Home renovation typically entails significant financial commitments. For the typical homebuyer, whether a BTO or resale property, however, a long process awaits before the home is ready for moving-in day.
Recent global issues have led to increased prices, including in the renovation sector. Shipping, supply chain and labour issues are among the factors that have led to delays and price increases, adding to the stress of home renovation.
“The costs are rising. As for delays, that is typically due to the materials coming in from different countries,” says Kef Tan, creative director of d’Phenomenal, who added that working with a local team or
factory eases delays.
“The costs are rising. As for delays, that is typically due to the materials coming in from different countries.”
Kef Tan, d’Phenomenal
Many homeowners have an idea of their dream home. However, in such a climate, being clear on what they want can help with managing their budget.
Raymond Seow, founder of Free Space Intent, advises, “It is best to talk to a few interior designers to understand what they can give you. The good thing now is that you can research online to find the right interior designer that suits your needs. Interior designers with economical packages offer more straightforward services, which would be great for those looking for standard designs, so it really depends on the needs of the homeowners. Bespoke services that cost more will be more suitable for homeowners who want more advice.”
The prices of services by interior design companies widely range as they work with an average margin of 15 to 30 per cent, with premium interior design companies going with a margin of as much as 50 per cent.
While renovation prices are estimated to have increased between 10 to 30 per cent, some interior design professionals expect the prices to rise while others expect them to stabilise.
Homeowners have a few ways to work within their budget. These include directly engaging providers for services such as window grilles, doors and even carpentry to complete works such as feature walls, consoles and kitchen cabinets if they have a clear idea of what they want. These, however, require the homeowners to manage the project independently, which can be time-consuming.
“Keep a few priorities while being flexible with the rest. Refrain from things like a piece of expensive furniture or decor, and come back to it when the budget permits.”
Mandy Low, Insight.Out Studio
Interior design companies are a resource for busy homeowners and those who want to achieve a design goal. While interior design and renovation works typically cover the project from start to finish, budget-conscious homeowners can choose to complete key renovation works first and postpone less time-sensitive decisions.
Mandy Low, interior designer at Insight.Out Studio, says, “Keep a few priorities while being flexible with the rest. Refrain from things like a piece of expensive furniture or decor, and come back to it when the budget permits.”
OVERALL WORKS
OVERALL WORKS
If you purchase a BTO or resale home with flooring in good condition, you can save on a significant chunk of your renovation budget. Tiling companies typically offer packages that include tiles and installation.
Installing new floor tiles can range from $7,000 depending on the prices of the tiles. Doing cement screed flooring for a five-room HDB BTO unit can cost approximately $4,000.
Some works like false ceilings and cove ceilings vary in complexity, with straightforward designs costing about $1,500 while custom designs for a five-room BTO can cost about $6,000.
The average cost of electrical wiring work is about $3,000 and increases based on various factors.
![t1222-151-fsi-tampines-ave-5-1024x683-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/t1222-151-fsi-tampines-ave-5-1024x683-1.jpg)
BATHROOM
Applying waterproofing membranes in the bathroom can range from $200 to $400.
Owners of new HDB homes can choose to overlay tiles, with services costing about $1,500 per bathroom.
Renovation works that involve hacking existing tiles and laying new waterproofing and tiles can cost approximately $4,000, depending on the choice of tiles and bathroom fixtures.
![wc-00003-683x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/wc-00003-683x1024-1.jpg)
BEDROOM
Common carpentry works for the bedroom include the built-in wardrobe, custom bedhead and bed box. Built-in wardrobes can come with casement doors, sliding doors or soft-closing sliding aluminium doors.
The prices can range from $200 per ft run for built-in wardrobes with casement doors and from $220 per ft run for those with sliding doors.
For those who want to customise their beds, headboards can go from $20 per sq ft, while a king-sized bed box would typically cost $750.
![30_telokblangahrise-0023-683x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/30_telokblangahrise-0023-683x1024-1.jpg)
KITCHEN
With the amount of carpentry typically used, kitchen renovation expenditure can run high.
Carpentry companies charge approximately $100 per ft run for bottom and top casement cabinets, while full-height cabinets go for roughly $250 per ft run.
For resale home buyers who intend to overhaul the kitchen, waterproofing is needed and can be at a ballpark figure of $700, depending on the size of the kitchen.
![home-051442750-682x1024-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/home-051442750-682x1024-1.jpg)
LIVING ROOM
The television console, feature wall and shoe cabinet are popular among homeowners for the living area.
A television console with drawers can cost from $100 per ft run, while feature walls for mounting the television can range from $20 per sq ft onwards.
Shoe cabinets can vary from $120 to $250 per ft run, depending on whether they are half- or full-height cabinets. These prices typically include laminates.
Homeowners can also opt for front door replacement, which must be fire-rated. Such doors cost approximately $1,500 and can cost more depending on the design.
![d_phenomenal_dp_16_final-1024x671-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/d_phenomenal_dp_16_final-1024x671-1.jpg)