How Long Does a Renovation Take in Singapore?
The most common question we hear: "How long will my renovation take?"
The honest answer is it depends — on scope, property type, and whether your permit gets approved on the first try. But after completing over 150 projects across Singapore, we can give you real numbers rather than vague estimates.
Here's a breakdown by project type.
General renovation timeline in Singapore
- Minor works (painting, light carpentry): 2–4 weeks
- Partial renovation (kitchen or bathroom only): 4–8 weeks
- Full home renovation: 8–14 weeks
- Major overhaul with hacking and structural work: 12–16 weeks
One thing most people underestimate: permit approval time is not included in these figures. If your project needs an HDB renovation permit, add 2–4 weeks before work even starts.
How long does a BTO renovation take?
- Basic renovation: 6–8 weeks
- Custom works (feature walls, built-ins, full carpentry): 8–12 weeks
BTO flats come bare, so everything gets built from scratch. That means tiling, carpentry, and electrical work all happen at once, which actually speeds things up compared to a resale that needs hacking first. The tradeoff is that lead times for custom furniture or imported materials can push the timeline out.
How long does an HDB resale renovation take?
- Minor renovation (painting, flooring swap): 4–6 weeks
- Full renovation (kitchen, bathrooms, rewiring, hacking): 10–14 weeks
For resale HDB flats, the HDB renovation permit is usually the first bottleneck. Submission to approval takes 2–4 weeks, and you cannot start demolition work before it's approved. Factor this into your move-in planning — most homeowners don't.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
- Simple upgrade (new tiles, fixtures, vanity): 2–4 weeks
- Full remodel (hacking, waterproofing, new plumbing layout): 4–6 weeks
The most common delay in bathroom renovations is waterproofing. After the membrane is applied, it needs 24–48 hours to cure before tiling can begin. Rushing this step causes water seepage problems later, so a good contractor will not skip it regardless of how tight the schedule is.
How long does a kitchen renovation take?
- Cabinet replacement and backsplash: 4–6 weeks
- Full kitchen renovation (hacking, retiling, plumbing changes): 6–8 weeks
The variable that catches people off guard is cabinet lead time. Local fabrication usually takes 2–3 weeks. If you're going with an imported brand or custom sizing, it can stretch to 6–8 weeks. We always advise finalising your kitchen selections before construction starts, not during.
How long does a full house renovation take?
- 3-room or 4-room flat: 8–12 weeks
- 5-room, condo or landed property: 12–16 weeks or more
Full home renovations involve multiple trades working in sequence — hacking first, then electrical, then tiling, then carpentry, then painting. Any delay in one stage pushes everything after it. We build a 2-week buffer into all our project timelines for this reason.
How long is a renovation warranty in Singapore?
Most contractors and ID firms in Singapore offer a 1-year workmanship warranty covering cracks, peeling, water leakage, and minor defects. At Earth Interior, this is included in every contract.
Check the warranty terms before signing. Some contractors define "defects" narrowly or exclude wet areas from coverage.
How long after renovation can you move in?
Wait at least 1–2 weeks after works are completed before moving in. Paint fumes, adhesive off-gassing, and grout residues need time to clear — especially in a Singapore climate where windows are often kept shut.
If you have young children, elderly parents, or anyone with respiratory sensitivities, give it the full two weeks and air the unit out daily.
Summary: renovation durations at a glance
| Project type | Typical duration | |---|---| | Minor works | 2–4 weeks | | Bathroom renovation | 2–6 weeks | | Kitchen renovation | 4–8 weeks | | BTO full renovation | 6–12 weeks | | HDB resale renovation | 4–14 weeks | | Full home overhaul | 8–16 weeks |
Add 2–4 weeks for HDB permit approval if applicable. Add a 2-week buffer for delays regardless of project size.
Planning a renovation in Singapore and want a realistic timeline for your specific unit? Request a free quote and we'll give you a project-specific estimate within 24 hours.
