Renovation Guide
New flat renovation in Singapore: honest costs and what to expect
Collecting the keys to a new flat is exciting, and slightly overwhelming. One minute you are holding a floor plan, the next you are comparing quotations that differ by tens of thousands of dollars with no clear reason why.
This guide is written the way we would explain it to a friend over coffee. Realistic numbers, real timelines, and the decisions that actually matter before you commit to anything.
Send us your floor plan for a free, no-obligation quote. We reply with a clear cost range and timeline, not a sales pitch.
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How much does a new flat renovation cost?
These are ballpark ranges we see in the Singapore market for a full renovation with carpentry, based on recent projects. Your final figure depends on the size of your home, how much built-in work you want and the finishes you pick.
| Scope of work | Typical range | What affects it |
|---|---|---|
| Compact 2 to 3-room flat | $30,000 to $45,000 | Lighter carpentry, one kitchen, one or two bathrooms. |
| Standard 4-room flat | $40,000 to $60,000 | Full kitchen, wardrobes and selected feature walls. |
| Larger 5-room flat | $50,000 to $75,000 | More floor area and carpentry, often with a study or dry kitchen. |
| Premium finishes and extensive carpentry | $75,000 and up | Stone countertops, full-height cabinetry, platform beds and curved details. |
Figures are market ballparks for guidance only, not a quotation. Every home is priced after we understand your floor plan, lifestyle and material preferences. Any required building or management submissions are confirmed before work begins.
When should you start planning?
Start the conversation about three to four months before your key collection date. That gives enough time to settle the design, confirm materials and prepare any required submissions so work can begin soon after you collect keys.
A typical new flat renovation takes eight to twelve weeks of on-site work. Carpentry fabrication happens in parallel off-site, which is why in-house workshops like ours can keep timelines tighter and quality more consistent than farming work out to third parties.
Where the money actually goes
Carpentry is usually the biggest line item, often a third to half the budget. Kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, TV consoles and study desks are all custom-built, and this is where cheap quotes can cut corners with thinner boards and weaker hinges.
Electrical and lighting come next, then tiling, painting and bathroom plumbing. If a quotation looks far cheaper than others, check what is missing. Haulage, debris removal, cleaning and protection works are real costs that sometimes appear later as extras.
Design decisions worth slowing down for
Decide how you live before you decide how it looks. If you cook daily, plan a kitchen that keeps the hob, sink and fridge within easy reach, with full-height storage for bulky appliances. If you work from home, settle the study nook and power points before finished walls make changes expensive.
Open-concept layouts can make a modest floor area feel generous. Think honestly about cooking smells and air-conditioning before opening the kitchen. A well-designed glass partition often gives you openness without the trade-offs.
Why design and build under one roof matters
Many homeowners meet a designer who draws beautifully, then hands the job to contractors they have never worked with. Details get lost, and finger-pointing starts when something goes wrong.
At Quad.R Design, the same team that designs your home also builds it. Our carpenters work from our own drawings, our project managers walk the site weekly, and you get one point of contact from the first sketch to the final handover.
Common questions
How long does a new flat renovation take?
Most new flat renovations take eight to twelve weeks of on-site work. Homes with extensive custom carpentry or major layout changes can take longer. We provide a week-by-week schedule before work starts.
Can I plan the renovation before collecting my keys?
Yes. Design, material selection and preliminary planning can begin from the floor plan. A site inspection after key collection confirms measurements and conditions before the quotation and work schedule are finalised.
Will my renovation need approval?
Approval depends on your property and the work proposed. We identify the relevant building or management requirements during planning and explain what must be completed before work starts.
What should I prepare before meeting a designer?
Bring your floor plan, a rough budget range and photos of homes you like. Tell us how many people live in the home, how you cook and whether you work from home. Good design starts from your habits, not from a catalogue.
Collecting your new home keys soon?
Tell us about your flat and how you want to live in it. We will come back with an honest conversation about budget, timeline and what your home could become. No obligations, no hard selling.
Prefer to see finished homes first? Browse our projects or watch a home tour.