Residential
You need to engage a contractor listed in the Directory of Renovation Contractors (DRC) for all renovations in your flat. Other types of works that require you to engage an appropriately licensed person include:
* From 1 April 2018, only PUB licensed plumber will be allowed to install, fix and maintain plumbing systems for water service and sanitary works. You can engage a handymen (without PUB licence) for simple plumbing works. For more information, please refer to PUB website.
Find out about our general renovation guidelines, including applying for permits and engaging contractors listed in the Directory of Renovation Contractors.
Some types of renovation, such as those outlined in the guidelines for building and sanitary work, require a permit from HDB. You should only commence your renovation after obtaining the permit for these works. If the renovations do not require a permit, you would still need to comply with the set guidelines for the work otherwise they will be considered as unauthorised work.
HDB will require you to discontinue, correct, or remove such unauthorised work and reinstate your flat to its original condition. If the work is allowed to be retained, you will have to pay an administrative fee.
You need to authorise your renovation contractor to submit an electronic renovation application on your behalf. Your contractor is required to attach a copy of the acknowledgement form duly signed by you during the submission of the renovation application. An SMS notification will be sent to you once we receive the submission.
Login to My HDBPage under ‘My Flat > Purchased Flat > Renovation', to view your renovation permit once it has been granted.
Scanning of layout plans, elevations, sections or details of the proposed work may need to be submitted, if your renovations involve the removal or repositioning of fittings, demolition or construction of walls. Use the Purchase of Residential Floor Plan e-Service to purchase floor plans for your flat. Alternatively, you can approach the ‘Sale of Architectural Plan’ counter, at the 3rd storey atrium of HDB Hub (next to Payment Counter).
Engage an EMA licenced electrical worker for all electrical work and a BCA trained air-conditioner installer for air-conditioners.
Some types of electrical work require a permit from us, such as those outlined in the guidelines for electrical work.
Your licenced electrical contractor can apply for the permit using the Electrical Loading of Your HDB Block e-Service. You can only start on your electrical work after obtaining the permit.
Certain renovations require you to engage a Qualified Person (QP) to certify/ supervise the work in your flat. Refer to the Professional Engineers (PE) Board website for the list of QP.
Some HDB flats have safety barriers (such as railings, lower panel of full or 3/4 height windows, wall facing void). These barriers are installed for the safety of residents and are designed to withstand horizontal loading as prescribed in British Standard (BS) 6399: Part 1 - Loading for buildings.
You are strictly not allowed to remove these barriers unless they are damaged. These are the steps you need to take:
For more information on Builder's Licensing, you can call BCA's Contractor Registration at: 1800-342-5222.
*The fees to engage a QP for BCA’s approval using CORENET is about $2,000. You will have to negotiate the fees with the QPs on a private basis. HDB is not privy to this engagement.
Engaging a QP to inspect and supervise the demolition works will help to ensure that no load bearing RC structural elements (e.g. columns, beams, slabs and walls) are damaged in demolition process. We will let you and your renovation contractor know about the need to engage a QP for demolition works once we receive your renovation application.
Note:
HDB will have to conduct an evaluation for certain types of renovations such as demolition of walls. Renovation contractors are to submit to HDB, the flat’s floor plan showing the proposed work, together with the electronic application for renovations.
You can use the floor plan of your flat given to you in the Sales Brochure during the flat selection.
Otherwise, you will have to buy a copy of the floor plan at $5 through:
Your Town Council may provide this service.
You or your appointed contractor from the Directory of Renovation Contractors (DRC) can check with your Town Council if they provide haulage and debris removal services for renovation of newly completed HDB flats. Do also enquire about the charges imposed for these services.
If you wish to change ownership of your flat without a sale (i.e. without monetary consideration), find out more about the types of ownership changes and the eligibility conditions.
