Is renovation paid in cash or can it be financed?

In Singapore, renovation is commonly paid in cash, staged across milestones. Some banks offer renovation loans, but the interest cost and monthly burden should be evaluated alongside your mortgage and liquidity buffer.

How much buffer should I set aside for renovation?

A practical buffer is 10–20% of your renovation budget (more if you are doing heavy wet works or older resale units). The goal is to avoid a liquidity crisis right after purchase.

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Renovation Cost in Singapore (2026): The Real Cash Shock After You Buy

Q: How much does renovation cost in Singapore in 2026?

It depends on property type and scope. For planning, think in bands (not exact quotes): light refresh, functional renovation, and full overhaul. The biggest swing factors are carpentry, wet works (toilets/kitchen), aircon, electrical upgrades, and how much you customise.

Q: What are the most common hidden renovation costs?

Hidden costs often include hacking and debris disposal, electrical rewiring, plumbing replacements, waterproofing, aircon trunking, window/door replacements, pest treatment, and defect rectification.

Last updated: February 2026

Renovation is usually the first post-purchase shock. It’s not “nice to have” — it’s the practical step that turns a unit into a livable asset. The problem is that renovation spend is often underestimated and poorly timed, creating a liquidity squeeze right after you’ve already paid BSD, downpayment, and legal fees.

Start here (fast path)

1) Anchor the full ownership model: Property Ownership Cost (5-Year Total Exposure Model)
2) If you’re planning cash: How Much Cash You Need to Buy Property
3) If you’re comparing unit types: BTO vs Resale · Condo Ownership

This is a planning framework. Renovation quotes vary widely. The goal is to budget in sane bands and avoid liquidity fragility.

Jump to What You Need

1) Planning bands (how to budget without lying to yourself)
2) What actually drives renovation cost
3) Hidden items people forget
4) Payment timing and cash shock planning
5) Decision rules (avoid over-renovating)
FAQ

1) Planning Bands (Budget Without Lying to Yourself)

Renovation budgets are best planned in bands: light refresh, functional renovation, and full overhaul. Exact numbers depend on size, condition, and how much carpentry/wet works you do — but the banding approach prevents optimistic budgeting.

Band	Typical scope	Who it fits
Light refresh	Paint, minor fixtures, simple furniture/appliances, small touch-ups	Units in good condition; buyers prioritising liquidity
Functional renovation	Kitchen/toilet refresh, basic carpentry, lighting, aircon, targeted rewiring	Most resale buyers; “move-in ready” without over-customisation
Full overhaul	Major hacking, full wet works, heavy carpentry, full electrical/plumbing refresh	Older units; buyers willing to trade liquidity for a custom build

Renovation spend is easiest to justify when it improves livability and durability, not when it tries to “out-design” the market.

2) What Actually Drives Renovation Cost

Carpentry: wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, feature walls (custom = expensive)
Wet works: toilets, kitchen, waterproofing, tiling
Electrical: rewiring, DB upgrades, lighting plans
Aircon: system, trunking, installation complexity
Doors/windows: replacements, grilles, window works
Condition & age: older resale units hide more surprises

3) Hidden Items People Forget

Hacking + debris disposal
Defects and rectification (especially resale)
Pest treatment / mould remediation
Plumbing replacements (not just fixtures)
Waterproofing repairs before tiles go in
Appliances + soft furnishing (often excluded from “reno quote”)

4) Payment Timing (Avoid the Cash Shock)

Renovation payments are commonly staged: deposit → milestone → completion. This matters because your biggest cash drains tend to cluster around purchase completion.

Practical planning rule

Keep a dedicated renovation fund separate from your emergency fund
Hold a 10–20% buffer on top of your expected renovation spend
If you are financing renovation, compare it against your mortgage interest exposure: Mortgage Interest Cost

5) Decision Rules (Avoid Over-Renovating)

If renovation spend forces you to run “near-zero cash”, you are buying fragility.
Prioritise durability upgrades (electrical, plumbing, waterproofing) over cosmetic upgrades.
Don’t renovate for resale fantasy. Renovate for the holding period you can actually commit to.
Use the full exposure model to sanity check: Property Ownership Cost.

FAQ

How much does renovation cost in Singapore in 2026?

Use planning bands: light refresh, functional renovation, or full overhaul. The big swing factors are carpentry, wet works, aircon, and electrical upgrades.

Is renovation paid in cash?

Often yes, staged by milestones. Renovation loans exist, but you should evaluate the interest and monthly burden alongside your mortgage and liquidity buffer.

What hidden costs should I budget for?

Hacking/disposal, defects rectification, rewiring, plumbing replacements, waterproofing, aircon trunking, and appliances/furnishing.

How much buffer should I set aside?

A practical buffer is 10–20% of your renovation budget (more for older resale units with heavy wet works).