The kitchen is the room you use most, and the one where the most trades meet: hacking, plumbing, gas, electrical, tiling and carpentry all have to fit together. Reno Guys handles kitchen renovation in Singapore for HDB flats, condos and landed homes, with cabinets built in our own Woodlands workshop. We are BCA registered, licensed, bonded and insured, with over 30 years of experience.
Kitchen Renovation for HDB, BTO, Resale and Condo Homes
New BTO flats
Most BTO kitchens arrive with tiles and a few fittings, so the work is mainly carpentry, worktops, the sink and hob, lighting and extra power points. Many owners also ask about opening the kitchen to the living area. Whether a wall can be removed depends on your flat’s layout and needs HDB’s approval first.
Resale HDB flats
Older kitchens often need a full redo: hacking old cabinets and tiles, new water and waste pipes, rewiring, new floor and wall tiles, and new carpentry. Hidden problems such as old pipes or hollow tiles usually appear once hacking starts, so we check the kitchen carefully at the site visit.
Condos and landed homes
Condo kitchens are often open or semi-open, so the finishes need to match the living area, and the hood and ventilation need extra thought. Works follow the MCST’s renovation by-laws and approved hours. Landed homes have more freedom to change the layout, and plumbing and gas routes need to be planned early.
Kitchen Layouts That Work in Singapore Homes
| Layout | Best For | Things to Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Single wall (one-line) | Narrow HDB kitchens and studio units | Tall units for storage, and enough worktop between the sink and hob |
| Galley (two parallel runs) | Most 3-room to 5-room HDB kitchens | Walkway width, and door swings that don’t clash |
| L-shaped | Open kitchens and condo units | Corner storage such as a magic corner or carousel |
| U-shaped | Larger resale flats and landed homes | Corner access and lighting over every worktop |
| Island or peninsula | Open-concept condos and landed homes | Clearance around the island, and power and plumbing in the floor |
What Our Kitchen Renovation Covers
- Hacking and removal: old cabinets, worktops, tiles and approved walls, with debris cleared and common areas protected. See our hacking and demolition services.
- Kitchen cabinets made in our workshop: top and bottom cabinets, tall units, appliance housings, pull-out storage and islands, built to measure. See our kitchen carpentry and our guide to kitchen cabinets for small spaces.
- Worktops: quartz, solid surface, sintered stone, granite and compact laminate, with cut-outs for the sink and hob.
- Sinks and taps: top-mount and under-mount sinks, and pull-out or filter taps. Compare options in our guide to kitchen sink brands in Singapore.
- Floor and wall tiling: slip-resistant floor tiles and easy-to-clean backsplashes. See our tiling services.
- Plumbing: new water and waste pipes, sink and dishwasher points, and water heaters, done by PUB-licensed plumbers. See our plumbing services.
- Electrical: power points for appliances, a dedicated circuit for the oven or induction hob, and under-cabinet and ceiling lighting, done by EMA-licensed electrical workers. See our electrical services.
- Hood, hob and appliances: installation of the cooker hood, hob, oven and built-in appliances, with the ducting planned.
Kitchen Renovation Rules to Know
HDB flats
- Floor finishes: replacing kitchen floor tiles needs an HDB permit. The new finish and screed together must not be more than 50mm thick, and the kitchen floor needs a pre-packed waterproofing screed, with a waterproofing membrane around the sanitary pipes.
- Walls: hacking or removing a wall needs HDB’s prior written approval and certified workers. Structural walls, columns, beams and slabs must never be hacked.
- Countertops: a standard countertop on cabinets generally doesn’t need a permit. A concrete or brick base for the countertop has limits on its thickness, so check with us before you design one.
- Gas: changes to gas pipes must be done by City Energy or a licensed gas service worker. Gas pipes must not be hidden inside common walls.
- Licensed trades: water and sanitary plumbing must be done by a PUB-licensed plumber, and electrical works by an EMA-licensed electrical worker.
- Work hours: noisy works such as hacking and drilling are allowed only during set weekday hours, and neighbours must be told before works start.
Condos
Condo kitchens follow the MCST’s renovation by-laws, which usually require an application, a renovation deposit and set working hours. Some condos also limit changes to the hood ducting and gas.
HDB updates its guidelines from time to time, so we check the latest rules on the HDB website for every job.
Our Kitchen Renovation Process
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Site visit and measurement | We measure the kitchen and check the pipes, gas, power points, tiles and walls, and discuss how you cook and what you need to store. |
| 2. Layout and quotation | You get a layout, material options for the cabinets and worktop, and an itemised quotation. |
| 3. Permits and notices | We prepare the HDB permit or MCST application and the neighbour notices. |
| 4. Hacking | Old cabinets, worktops and tiles are removed, along with any approved walls. |
| 5. Plumbing, gas and electrical | New pipes, gas points (by a licensed gas worker) and wiring go in before the walls are closed. |
| 6. Waterproofing and tiling | We lay the waterproofing screed and membrane, water-test the floor before tiling, then tile the floor and walls. |
| 7. Cabinets and worktop | Cabinets from our workshop are installed, and the worktop is templated and fitted. |
| 8. Sink, hob, hood and appliances | Fittings and appliances are connected and tested. |
| 9. Handover | We test every tap, drain, socket and light with you, then clean up. |
On HDB jobs, we can sequence the works so one room in your flat stays usable during the renovation.
Cabinet and Worktop Materials
| Part | Common Options | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet boxes | Plywood, moisture-resistant board, aluminium | Use moisture-resistant board or aluminium under the sink |
| Cabinet doors | Laminate, 4D laminate, spray paint, glass | Laminate is the most durable choice for daily use |
| Worktop | Quartz, solid surface, sintered stone, granite, compact laminate | Quartz is popular for HDB kitchens; sintered stone handles heat best |
| Backsplash | Tiles, tempered glass, the same stone as the worktop | Fewer joints are easier to clean |
| Hardware | Soft-close hinges and runners, pull-out baskets, lift-up doors | Hardware takes the most daily wear, so it is worth spending on |
What Affects the Cost of Kitchen Renovation
| Item | What Affects the Cost |
|---|---|
| Scope of work | Cabinets only, overlay or a full hack-and-redo |
| Size and layout | Length of the cabinet runs, and layout changes |
| Cabinets | Board, door finish, height and internal fittings |
| Worktop | Material, length and cut-outs |
| Hacking and tiling | Tiles and walls removed, and the new tiles chosen |
| Plumbing, gas and electrical | Moving the sink or hob, new points and a new circuit |
| Appliances and fittings | Brand and type of sink, tap, hob, hood and oven |
For a detailed breakdown, read our guide to kitchen renovation cost in Singapore.
Note: Every kitchen is different. Contact us for a free, itemised quote based on your exact requirements.
How Long Does a Kitchen Renovation Take?
It depends on the scope. Replacing cabinets and the worktop in a kitchen whose tiles and pipes stay is the quickest job. A full hack-and-redo takes longer, because it needs hacking, plumbing and electrical work, screed and membrane curing, a water test, tiling, then cabinet and worktop installation. Workshop production of the cabinets and templating of the worktop also add time, as do HDB’s limits on noisy works. We give you a schedule with your quotation.
Tips for Planning Your Kitchen Renovation
- Plan the work triangle. Keep the sink, hob and fridge close, with worktop space between them.
- Count your appliances. List every appliance before the electrical layout is fixed, so each has its own power point.
- Use the full height. Cabinets up to the ceiling add storage and leave no dust-trapping gap on top.
- Light the worktop. Under-cabinet lights stop you working in your own shadow.
- Choose the hood early. Its size and ducting route affect the top cabinets.
- Compare itemised quotes. Ask each contractor for the same breakdown of scope, materials and timeline.
Ready to plan your new kitchen? Request a free quote or WhatsApp us at +65 9731 6300.
