Estimate renovation costs by category and see the impact on your property's PSF.
Renovation Total-
Revised Total Cost-
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How to Use the Reno Calculator
Key Takeaways
First-time buyers typically budget $30–50K for renovation and end up spending $60–80K — use the mid-range tier as your baseline, not budget.
Always add a 15–20% contingency on top of the estimate — hidden hacking costs, plumbing surprises, and late design changes are routine, not exceptional.
Get three itemised quotes before committing — renovation costs vary 30–50% for the same specification across contractors.
Never pay 100% upfront: a standard payment schedule is 10% deposit, 40% at mid-point, 50% on completion.
Check MCST and HDB approval requirements before starting — some work (hacking, electrical, plumbing) needs written approval and can take 2–4 weeks.
What It Does
Renovation is often the biggest hidden cost of buying a condo. Estimate your renovation budget by category — hacking, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, aircon, and kitchen — for budget, mid-range, and premium tiers. Plan your dream home without blowing your budget.
You can find this calculator in the Calculators tab on ShiokNest. It updates results instantly as you adjust inputs — no waiting, no page reloads.
Why It Matters
Renovation costs are the most frequently underestimated expense in property ownership. First-time buyers typically budget $30K-$50K and end up spending $60K-$80K. This calculator matters because:
How It Works
Navigate to Calculators — Click the "Calculators" tab in the ShiokNest navigation bar. All 26 calculators are grouped by purpose for easy access.
Select the calculator — Choose "How to Estimate Renovation Costs" from the calculator list. You will see default values already loaded so you can explore immediately.
️ Enter your values — Replace the defaults with your own numbers. The key fields are:
Review the results — The calculator updates instantly as you change any input. A detailed cost table shows budget, mid-range, and premium estimates for each renovation category, with totals for easy comparison.
Run what-if scenarios — This is where the real power lies. Change one variable at a time to see its impact. For example, try increasing the interest rate by 1% or extending your holding period by 5 years. Note how the results shift.
Compare and decide — Run 2-3 different scenarios and note the results. This gives you a range of outcomes to base your decision on, rather than relying on a single projection.
Examples
900 sqft resale condo: full renovation budget by tier
Inputs
Unit size
900 sqft
Property type
Resale condo (15 years old)
Scope
Full renovation: hacking, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, kitchen, bathrooms, painting, aircon
Tier selection
Mid-range
Results
Hacking + disposal
$4,500
Electrical + plumbing
$8,000
Carpentry (built-ins, wardrobes)
$18,000
Kitchen + bathrooms + aircon + paint
$24,000
Total mid-range estimate
$54,500 + 15% contingency = ~$62,700
How to read this:
The calculator breaks renovation into 7 categories so you can see where the money goes — and where to cut if the total exceeds budget. Carpentry (built-ins, wardrobes, kitchen cabinetry) is typically the largest single cost item at mid-range, followed by kitchen and bathrooms combined. If the $62,700 total exceeds budget, the first lever is to downgrade carpentry specification (laminate instead of timber finish) or reduce custom built-in scope. The budget tier drops the same job to ~$38,000...
New launch BTO: light touch renovation budget for a 4-room HDB
Inputs
Unit size
1,050 sqft (4-room BTO)
Property type
New BTO (brand new — no hacking needed)
Scope
Light touch: kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, electrical points, aircon, painting only
Tier selection
Budget
Results
Flooring (laminate/vinyl)
$5,500
Kitchen (cabinets + appliances)
$9,000
Bathrooms (tiles, fittings)
$6,000
Aircon (4 units) + painting + electricals
$8,500
Total budget estimate
$29,000 + 15% contingency = ~$33,400
How to read this:
A BTO renovation is structurally different from a resale renovation: no hacking costs (walls and flooring are new), no plumbing replacement, and no major electrical rewiring. The budget tier for a BTO light-touch renovation comes in at $29,000–$34,000 — achievable and well within the HDB renovation loan limit of $30,000 (which covers the loan portion; cash covers the balance). The largest single item is usually kitchen cabinetry — even at budget tier, a full kitchen fit-out with applian...
Tips & Pitfalls
Expert Tips
Use realistic assumptions — Singapore condo appreciation has historically averaged 2-4% per year. Avoid overly optimistic projections. When in doubt, use 3% as a baseline.
Budget 10-20% contingency — Hidden wiring, plumbing issues, or last-minute design changes always add cost. Never spend your entire budget upfront.
Get at least 3 quotes — Renovation quotes can vary by 30-50% for the same scope. Always compare and ask for itemised breakdowns.
Common Pitfalls
Starting work before permit — Some renovation works require MCST or HDB approval. Starting without approval can result in fines or mandatory reversal.
Paying 100% upfront — Never pay the full amount before work is completed. A typical payment schedule is 10% deposit, 40% at mid-point, 50% on completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my data saved?
No. All calculations run entirely in your browser. Nothing is stored on our servers or shared with third parties.
How accurate are the cost estimates?
Estimates are based on median contractor quotes collected from Singapore renovation projects in 2024–2026. Actual costs vary based on contractor, material specifications, building access, and project complexity. Treat the calculator output as a planning benchmark, not a contractor quote. Always obtain at least three written itemised quotes before committing.
Can I save my results?
Log in to save scenarios to your dashboard, or use the share button to copy a URL that encodes your inputs.
Do I need MCST approval for condo renovation?
Yes for most structural or shared-system works. Hacking (removing non-structural walls), plumbing modifications, electrical panel upgrades, and any works affecting common areas or shared systems require written MCST approval. Minor cosmetic works (painting, furniture, fixture replacements) typically do not. Check your MCST's house rules before starting any work.
Can I use a renovation loan to fund the work?
Yes. Banks and licensed moneylenders offer renovation loans at 3.5–5% p.a., typically capped at $30,000 for HDB or 6× monthly income for private condos. The loan is disbursed directly to the contractor in stages. Factor in the interest cost when comparing your total renovation spend — a $50,000 loan over 3 years at 4% adds ~$3,200 in interest.