It’s not uncommon to hear of homeowners ending up with no residential options while renovations are ongoing. Deciding how to renovate your home can be overwhelming as it is. Throw in the actual construction and painting work needed, and many homeowners might be put off from actually going ahead with any renovation plans.
However, some do not have much choice, for example, those who live in old HDB flats.
Since 2007, the Housing Board’s Home Improvement Programme has been offered to such residents to take care of common problems such as spalling concrete, structural cracks and replacing waste pipes.
These come under HDB’s “essential improvements”. Homeowners can also choose “optional improvements” such as upgrading their toilets.
Between last year and this year, about 100,000 households have been offered HIP. Depending on how much work needs to be done, renovations under HIP will last either four or 10 working days.
For those undergoing HIP renovations, or want to renovate their house on their own, we offer tips on how to survive an on-going home renovation.
Can I Stay At Home During HIP?
Yes, you can. And many have done so before. Your bedrooms will remain untouched by the HIP workers and renovation. In fact, the HIP construction workers will set up floor to ceiling plastic sheets to prevent dust and dirt from getting into your bedrooms. However, the thin and filmsy plastic sheet is not magic. A considerable amount of dust and flyaway stones and debris will still get into your rooms.
On your hacking days, the cloud of dust can be extremely suffocating. If you intend to continue staying in your home, you will need to hang out around the void deck (there will be community study and work areas set up for residents) and come back home only in the evening.
Your rooms will be coated with thick layers of white and grey dust, so you’ll need to do heavy cleaning and vacuuming every single night.
![pexels-la-miko-3615722-683x1024-1 Home Improvement Programme: How to Prevent Dust?](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pexels-la-miko-3615722-683x1024-1.jpg)
Home Improvement Programme: How to Prevent Dust?
If you do not want to move out during the HDB Home Improvement Programme period, arrange your furniture such that you leave at least one room that you can occupy and keep your important belongings.
Also, consider putting locks on the doors of this room as an added safety precaution.
For HIP, at least one adult – either the homeowner or an authorised friend or relative – has to be present in the house while works are being carried out. However, the workers and contractors are quite relaxed. Lock up your bedrooms and belongings, and let the workers know you’re chilling out by the lift lobby or staircase instead, away from the heavy drilling, hacking, and dust
Dustproof the specific room that you will be temporarily staying in during the renovations, or rooms that are not affected by the renovation.
Aside from keeping bedroom doors closed, you can use plastic drop cloths that are easily found at hardware and paint stores to keep some of the dust out, and cover your furniture as well.
![nippon-paint-plastic-drop-sheet Nippon Paint Sheet](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/nippon-paint-plastic-drop-sheet.jpg)
Nippon Paint Plastic Drop Sheet
One product that most HDB HIP upgraders use is the Nippon Paint Plastic Drop Cloth that typically costs $0.80 to $2 per sheet. Each sheet measures 2.7m by 3.6m. Take some masking tape, climb up the ladder, and tape this plastic sheet from floor to ceiling. Preferably, you tape several overlapping layers to prevent dust cloud from wafting into your rooms.
For those under the HIP programme, homeowners have to use a common toilet in the void deck. This common toilet is very clean. If you’re concerned about security, get a family member to sit outside the cubicle and watch over your door while you shower or use the toilet, and vice versa.
![54835-children-reno-3](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/54835-children-reno-3.png)
If you opted for a portable toilet to be installed in your flat at night, it comes with a heated shower so that homeowners do not have to head to the void deck.
The toilet is dismantled the next day so that it does not get in the way of construction work.
For those who are renovating on their own post-HIP, ask your contractor to leave at least one working bathroom available during the renovation period.
![pexels-helena-lopes-3215519-1024x683-1 Where to Stay During HDB Upgrading?](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/pexels-helena-lopes-3215519-1024x683-1.jpg)
Where to Stay During HDB Upgrading?
Dirty surfaces and loud drilling can be a pain to live with, especially if your renovation process is long. And you would not want to be in the way of the contractors when they are working.
Also, you may not have running water, working toilets or electricity at times.
So, consider moving out while the work is ongoing. An easy solution would be to bunk in with relatives or friends who have extra bedrooms – and do not mind your company for an extended period.
6 Home Improvement Packages by Hotels
Alternatively, if you can afford it, check yourself into a hotel or a service apartment that comes complete with a kitchenette.
Orchid Country Club ($190 per night)
Located off Yishun Avenue 1, Orchid Golf & Resort Hotel was one of the earliest to launch a HIP hotel package. The club noticed many homeowners in the area checking in while they carried out renovation works at home.
For 11 days and 10 nights, you get to choose between:
- Deluxe Room ($1,900++)
- Deluxe Family Room ($2,300++)
Guests have complimentary use of the pool, sauna and gym, and free Internet access, parking, and shuttle bus services too. You can do your laundry at the club’s coin-operated laundromat, eat at its dining outlets and pick up groceries at a supermarket on-site.
![orchard-parksuites_loft_hi-res-1024x354-1 Far East Hospitality Serviced Apartment Orchard Parksuites](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/orchard-parksuites_loft_hi-res-1024x354-1.jpg)
Far East Hospitality Serviced Residences ($399 per night)
Far East Hospitality’s seven serviced residences are up for considerations as well. Their Reno-Cation package gives you a fixed $100 off your weekly room rates.
Other perks include a 40 per cent discount with storage company Store-Y, and 20 per cent cleaning services by Agape Services.
The seven Far East Hospitality serviced residences and their room rates are:
- Far East Plaza Residences: Not available
- Oasia Residence, West Coast: $399 per night
- Orchard Parksuites: $475 per night
- Orchard Scotts Residences: Not available
- Village Residence Hougang: $583 per night
- Village Residence Robertson Quay: $612 per night
- Village Residence West Coast: Not available
Do note that since these are serviced residences, you’re required to make a minimum booking of six nights.
![great-world-serviced-apartment Great World Serviced Apartment](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/great-world-serviced-apartment.jpg)
Great World Serviced Apartments ($546 per night)
Located right above Great World City, Great World Serviced Apartments offer a Renovation Staycay Promo for two or three-bedroom apartments.
Pets are welcome, and you will get to use all of the serviced apartment’s facilities such as the shuttle bus service, WiFi, complimentary parking for one car, twice weekly housekeeping, pool and basketball court.
You’ll need to make a minimum booking of 10 nights.
![treetops-serviced-apartment-singapore-eco-luxury-living Treetops Serviced Apartments](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/treetops-serviced-apartment-singapore-eco-luxury-living.jpg)
Treetops Serviced Apartments ($318 per night)
Nestled in the upscale Orange Grove neighbourhood (just opposite Orchard Hotel), Treetops is a eco-luxury serviced apartment with 220 units fully furnished units. Treetops has a Renovation Special catered to such short-term stays. You will enjoy the same housekeeping services that residents enjoy.
A 10-day Staycation Package with Treetop Serviced Apartments will set you back by $3,186 for a one-bedroom apartment with one king-sized bed. For two-bedroom apartments, you’ll be paying $4,869 for a king bed and two twin beds.
![wilby-central-residences Wilby Central Serviced Residences](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/wilby-central-residences.jpg)
Wilby Central Serviced Residences ($217 per night)
Located opposite the National Library along Queen Street, Wilby Central Serviced Apartments might make a nice staycation while your house is under renovation. Priced at $217 per night, the basic Studio Superior Room gives you a king sized bed, daily breakfast, and other in-room tea and coffee amenities.
You do get a fully functional kitchen for your own cooking as well.
![st-signature-chinatown-1024x763-1 ST Signature Chinatown](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/st-signature-chinatown-1024x763-1.png)
ST Signature Hostel
For something more wallet-friendly, pop onto Tripadvisor, Airbnb, or Agoda and book a hostel. No, not all hostels are backpackers’ style. There are some pretty nice capsule and individual room hostels around town, too.
At ST Signature Chinatown, located along 273A South Bridge Road), you’ll be paying $170 per night for your own room with a double bed, TV, and sockets, mirrors etc. However, you’ll be sharing a common toilet (lots of cubicles like a gym), and the communal kitchen.
![54836-children-reno-4](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/54836-children-reno-4.png)
Rent Storage Space Singapore: Prices
Explore storage options for your precious furniture and computers, too (especially if you need them for work).
Bulky furniture pieces can get in the way of construction work and painting. And you would not want to have precious artwork, clothes, bags or gadgets covered in dust or paint, or worse, risk them being broken.
Put these items in a self-storage facility such as StoreFriendly or Extra Space Asia. You can pick a storage unit big or small enough to hold your belongings.
StoreFriendly Prices
StoreFriendly Storage | Prices (per month) |
1.2m cube locker | $98 |
16 sq ft lockers (robots transported, unmanned) | $118 |
16 sq ft lockers | $138 |
24 sq ft lockers | $198 |
48 sq ft storage | $328 |
100 sq ft storage | $578 |
The smallest space up for rent is a 1.2m cube locker (fits six to eight boxes), and costs $98 per month. That’s followed by 16 sq ft lockers (for 12 to 16 boxes) that costs $118 or $138, 24 sq ft lockers from $198, 48 sq ft storage (fits furniture) from $328 per month, and 100 sq ft storage (mini warehouse for businesses) from $578 per month.
Extra Space Self Storage Prices
The pricing for storage units at Extra Space Self Storage differs. Prices range from $50 to $1,000 per month depending on how big the unit is, where the storage facility is and if the unit you pick is air conditioned.
Prices are not entirely published online. You’re required to call in to enquire for a quotation.
Work + Store
Work + Store | Prices (per month) |
6 sq ft locker | $50 |
10 sq ft locker | $90 |
80 sq ft storage | $530 |
100 sq ft storage | $610 |
115 sq ft storage | $710 |
125 sq ft storage | $800 |
Some companies offer boxes and have pick-up services, too. For example, Work+Store works on a “valet” concept. They send over free plastic boxes which come with anti-tamper seals for regular-sized items.
You can also leave odd-sized items such as luggage and sports equipment with them.
Work+Store charges monthly rates, from $12 a month for a box, and offers free pick-up of packed boxes and bulky items.
The Storage Place Prices
The Storage Place | Prices (per month) |
10 sq ft storage | $59 |
20 sq ft storage | $79 |
40 sq ft storage | $129 |
60 sq ft storage | $189 |
80 sq ft storage | $239 |
100 sq ft storage | $279 |
There are numerous storage options in Singapore. The Storage Place, for example, has eight locations spanning Jalan Pemimpin, Eunos, Geylang, Kallang, Tannery Road, Jalan Besut, and Defu Lane.
Prices range from $59 to $279 per month. There’s also a $0.01 promotion for the first month (with minimum three months commitment).
Stock Up on Non-Perishable Foods
![54837-children-reno-5](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/54837-children-reno-5.png)
Stock up on non-perishable food items that don’t require refrigeration or much cooking.
Homeowners should also stock up on non-perishable food items during the renovation period. That’s because your refrigerator may be disconnected from the power supply.
Move some appliances such as toasters or microwaves out of the kitchen and to an easily accessible place so that you can still use them.
Also buy food that is easy to prepare, or consider eating out during the renovation period. This lessens the hassle of having to clean cooking utensils and cutlery.
Part of this article first appeared on The Straits Times.