Renovating your dream home often comes with hidden expenses that can catch even the savviest homeowners off guard. From essential upgrades to unexpected repairs, these overlooked costs can add up fast. Here’s your guide to spotting and managing these surprises before they stretch your budget.
Embarking on a home renovation is an exciting journey toward creating your dream space. However, unforeseen expenses can quickly turn this dream into a financial challenge. Here are 10 hidden costs homeowners tend to forget factoring into their renovation expense.
1. Electrical Wiring
Electrical wiring costs can be trickier than they seem. For a standard 4-room HDB flat, you can expect a quote of around $2,500, but this is often just a starting point and the actual cost can vary significantly based on your needs.
For instance, If you love hosting dinner parties and need extra sockets or are planning a smart home with all the bells and whistles, the price will go up. You’ll only get a clear idea of the total cost after an electrician visits and customises the plan to fit your space and lifestyle.
2. Labour Costs
In Singapore, labour costs constitute a significant portion of home renovation expenses, typically accounting for 30% to 50% of the total renovation budget. Some homeowners opt for a DIY approach to save money, tackling projects like lime washing walls or installing vinyl flooring purchased straight from a wholesaler.
However, certain tasks, such as debris disposal and appliance installation, are best left to professionals. To cut down on costs, try to consolidate installations—like lighting and fans—to minimise contractor visits and avoid additional charges.
3. Hacking Walls
Hacking a wall? It can cost up to $1,000 per room—and that’s not all. Permits are required for structural changes, and while it might seem like a minor administrative step, skipping it could lead to fines.
HDB homeowners can secure a hacking permit for $20, but condo owners will need to hire a professional engineer and obtain a permit from the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), which could cost several hundred dollars. Plus, these approvals take time, and delays can mean extra rental costs while you wait.
4. Carpentry
Carpentry can be a deceptively costly aspect of renovation, especially when it comes to the finer details. In the kitchen of a 4-room HDB flat, high-quality hinges, tandem runners for drawers, and lift systems for overhead compartments can easily add up to $500 or more, particularly if they include anti-slam or soft-closing features.
Remember to factor in the rest of the house—the fluted panelling in the living room and the integrated cable management box for your study desk also carry a price tag.
5. Flooring
Flooring is one of the areas where many homeowners aim for an upgrade — but be aware, the standard quote usually covers the most affordable materials like vinyl or laminate, which can cost around $4,000 for a 4-room HDB flat. If you have your heart set on more premium finishes, the price escalates significantly.
Porcelain and ceramic tiles can cost up to $10,000, while cement screed may reach $20,000. For a more luxurious look, hardwood parquet can go up to $40,000, and marble can reach $60,000. And it’s not just the material itself; fancy layouts, such as the herringbone pattern, often lead to additional costs due to material wastage.
6. Door & Frames
If you’re unhappy with your current door design and a fresh coat of paint or new laminate won’t cut it, be prepared to spend more than you might think. While the door itself may be affordable — perhaps even a budget find from Taobao — replacing just the door while keeping the original frame intact can be tricky. You’ll need a door that fits perfectly, and aligning the hinges with precision adds to the labour costs. In many cases, the cost of replacing the door frame, which can cost up to $1,000, will exceed the price of the door.
Furthermore, HDB homes with main doors that open onto a common passageway, such as a lift lobby or staircase, are required to have a half-hour fire-rated door. Fire-rated doors cost $1,200 - $2,000 depending on its design and material. To save costs, consider retaining your existing firerated door and frame but overlaying them with vinyl instead.
7. Plumbing
Basic plumbing quotes typically cover standard installations. However, relocating fixtures, installing concealed piping, or adding luxury features like bathtubs can escalate expenses.
A thorough inspection by a professional plumber can help identify potential issues and associated costs. Just like electrical work, plumbing costs really come into focus once the plumber checks out your space and design plans.
The standard quote — about $1,000 per bathroom — covers basic installations, but if you’re thinking of hiding pipes or moving fixtures, the price can rise quickly. Dreaming of a luxurious upgrade with a bathtub or a his-and-hers setup? That’s going to add to the cost too.
8. Defects Checker
Before your renovation begins, it’s wise to hire a professional defects checker. For around $300 for a 4-room HDB flat, they can spot issues like hollow tiles or uneven carpentry — stuff you definitely don’t want to discover later.
After the renovation wraps up, you might get a basic clean included, but if you’re a stickler for spotless spaces, it’s worth paying around $500 (for a 3-bedroom apartment) for a deep cleaning service. Industrial-grade equipment can catch the fine dust that your trusty robot vacuum might miss, leaving your home pristine and ready for furniture.
9. Damages & Repairs
Finally, even the best-laid renovation plans can go awry. Perhaps the demolition of a wall accidentally damaged the pipes inside, leading to costly repairs. Or maybe you only planned to replace your kitchen countertop, but the contractors accidentally damaged the cabinet below, turning a $2,500 job into a $10,000 headache.
Supply chain delays might also mean your chosen materials are out of stock, forcing you to pick more expensive alternatives. To avoid these surprises from derailing your project, it’s smart to have a budget buffer for these inevitable hiccups.
10. Unexpected Purchases
You’ve probably budgeted for furniture and appliances, but it’s the smaller purchases during your renovation journey that can really sneak up on you. Invisible grilles, a practical choice if you have kids or pets, can run up to $1,000 for a 4-room HDB flat.
And if you’re thinking about privacy blinds for your balcony, you’re looking at around $3,000 each. Don’t forget about fans and lighting fixtures either, especially if you’re planning on setting the mood with recessed lights.