What are the Expected Renovation Costs for HDB Flats in 2026?

Looking ahead.

If you’ve kept up with renovation cost trends over the years, you know that things have been a rollercoaster. Prices from 2020 to 2023 spiked due to material shortages and labour constraints brought about by the pandemic, while 2024 and 2025 saw things stabilising.

So, what’s in the cards for 2026? Amid economic uncertainty, homeowners like yourself are probably concerned about significant shifts once again. So, to help give you a clearer idea, we crunched the numbers and spoke to two veterans in the interior design field for input.

How much will a 3-, 4-, and 5-room HDB flat renovation cost in 2026?

Estimated BTO/New HDB renovation costs in 2026

Prospective homeowners expecting to renovate their BTO flats in 2026 should expect to spend:

• Between $40,800 to $52,500 for a 3-room BTO flat
• Between $50,000 to $60,000 for a 4-room BTO flat
• Between $60,600 to $76,500 for a 5-room BTO flat

Good news for those with 4-room and 5-room BTO flats: prices are stabilising. On top of that, James from Charlotte’s Carpentry also mentions that costs may potentially decrease.

“There’s higher competition between different interior design firms these days,” he says. “They’re holding events and fairs of their own and offering attractive prices to get more leads, which created a price war that translates into lower prices for customers.”

“Additionally, I think homeowners have been more cautious about big expenditures, likely due to current economic conditions like unstable job markets.”

Flo Design’s James also points out that homeowners are becoming more resourceful. “Everything from lighting fixtures to cabinets can be found online on places like Taobao and Shopee,” he says. “So they source certain furniture pieces instead of relying on IDs or spending on extensive renovation works.”

“The way homeowners approach renovation is shifting; these days, they’re a lot more self-reliant and hands-on.”

According to our data, 3-room BTO flats are the only property type to see a significant cost increase from 2024 to 2025. While neither designer has specific reasons for this based on their experience, James (Charlotte’s Carpentry) posits that these homeowners likely have higher spending power.

“It’s possible that those who select a 3-room unit don’t have as many commitments (like kids) as those who live in 4- or 5-room BTO flats,” he says. “So they may have more cash set aside that they can funnel into their renovations.”

Estimated resale HDB flat renovation costs in 2026

Prospective homeowners expecting to renovate their resale flats in 2026 should expect to spend:

• Between $55,000 to $68,300 for a 3-room resale HDB flat
• Between $70,000 to $81,600 for a 4-room resale HDB flat
• Between $80,800 to $98,900 for a 5-room resale HDB flat

Like the BTO renovation costs above, prices of 4-room and 5-room resale flat renovations have remained stable, while those of 3-room flats have increased from 2024 to 2025.

However, James (Flo Design) believes that this trend will likely not persist, especially for resale flats. “Renovations for such units – especially older ones – involve a lot more labour-intensive work like repairs and hacking,” he says. “And labour costs are always increasing, so this will definitely affect renovation prices in the long term.”

“But I don’t think this will translate into significant price hikes. Barring sudden economic shocks, it’ll likely be more of a gradual increase year on year.”

How long is a 3-, 4, and 5-room HDB flat renovation in 2026?

Estimated renovation duration for BTO and resale HDB flats in 2026

Both interior designers agree that renovation durations for both BTO and resale flats will remain consistent – or even decrease.

James (Flo Design) attributes this to two things: the availability of specific features, and a change in homeowners’ design preferences.

“Back then, we had to hand-create features like fluted panels and feature walls,” he says. “But now, they’re pre-fabricated and readily available, so we don’t have to spend as much time as we normally would have.”

“Also, I think clients’ design senses have changed. Nowadays, they’re going for simpler designs, with minimal carpentry or using a single colour throughout the house. So, on our end, it’s easier and less time-consuming.”

James (Charlotte’s Carpentry) also points to the existing conditions of the interior design industry.

“New IDs and contractors are popping up every day, and we’re at a point where supply is higher than demand,” he says. “That means fewer jobs, which means more available manpower for the jobs we do have, which allows us to finish things more efficiently.”

2026’s renovation forecast, and advice for prospective homeowners

In terms of renovation demand, both designers are hopeful that it’ll remain steady in 2026. In fact, James (Charlotte’s Carpentry) is confident that it’ll increase due to the large number of flats reaching MOP (and subsequently being sold) later this year.

On the flip side, James (Flo Design) is more cautious. “Demand will always be there, but the market is saturated now. The number of IDs and contractors is going up, and sometimes it’s hard to differentiate between the two because there isn’t a clear guideline to follow.”

“Which is why homeowners should do their due diligence. I know lower prices are appealing, but with IDs, you’re paying for the service, reputation, knowledge, and their ability to tailor the space to fit specific lifestyles.”

Another piece of advice from both of them? Setting aside a budget buffer. “You’ll never know if you’ll come across structural issues, or if you’ll change your mind about certain materials,” James (Charlotte’s Carpentry) says.

“In my experience, almost all projects will have variation orders of some sort, so it’ll be good to have a buffer set aside to cover these extra costs without causing you stress.”

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