit says you authorise your contractor to submit the application online. You sign an acknowledgement form, and HDB sends you an SMS once it receives the submission. For a new flat, you must first open a utilities account with SP Services.
Table 1: Common HDB works and whether a permit is needed
| Work | Permit? | Key condition | Source |
| Hacking or demolishing any wall | Yes | HDB’s prior written approval; a PE supervises demolition of non-load-bearing RC elements | HDB building works |
| New 63mm hollow block wall or gypsum partition | No | Adequate light and ventilation for a habitable room; direct fire escape route | HDB building works |
| Removing and replacing floor finishes | Yes | Floor finishes and screed no thicker than 50mm in total | MyNiceHome, HDB |
| Laying parquet, timber, laminated or bamboo flooring over existing finishes | No | No raised platform, no cement screed, no hacking of existing finishes | HDB building works |
| Replacing bathroom floor or wall finishes | Yes | Only after 3 years from the block’s completion date | HDB building works |
| Replacing a main door along a fire escape route | Yes | Half-hour fire-rated door and frame, with a door closer and accreditor’s label. A home fire alarm is also required. | MyNiceHome |
| Installing an air-conditioner | Depends | No HDB permit if the flat can take the higher load, mainly flats built after 1 January 1994 or upgraded under MUP or HIP; BCA-trained installer. Otherwise a licensed electrical worker applies for the permit. | MyNiceHome |
| Enclosing an interaction balcony | Yes | A QP or PE submits a plan to SCDF first; HDB grants the permit after SCDF approval | HDB permit page |
If an item is not in HDB’s guide, or your measurements differ, HDB says to seek its approval before starting.
What is the HDB Directory of Renovation Contractors?
The DRC is HDB’s list of contractors allowed to renovate HDB flats. HDB’s Important Information on Renovations states that the Housing & Development (Renovation Control) Rules 2006 require you to engage only DRC contractors. A flat owner who does not can be fined up to $5,000 on conviction.
You can search the DRC with HDB’s e-Service, linked from its page on looking for renovation contractors. HDB adds that it does not endorse or guarantee the quality of DRC contractors’ work. Your contract is a private agreement with the contractor.
Some trades need their own licence on top of the DRC. HDB requires a PUB Licensed Plumber for water service and sanitary works. Electrical installation needs an EMA-licensed electrical worker, and gas works an EMA-licensed gas service worker. Windows need a BCA-approved window contractor listed with HDB. Our page on mechanical and electrical works covers the electrical side of our service.
Can I hack walls in my HDB flat?
Only some walls, and only with HDB’s approval first. HDB’s Renovation Guidelines for Building Works say all demolition or alteration of walls needs approval. Hacking structural members, such as reinforced concrete (RC) walls, columns, beams and slabs, is not allowed at all.
With approval, lightweight partitions such as hollow block, brick, drywall or Ferrolite walls can be removed up to the beam or slab. If steel bars turn up during demolition, work must stop and HDB must be told at once. HDB’s permit page adds that it will tell you if your proposal needs a Qualified Person (QP) to supervise. Your contractor submits the flat’s floor plan with the proposed works. A copy costs $5 if you no longer have the sales brochure plan.
Two parts of the flat need extra care:
- Household shelter. MyNiceHome’s renovation guide says shelter walls must not be hacked or drilled, and the steel door must stay intact. HDB allows drilling into the internal face only to fix non-metallic inserts and removable screws, no deeper than 50mm. Wall tiles, plastering and cornices inside the shelter are not allowed. Floor tiles must be laid on wet cement mortar, not adhesive.
- Bathrooms in new flats. HDB bars replacing the original toilet floor and wall finishes for 3 years from the block’s completion date. This protects the waterproofing. You can lay new floor tiles over the old ones using adhesives.
What are the HDB renovation working hours?
HDB sets two sets of hours: one for general works and one for noisy works.
Table 2: HDB renovation working hours
| Type of work | Allowed | Not allowed |
| General works (e.g. plastering, laying floor screed) | Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm | Sundays and public holidays |
| Noisy works (e.g. demolishing walls, removing wall or floor finishes, cutting tiles, heavy drilling) | Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm | Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and the eves of New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa and Christmas Day |
| Your own DIY works | 7am to 10.30pm, noise kept to a minimum | 10.30pm to 7am |
Sources: HDB Important Information on Renovations and MyNiceHome.
Three more HDB rules shape the schedule. Your contractor may use only 2 HDB-approved handheld power tools at a time. Demolishing walls or removing finishes cannot take more than 3 consecutive days. Neighbours within 2 units must get written notice at least 5 days before works start. The Notice of Renovation stays outside the flat until works are complete.
How is renovating a new flat different from a resale flat?
The rules are the same. The timing and the starting point are not.
| Table 3: New BTO flat vs re | sale flat in an existing block | |
| Point | New BTO flat | Resale flat (existing block) |
| Time to complete approved works | Within 3 months of the permit | Within 1 month of the permit |
| Before renovation | Report defects within 30 days of key collection | No HDB defects window; check the flat’s condition yourself |
| Bathroom finishes | No replacement for 3 years from block completion; overlay allowed | Replacement allowed with a permit once the 3 years have passed |
| Warranty | 1-year Defects Liability Period from key collection | No HDB defects warranty |
| Project-specific rules | Check HDB’s e-Service for rules specific to your BTO project and block | Check MyHDB Page for any precinct rules, such as DBSS flats |
Sources: HDB, and MyNiceHome’s move-in guide for defects.
MyNiceHome suggests choosing your designer or contractor before key collection, because the design stage takes time.
What order do the steps go in?
The permit comes before any work that needs one. The figure shows the sequence from key collection.
Figure 1: The HDB renovation sequence, from key collection to telling HDB the works are complete.
Table 1: Step sequence for an HDB renovation
| Step | What happens | Who leads |
| 1. Before keys | Brief, design and choose a DRC contractor | Owner |
| Step What happens Who leads | ||
| 2. Key collection and defects | New flats: report defects within 30 days, before renovation | Owner, with HDB’s Building Service Centre |
| 3. Site visit and survey | Measure the flat, check walls, wet areas and services | Contractor |
| 4. Permit application | Contractor submits online with your signed acknowledgement form, plus a floor plan for works such as hacking walls | Contractor |
| 5. Neighbour notice | Written notice to neighbours within 2 units, at least 5 days ahead | Owner or contractor |
| 6. Noisy works | Hacking and removal of finishes, weekdays 9am to 5pm, within 3 consecutive days | Contractor |
| 7. Wet works and services | Screed, waterproofing, plumbing and wiring by licensed trades | Contractor and licensed workers |
| 8. Finishes and carpentry | Tiling, ceilings, painting, built-ins | Contractor |
| 9. Testing and handover | Bathroom water test after new floor finishes; tell the HDB Branch the works are complete | Contractor and owner |
Our page on how we handle permit submissions explains the paperwork side for HDB, condo and commercial jobs.
How long does HDB renovation take?
There is no single figure, because scope drives the time. HDB does set the outer limit. Works must finish within 3 months of the permit in a new block and 1 month in an existing block. Window-only works get 2 weeks.
Worked example. Take a resale flat in an existing block, with the permit granted on a Monday.
- Time allowed: about 4 weeks to finish all approved works.
- Noisy works window: 8 hours a day × 5 weekdays = 40 hours a week at most.
- General works window: 9 hours a day × 6 days = 54 hours a week at most.
- Hacking and removal of finishes: no more than 3 consecutive days.
So the noisy stage has to be planned to the day. If the 4 weeks include Deepavali or Christmas, the eve is lost for noisy works, as is the public holiday itself for all works. The same scope in a new block has about 13 weeks from the permit. Report defects before works start.
A real example: two HDB flats we renovated
At 80C Telok Blangah Street 31, we carried out a full HDB renovation from June to July 2026. The scope covered hacking, masonry, tiling and waterproofing, a new kitchen and bathrooms, electrical, air-conditioning, false ceilings, painting and custom carpentry. Hacking was scheduled inside the
permitted weekday hours. Wet works and concealed wiring were finished before ceilings and carpentry closed them up. The full case study of our Telok Blangah renovation sets out each stage, and the 80C Telok Blangah project page has the photos.
Our Bukit Batok West Ave 8 HDB renovation in March 2026 started with the HDB approval and permit application. It included whole-house vinyl flooring, complete electrical rewiring with DB installation, a new kitchen with countertop and chimney, and built-in carpentry. See our residential projects for both.
What HDB does not allow
Some works are off the table, whatever your contractor says. HDB’s list of disallowed works includes:
- Hacking or removing structural members, such as RC walls, columns, beams, slabs and maisonette staircases.
- Loading the floor slab with more than 150kg per square metre.
- Raising the floor with concrete beyond 50mm, including finishes.
- Plastering ceilings.
- Partitions made of combustible or toxic materials, such as plywood or plastics.
- Covering void areas to extend floor area, such as in maisonettes or loft units.
- Enclosing the air-conditioner ledge, or changing the use of a planter box.
Unauthorised works carry a cost too. If HDB lets them stay, you pay an administrative fee. If not, you remove them and restore the flat. If HDB or the Town Council later repairs the flat, you must remove your fittings at your own cost.
How to choose a renovation contractor near you
A search for a renovation contractor near me brings up many firms. Start with HDB’s DRC e-Service, because a firm not listed cannot legally renovate your flat. Then compare like for like:
- Scope in writing. HDB advises agreeing pricing, schedule and quality up front.
- Licensed trades. Ask who does the plumbing, electrical and window works, and check their licences.
- Disputes. HDB points to CASE, the Singapore Mediation Centre and the Small Claims Tribunals if a dispute cannot be settled. HDB also refers homeowners to CASE’s Company Alert List and the CaseTrust accreditation scheme for renovation businesses.
Lists of the best home renovation and interior design firms in Singapore are a starting point, not a check. Our guide on what to verify before hiring a contractor covers registrations in detail. Our post on what a renovation company does explains how contractors and design firms differ.
Which kind of renovation fits your flat?
- Is it a new BTO flat? Finish the defects check first, and leave the bathroom tiles alone for 3 years, or overlay them.
- Are you removing walls? Plan for HDB’s approval, possibly a QP, and 3 consecutive days of noisy works at most.
- Is it mainly flooring, paint and carpentry? Many items need no permit. They still follow HDB’s guidelines and need a DRC contractor.
- Is it a resale flat on a tight move-in date? One month from the permit is short. Fix the design before the application goes in.
- Is it a landed home instead? The rules are different. See our sister guide, Landed Property Renovation Singapore.
Common mistakes
- Hiring a contractor or freelancer who is not on the DRC.
- Starting hacking before the written approval arrives.
- Booking noisy works on a Saturday or a festival eve.
- Renovating a new flat before reporting defects, which makes it hard to tell who caused a fault.
- Replacing BTO bathroom tiles within the 3-year period.
- Hacking household shelter walls, or tampering with the shelter door.
Further reading
- Renovation services in Singapore
- Full case study of our Telok Blangah renovation
- What to verify before hiring a contractor
- About VR Builders
Plan your HDB renovation with VR Builders
VR Builders has been a BCA-registered contractor since 2001, and our site describes us as HDB Renovation Permit registered. We renovate HDB flats alongside condos, landed homes and commercial spaces, with one project manager from start to finish. You can see our registrations on our certifications page. Tell us about your flat and we will walk it with you.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Do I need a permit to renovate my HDB flat?
For some works, yes. HDB requires a permit before works such as hacking walls, replacing floor finishes, or replacing a main door along a fire escape route. Works without a permit must still follow HDB’s guidelines, or HDB treats them as unauthorised. Your contractor submits the application online on your behalf, and HDB sends you an SMS when it is received.
Q: What is the HDB Directory of Renovation Contractors?
It is HDB’s list of contractors allowed to renovate HDB flats. Under the Housing & Development (Renovation Control) Rules 2006, you must engage a DRC contractor for all renovations, including works that need no permit. A flat owner who does not can be fined up to $5,000 on conviction. You can search the directory using HDB’s e-Service.
Q: Can I hack walls in my HDB flat?
Only non-structural walls, and only with HDB’s prior written approval. Lightweight partitions such as hollow block, brick, drywall or Ferrolite walls can be removed up to the underside of the beam or slab. Reinforced concrete walls, columns, beams and slabs must not be hacked. Household shelter walls must not be hacked or drilled, apart from small permitted fixings.
Q: How long does HDB renovation take?
It depends on the scope, but HDB sets the limit. Approved works must finish within 3 months of the permit in a newly completed block, and within 1 month in an existing block. Window-only works must finish within 2 weeks. Hacking and removal of finishes cannot take more than 3 consecutive days, so noisy works must be planned closely.
Q: What are the HDB renovation working hours?
General renovation is allowed from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Noisy works, such as hacking, removing finishes, cutting tiles and heavy drilling, are allowed from 9am to 5pm on weekdays only. No renovation is allowed on Sundays or public holidays. Noisy works are also not allowed on the eves of New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa, Deepavali and Christmas Day.
Q: Can I change the bathroom tiles in a new BTO flat?
Not for the first 3 years. HDB does not allow the original toilet floor and wall finishes to be replaced for 3 years from the block’s completion date, to protect the waterproofing. You can lay new floor tiles over the existing ones using adhesives. After 3 years, replacing the finishes needs an HDB permit and new waterproofing.
