Renovations are exciting times for most owners until the stress of delays start piling up. 1 week turns into 2, and before you know it, your “2-month” reno drags into 5 months. So how long should a renovation really take in Singapore? And what’s a reasonable delay versus a red flag? Here’s a breakdown of the typical renovation timeline and tips to stay on schedule.
Average Renovation Timeline in Singapore (8–12 weeks on average)
1. Planning and Design (2–4 weeks)
This includes consultations with your ID, design proposals, quotation comparison, and finalising your scope of work. Don’t rush this portion as it sets the tone for everything else.
2. Permits and HDB Approval (1–2 weeks)
If hacking walls, moving sinks, or heavy tiling is involved, your contractor will need to apply for HDB permits. This can take up to 2 weeks.
3. Hacking and Demolition (3–5 days)
For resale flats, this involves removing old tiles, fixtures, or walls. Noise restrictions apply (usually 9am–5pm on weekdays).
4. Wet Works such as Tiling, Plumbing (2–3 weeks)
This includes flooring, toilet waterproofing, installing new pipes and fittings. It's time-consuming due to drying times between layers.
5. Electrical Works (1 week)
Installing lighting points, switches, power sockets, and running concealed wiring if needed.
6. Carpentry (3–5 weeks)
This is often the longest phase. Carpentry is usually done off-site in the factories and installed later. Delays can happen due to backlog at the workshop. Always check with the ID on the status as some carpentry are fabricated outside of Singapore.
7. Painting and Final Touches (1 week)
Final wall painting, silicone sealing, grouting, and final clean-up happens here.
Factors That Can Cause Delays
- Scope changes mid-project (additional tiles, carpentry etc)
- Material shipment delays (especially for customised items)
- Inexperienced project managers
- Tight schedules during festive periods (like Chinese New Year)
- Manpower shortages
When to Worry
- No progress for over a week with no explanation
- Repeated delays with vague reasons (“supplier delay”, “next week will resume”)
- Incomplete works despite full or near-full payment
Tips to Keep Your Reno on Track
1. Set milestone-based payments: never pay more than 50% before carpentry starts.
2. Request weekly updates: via photos, site visits, or WhatsApp.
3. Avoid major scope changes mid-way: they almost always delay work due to rescheduling by the ID as they usually have multiple sites to co-ordinate
4. Choose IDs with in-house project managers: they coordinate works more efficiently.
5. Always add buffer time: plan your move-in date at least 2–4 weeks after the projected end.
Final Thoughts
Delays happen but they shouldn’t be endless. Knowing the standard timeline helps you manage expectations and hold your ID accountable.