Some types of renovation, such as those outlined in the <a href="/managing-my-home/renovation-and-maintenance/renovation/renovation-guidelines">guidelines for building and sanitary work</a>, 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 <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://services2.hdb.gov.sg/web/bn32/Acknowledgementform.pdf" target="_blank">acknowledgement form</a> 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 <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.hdb.gov.sg/myhdb-page " target="_blank">MyHDB Page</a> under &lsquo;My Flat &gt; Purchased Flat &gt; 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 <a href="https://services2.hdb.gov.sg/webapp/BC31ISOP2/BC31SMain">Purchase of Residential Floor Plan</a> e-Service to purchase floor plans for your flat. Alternatively, you can approach the &lsquo;Sale of Architectural Plan&rsquo; counter, at the 3rd storey atrium of HDB Hub (next to Payment Counter).

General renovation

Certain types of electrical work require a permit from us before they can be carried out, such as those outlined in the <a href="/managing-my-home/renovation-and-maintenance/renovation/renovation-guidelines/electrical-works">guidelines for electrical work</a>. For those electrical works that do not require a permit, you would still need to comply with the stipulated guidelines/ conditions when carrying out the works. If the works are found carried out without complying to the guidelines, they will be treated as unauthorised works.
If you are planning to install air-conditioner in your flat, you are advised to check the guidelines for <a href="/managing-my-home/renovation-and-maintenance/renovation/renovation-guidelines/air-conditioner-installation-works">air-conditioner installation works</a> before proceeding with the installation works.
Your Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW) may <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://services2.hdb.gov.sg/webapp/BN31AWERRCMobile/BN31SElectrical?loadAction=electrical" target="_self">apply for the Electrical/ Air-Conditioner Installation Permit</a>&nbsp;on your behalf.&nbsp;You may only proceed with your electrical works and/ or air-conditioner installation works after obtaining the necessary permit.

Electrical work and air-conditioner installation

<h3>Replacement of safety barrier</h3>
Some HDB flats have safety railings or safety barrier integrated with &frac34; and full height windows. 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.
Flat owners are strictly not allowed to remove these barriers unless they are damaged.
For damaged safety barrier integrated with &frac34; and full height windows which requires replacement, flat owners may adopt BCA&rsquo;s approved standardised window designs which can be obtained from <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www1.bca.gov.sg/safety-and-standards/periodic-building-inspections/windows-safety/" target="_blank">BCA&rsquo;s website</a>. This is subjected to the following conditions:
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
 <li>the replacement works must be carried out by Licensed Builders (LB) or Approved Window Contractors (AWCs) with trained window installers (TWIs) who have completed the course &ldquo;Module on replacement and reinstatement of safety barriers integrated with windows&rdquo; conducted by BCA; </li>
 <li>the replacement works must satisfy the objective and performance requirements set out in the Fifth Schedule relating to the safety of windows, safety from falling, use of glass at height and any other requirement in these Regulations; and</li>
 <li>the LB or TWI is to submit a certification of completion of work declaring that the replacement works have been carried out in accordance with the standardised designs, and to be submitted to the BCA&rsquo;s Commissioner of Building Control within 14 days of work completion.</li>
</ol>
The LB or AWC that flat owners engaged will assess the existing condition of the window before advising if the BCA&rsquo;s standardised window designs can be adopted for the replacement. 
For safety barrier integrated with &frac34; and full height windows where BCA&rsquo;s approved standardised window designs cannot be adopted for the replacement, or damaged safety railing that requires a replacement, you will need to engage a PE (Civil) to design for the window or railing replacement and the following would have to be complied:
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
 <li>A Qualified Person (QP) who is a Professional Engineer (PE) in civil or structural engineering must be engaged to:
 <ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
 <li>Design and/ or certify the lateral loading of the replacement works</li>
 <li>Submit structural calculations and drawings to BCA for regulatory plans approval through the Construction and Real Estate Network (CORENET)</li>
 </ul>
 </li>
 <li>Upon approval of the plans, the flat owner(s), the QP supervising the works, and the Licensed Builder (LB) carrying out the replacement of the safety barrier works must jointly apply for a permit from BCA to commence structural works</li>
 <li>Your appointed AWC has to submit BCA&rsquo;s &lsquo;Permit to commence structural work&rsquo; along with the approved drawings to HDB to obtain a renovation permit before commencement of the replacement works.</li>
</ol>
<h3>Demolition of non-load bearing reinforced concrete (RC) elements (E.g. stiffeners, lintols and hangers etc.)</h3>
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:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
 <li>The list here of works requiring the engagement of a QP is not exhaustive</li>
 <li>You and your renovation contractor will be informed if your proposed renovation requires the engagement of a QP</li>
</ul>
<h3>Enclosure of Interaction Balcony (E.g. Installation of windows, awnings)</h3>
Some HDB flats come with interaction balcony. Flat owners who intend to enclose the interaction balcony with windows and/or awnings are required to note the following requirements:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
 <li>You are required to engage a Qualified Person (QP) or Professional Engineer (PE) for Civil or Structural works to submit a building plan to SCDF for approval. Do note that this is a requirement under SCDF's Fire Safety Regulations</li>
 <li>HDB will proceed to grant the renovation permit after SCDF's approval is obtained</li>
</ul>
You can refer to <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.scdf.gov.sg/home/fire-safety/plans-and-consultations/plan-approval" target="_blank">SCDF's website</a> for more information. The list of QP and PE is also avaliable in SCDF's website.

Work that requires a Qualified Person (QP)

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:
<ul>
 <li><a href="https://services2.hdb.gov.sg/webapp/BC31ISOP2/BC31SMain">Purchase of Residential Floor Plan e-Service</a></li>
 <li>HDB Hub, Sale of Architectural Plan Counter (3rd storey atrium, next to the payment counter)</li>
 <li>A self-service kiosk at any <a href="/about-us/contact-us">HDB Branch</a></li>
</ul>

Purchase of floor plan

You or your appointed contractor from&nbsp;the Directory of Renovation Contractors (DRC) can check with your Town Council if they provide debris removal services for renovation of newly completed HDB flats. Do also enquire about the charges imposed for these services.

Application for a Renovation Permit

Recommended

Change in Flat Ownership (Not Through a Sale)

Renovation Guidelines for Building Works

Looking for Renovation Contractors

Acquiring Private Property