Before buying a unit — whether it's a BTO, BTO resale, HDB resale, condo, or resale condo — read this comprehensive renovation planning guide to avoid costly mistakes.
Start with the Floor Plan: Your $5 Investment That Could Save Thousands
Okay. Let's say you have $100,000 for renovation. And looking to revamp your whole place while also doing some remodeling of the layout. And your house agent doesn't really advise with planning and is just interested to close the sales. Have a look at this tip.
Buy the floor plan for $5.00 only on HDB's official e-Service website. Fill in your details and pay using a credit/debit card. Download the plan and look at the whole space, specifically the walls that are beams.
Some resale flats have beams for the whole unit which makes remodeling the walls impossible. Don't just buy and regret it later. This small investment helps you understand structural limitations before you commit to the property purchase.
Need help analyzing your floor plan? Visit RCSG.com.sg for professional consultation and expert floor plan assessment.
Understanding Your Property Type
Type of Unit Options:
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BTO (Build-To-Order)
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BTO Resale
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HDB Resale
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Condo
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Resale Condo
Each property type comes with different renovation considerations, timelines, and budget requirements.
Budget Planning: The 10% and 5% Rules
What's your budget? Realistically, it should be 10% of your buying price if you're looking at a whole house renovation. Even so, this does not cover all your wants. This gauge is for basic renovation work.
Another 5% of your unit price should also be set aside for your household items, like fridge, washer, dryer, bed, wardrobe, TV etc. Again, this will cover the basics but it cannot cover all your wants like the $3,800 water dispenser.
Renovation Cost by Property Type:
| Property Type | Typical Budget Range |
|---|---|
| 3-room BTO | $34,200 - $52,100 |
| 4-room BTO | $40,000 - $70,000 |
| 5-room HDB | $45,000 - $93,500 |
| Resale HDB | $50,000 - $90,000 |
| Condo | $25,000 - $100,000+ |
For detailed renovation packages and transparent pricing, explore renovation options at RCSG.
How to Get Your Floor Plan
For HDB Units:
Next. Do you have a floor plan? For HDB it's easy to purchase. Just google for "HDB floor plan" or visit the official HDB e-Service portal, fill in the details and pay with credit/debit card and you can download immediately.
Once you download, print or use apps like Procreate and you'll be able to get the exact dimensions plus minus 50-100mm.
For Condos:
For condos, best is to prepare by measuring the site physically. As all of private developments floor plans are not to scale. There is a tutorial here:- (insert link) that you can watch to learn how you can do this.
Again, this is for laymen, and not for those of you who go to design school and think you know it all. But you don't work in this line, that's why you're here trying to get hands-on knowledge.
You can also purchase condo floor plans from BCA's Plan Purchasing System (PPS) after ownership transfer, or contact your MCST for copies.
Essential Calculations for Renovation Planning
Calculations - 1ft = 305mm, so if you're using the floor plan dimensions to calculate the floor area:
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1.5m x 2m = 3sqm
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3sqm x 10.764 = 32.29sqft
Don't ask me why, this is the formula just follow okay.
So how to get 3000mm into feet? 3000/305 = 9.83ft round off to 10ft.
Understanding Ceiling Heights
Now we go to ceiling height next. Standard HDB units are 8.5ft for the middle floors. Top floor 9ft to 9.5ft in some areas like Punggol/Sengkang. Ground floors varies from 8ft, 8.5ft all the way up to 10ft high.
Height is very important as this would affect total toilet sqft, kitchen wall sqft, carpentry like kitchen top cabinets & wardrobes etc.
Standard HDB Ceiling Heights:
| Floor Type | Ceiling Height |
|---|---|
| Middle Floors | 8.5 feet (2.6m) |
| Top Floor | 9-9.5 feet (2.7-2.75m) |
| Ground Floor | 8-10 feet (varies) |
Photo Documentation is Critical
Have any photos? Resale units would require as much photos as possible. Why? To have a clear view of the unit. And you cannot take based on what the house agent provide you. That's for selling to attract you to buy. During renovation is the moment of truth.
Document everything: walls, ceilings, existing fixtures, problem areas, and structural elements.
Planning Your Renovation Priorities
What do you plan to do? What are your must haves? What can't you live without? What can you live without?
Again, if you have a budget of $70k to over $100k, you don't have to answer these questions. But then again, there is definitely a limit to your budget.
Essential Planning Questions:
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What's your lifestyle? (home office, gaming setup, entertaining)
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What's your cooking style? (appliance requirements)
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What storage do you need? (wardrobes, built-ins, kitchen cabinets)
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What can be compromised if budget is tight?
Now, learning how to plot your floor plan first: (insert link to video here)
After plotting your floor plan, you can now start off with the calculations that you need. Starting off with carpentry, furniture either fix or modular. Bed and any others that you'd like to add in.
📞 Ready to Start Planning? Just a Phone Call Away
Contact RCSG for professional consultation:
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Phone Consultation - Quick guidance: +65 8784 8742
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Google Meet - Virtual detailed planning
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Face-to-Face Consultation - Office meeting at 31 Woodlands Close
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On-Site Consultation - Property assessment and measurement
Professional consultation: S$150/hour + S$150 for itemized quote
Electrical Planning: Power Points, Lighting & More
After this it's the electrical. Light positioning, ceiling fans, corner fans, PowerPoints and LAN cables. How you work, what you do and whether you are an avid gamer will be the main considerations here.
Key Electrical Considerations:
Power Points Planning:
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Living room: TV console, side tables, floor outlets
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Kitchen: Dedicated circuits for major appliances, countertop outlets
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Bedrooms: Bedside outlets (both sides), desk area circuits
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Gaming setup: Multiple outlets, LAN cables for stable connection
Lighting Layout:
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Natural light assessment
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Ambient, task, and accent lighting layers
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Smart home integration options
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Dimmer switches for mood control
Cable Management:
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LAN cable outlets for gaming and work-from-home setups
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Concealed wiring for clean aesthetics
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Future-proofing for additional devices
For comprehensive electrical planning guidance, consult with RCSG's renovation experts.
Plumbing Planning: Heaters & Sanitaryware
Next, plumbing! Instant heater or storage tank? How about gas heater tank, ever considered for this? Sanitaryware also plays a big part as well.
Water Heater Options:
Instant Water Heaters:
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Compact and space-saving design
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Energy efficient - heats on demand
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Lower initial cost
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NEA recommended over storage types
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Consideration: Temperature may fluctuate
Storage Water Heaters:
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Consistent temperature during use
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Better water pressure
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Consideration: Bulky, requires more space, higher energy consumption
Gas Water Heaters:
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Lower CO2 emissions than electric storage
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No standby heat loss
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Requires town gas network access
Shower & Fixture Selection:
From experience, I can tell you that mixer with shower columns have more variety and nicer designs to choose from. Especially when you want those gold, rose gold, gun metal options.
Planning for vanity as to whether it can fit in your bathroom/toilets. Some toilets are big, although due to the layout and PVC piping placement, having a vanity may be too bulky.
Vanity Cabinet Sizes Available:
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Compact: 30cm, 35cm, 40cm widths
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Standard: 44cm, 48cm
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Large: 60cm, 80cm for spacious bathrooms
Important: Always check PVC piping locations on your floor plan before purchasing vanity cabinets.
Understanding Structural Limitations
Remember: Some walls are structural beams that cannot be hacked or removed. This is why purchasing the $5 HDB floor plan before buying is crucial.
Cannot Be Modified:
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Load-bearing walls and structural beams
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Columns supporting building structure
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Concealed piping in RC slabs/walls
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Window structures (units above ground floor)
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Bomb shelters (only painting allowed)
Always verify structural elements on your official floor plan before committing to any property purchase.
Renovation Timeline by Property Type
BTO Renovations: 6-10 weeks average
Resale HDB: 8-12 weeks (due to hacking and demolition)
Condo Resale: 10-14 weeks (includes MCST approval time)
Add 2-3 weeks for HDB permit application processing before work begins.
Professional Renovation Services with RCSG
Why Choose RCSG:
✅ HDB Licensed Contractor - Official DRC registration
✅ BCA Registered - Full building authority compliance
✅ BizSafe3 Certified - Workplace safety standards
✅ Transparent Pricing - Published packages, no hidden charges
✅ 12-Month Warranty - Comprehensive coverage
✅ 6-8 Week Completion - Guaranteed timeline for whole house
✅ Established Since 2017 - 300+ completed projects
Consultation Services Available:
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📞 Phone Consultation - Immediate guidance for quick questions
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💻 Google Meet - Virtual planning with screen sharing
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🏢 Face-to-Face - Office consultation at 31 Woodlands Close #03-06
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🏠 On-Site Assessment - Professional measurement and evaluation
Consultation Investment: S$150/hour + S$150 for detailed itemized quotation
(Fees typically offset if you proceed with renovation)
Take Action Now: Your Renovation Planning Checklist
✅ Step 1: Purchase HDB floor plan ($5) for properties you're considering
✅ Step 2: Analyze structural beams and renovation limitations
✅ Step 3: Calculate realistic budget (10% + 5% rule)
✅ Step 4: Document with extensive photos (don't rely on agent photos)
✅ Step 5: Plan electrical layout based on lifestyle needs
✅ Step 6: Decide on plumbing fixtures and water heater type
✅ Step 7: Book professional consultation for expert verification
Contact RCSG Today - Just a Phone Call Away
Don't buy and regret later. Invest in professional planning guidance before you commit to your property purchase.
📞 Contact Renovation Contractor Singapore (RCSG):
🌐 Website: RCSG.com.sg
📱 Phone/WhatsApp: +65 8784 8742
📧 Email: rcs@renovationcontractorsingapore.com
📍 Office: 31 Woodlands Close #03-06, Singapore 737855
Services Available:
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Pre-purchase property evaluation
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Floor plan analysis and consultation
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Complete HDB renovation packages from $7,790
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BTO and resale flat renovations
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Condo and private property renovations
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HDB permit application handling
Ready to Transform Your Home?
Visit RCSG.com.sg for:
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Detailed renovation packages with transparent pricing
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Portfolio of 300+ completed projects
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Free initial consultation booking
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Comprehensive renovation guides and resources
Remember: Your $5 floor plan investment + professional consultation can save you $10,000 to $50,000 in avoided mistakes and unsuitable property purchases.
Start your renovation journey with confidence. Contact RCSG today.
