Should You Opt in to HDB’s OCS? 3 Homeowners Share Their Experience

A question worth thousands.

When applying for a new BTO flat, one of the many decisions you’ll need to make is whether to opt in to HDB’s Optional Component Scheme (OCS) — the add-on package that lets you include things like flooring, internal doors, and sanitary fittings in your flat purchase.

For some, opting in is a no-brainer — it’s convenient, budget-friendly, and rolls some of the renovation costs into the flat’s purchase price (which can be paid using CPF). For others, it’s a chance to start the renovation with a completely blank canvas.

What is included in the Optional Component Scheme (OCS)?

The OCS is HDB’s way of helping new homeowners move in more quickly — with certain fittings and finishes already installed before key collection. Instead of starting with a completely bare unit, you can choose to include some essentials in your flat purchase, saving time and upfront renovation costs.

Under the current scheme, there are two main optional components offered to buyers:

You can choose to opt in for one, both, or neither of these components. The cost of your selected options will be added to your flat purchase price — which means you can pay for them using CPF funds instead of upfront cash.

Note that even if you decide to opt out of OCS, your flat will still come with standard provisions (some for HDB’s waterproofing warranty), including:

• The main door and gate
• Windows and internal walls (except in HDB’s new ‘White Flats’)
• Floor finishes in the kitchen, bathrooms, service yard, and household shelter
• Wall tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms
• A WC (toilet) in each bathroom

Do all BTO flats offer OCS?

All BTO flats will either offer the OCS or come pre-installed with components (that you cannot opt out of).

Some BTO flats are built using the Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) method — a building approach where entire modular units are manufactured off-site in a controlled factory setting before being assembled on-site.

Because these modules are prefabricated, they come with pre-installed finishes and fittings. This means that if your BTO flat is built using PPVC, all these components will already be included — and you won’t have the option to opt out.

Now that you’ve got a clearer picture of what’s included in the OCS (and when it’s not available), how do these options play out in real life?

To find out what really works in practice, our writer Lester joins two other homeowners in sharing their experiences with opting in to (or out of) the scheme.

Case study #1: Opted in, waiting for key collection

Lester (L): When my wife and I were selecting our BTO unit in 2023, we decided to opt in to the OCS — but only for the flooring, since they looked decent enough. Since we could roll the cost into our flat purchase price and pay using our CPF funds, it seemed like a good way to save on upfront renovation expenses at the time.

Now that key collection is getting closer, and I have more knowledge about interior design, I’ll admit we’ve had a few second thoughts. We’ve been exploring different layout ideas, and some of them might involve hacking or re-tiling parts of the flat — which means we could end up redoing the flooring we already paid for.

Case study #2: Could not opt out, kept pre-installed flooring

For Dom and Choo (@themaomaohome), who renovated and moved into their BTO in 2023, opting out wasn’t even an option — their flat came pre-installed with flooring and sanitary fittings.

Since they already wanted vinyl flooring for most parts of their home, the HDB-provided vinyl in the bedrooms meant a significant cost saving, as they didn’t have to install their own (which typically costs a lot more than what the OCS offers).

Instead, they worked with their interior designer to extend similar vinyl across the rest of their home for a cohesive look.

Over time, issues began surfacing with the vinyl flooring. “About a year in, we noticed gaps forming between the vinyl strips,” they explain. “At first we thought it was normal, but the gaps got wider over time, and the floor began making noises whenever we walked on it.”

When they checked with their neighbours, they realised it was a common problem in their block — but replacing the vinyl strips wasn’t easy. HDB did not supply replacement vinyl, so they had to source leftover pieces from neighbours to patch the affected areas.

“It became quite a hassle,” Dom shares. “We had to ask around the estate chat for spare vinyls because HDB doesn’t provide replacements anymore. It would help a lot if homeowners could at least buy from the same supplier.”

Even after replacing what they could, the fix wasn’t perfect as some gaps and creaks remained. Still, they decided not to redo the entire flooring, citing the cost, effort, and the fact that this wasn’t their forever home.

“If this was our forever home, maybe we’d replace everything,” Choo adds. “But for now, it’s something we can live with.”

Their experience highlights one of the main downsides of having pre-installed finishes: homeowners have limited control over both design and quality, and may need to manage maintenance and replacement issues later on.

Case study #3: Opted out completely

Unlike some homeowners who opted in for convenience and to save costs, Evelyn and her husband — who recently completed their renovation and moved in — chose to opt out of the OCS completely.

“We were worried about the quality of the OCS fittings and finishes,” she explains. “And given the limited choices, we were also afraid we’d dislike it if we had opted in.”

That decision meant a more hands-on renovation process, since the flat came as a blank canvas. While it bumped up their renovation cost and required more effort upfront to shop for finishes, Evelyn said it was worth it in the end.

“Looking at how our renovation turned out, we have no regrets at all. We’d still opt out if given a second chance.” Evelyn adds.

Her advice to new homeowners? Have early conversations with your partner or family about how you envision your future home to be like.

“Knowing what interior design theme you want will guide some of your choices. If cost is a concern, opting in to the OCS is definitely something to consider,” Evelyn shares. “But if you’re more of a hands-on person and want more choices, you should opt out.”

TL;DR: Should you opt in or not?

The short answer: it depends. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your priorities.

If you’re confident about keeping the original layout and are happy with the look of HDB’s standard finishes, opting in to the OCS can save you both time and money — especially if you’re planning a simple renovation with mostly loose furniture instead of built-ins.

But if you’re still exploring your renovation theme or want full freedom to customise your space, it’s better to opt out — giving you the flexibility to choose materials and designs that truly fit your vision.