Singapore Kitchen Renovation — Regulatory Reality, Cost, Timeline

Wet works in Singapore — bathrooms, kitchens, hacking of tiles and screed — is the highest-volume renovation scope and carries the strictest regulatory footprint. HDB waterproofing warranty requirements and the Qualified Person (QP) supervision rule for waterproofing membrane installation are non-negotiable.

AskBaily routes singapore kitchen renovation to a BCA-registered (RC/LB scheme) Singapore contractor who files HDB or MCST permits, coordinates the Qualified Person sign-off where the scope needs it, and closes handover with the right inspection certificates. Qanvast and HomeRenoGuru blast the enquiry to a dozen ID firms; Baily sends it to one contractor who knows the wet works kitchen rulebook.

What this involves in Singapore

HDB waterproofing warranty requirements and the Qualified Person (QP) supervision rule for waterproofing membrane installation are non-negotiable.. Expect 3–6 weeks per wet-area, and a typical cost of S$8,000–S$25,000 per wet area, S$20,000–S$60,000 kitchen. HDB flats need a permit issued through the HDB Renovation Contractors scheme; condo and landed work runs through the MCST by-laws plus URA/BCA and SCDF layers. GST at 9% applies on contractor invoices above the registration threshold.

Key considerations

• Wet-works Qualified Person (QP) supervision mandatory for waterproofing re-layout in HDB flats.
• HDB 5cm floor-screed cap — once exceeded, HDB rejects the permit. Applies to wet-works re-screeding.
• Tile-over-tile hacking is prohibited in HDB — must hack to the screed.
• GST 9% applies on contractor invoices above the GST-registration threshold.

FAQs

Q: Do I need HDB or BCA approval for kitchen renovation? A: If the flat is HDB, yes — the RC (Registered Contractor) files a renovation permit with HDB before any hacking starts. For condominium or landed, BCA Licensed Builder and MCST written consent replace the HDB route. Timeline for permit issue is typically 1–3 weeks.

Q: What is the typical cost range in Singapore dollars? A: S$8,000–S$25,000 per wet area, S$20,000–S$60,000 kitchen, inclusive of GST at 9%. Costs scale with floor area, material specification, and whether Qualified Person sign-off is required for wet works or structural scope.

Q: Which authority signs off the work? A: HDB Renovation Department for HDB flats, the MCST for condominiums, URA for landed envelope changes, and BCA for any Licensed Builder structural works. SCDF provides the fire-safety clearance where a fire-rated barrier is affected.

STUB: Expand to 1,200 words in the next content sprint. Cover: step-by-step permit workflow, detailed cost ranges in SGD, timeline expectations, common failure modes on HDB versus condo versus landed, contractor qualifications under the BCA CRS workhead scheme.