To start in the renovation works for your home, there are a few essential things that you would need to do. One important one would be to obtain the approval from HDB.

Applying For Approval

You need to engage a contractor listed in the Directory of Renovation Contractors (DRC) for all renovation works in your flat. Other types of works that require you to engage an appropriately licensed person include:

• Water Service & Sanitary Works – Public Utilities Board (PUB) licensed plumber
• Gas Service Works – Energy Market Authority (EMA) licensed gas service worker
• Windows – Building Construction Authority (BCA)’s approved window contractor listed with HDB
• Electrical Installation – Energy Market Authority (EMA) licensed worker

*From 1 April 2018, only PUB licensed plumber will be allowed to install, fix and maintain plumbing systems for water service and sanitary works. You can engage a handymen (without PUB licence) for simple plumbing works. For more information, please refer to PUB website.

General Renovation

Some types of renovation, such as those outlined in the guidelines for building and sanitary work, 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 acknowledgement form 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 My HDBPage under ‘My Flat > Purchased Flat > 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 Purchase of Residential Floor Plan e-Service to purchase floor plans for your flat. Alternatively, you can approach the ‘Sale of Architectural Plan’ counter, at the 3^rd storey atrium of HDB Hub (next to Payment Counter).

Electrical Work & Air-con Installation

Some types of electrical work require a permit from us, such as those outlined in the guidelines for electrical work. 

Your licenced electrical contractor can apply for the permit using the Electrical Loading of Your HDB Block e-Service. You can only start on your electrical work after obtaining the permit. 

Work That Require A Qualified Person (QP)

Replacement of Safety Barrier

Some HDB flats have safety barriers (such as railings, lower panel of full or 3/4 height windows, wall facing void). 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.

You are strictly not allowed to remove these barriers unless they are damaged. These are the steps you need to take:

• Before any barrier replacement is carried out, engage a QP* to submit an application to BCA for approval using CORENET. This is a requirement under the Building Control Regulations 
• You must also seek your Town Council’s permission to replace external safety railings/ lower fixed panel of full or 3/4 height windows
• HDB will only grant the renovation permit after you have obtained approval from BCA and the Town Council where applicable
• The replacement works can only be carried out by a renovation contractor or BCA Approved window contractor listed in DRC (with at least a Class 2 General Builder’s Licence).

For more information on Builder’s Licensing, you can call BCA’s Contractor Registration at: 1800-342-5222.

*The fees to engage a QP for BCA’s approval using CORENET is about $2,000. You will have to negotiate the fees with the QPs on a private basis. HDB is not privy to this engagement.

Demolition of non-load bearing reinforced concrete (RC) elements (E.g. stiffeners, lintols and hangers etc.)

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:

• The list here of works requiring the engagement of a QP is not exhaustive
• You and your renovation contractor will be informed if your proposed renovation requires the engagement of a QP

Purchase of Floor Plan

HDB will have to cnduct an evaluation for certain types of renovation such as demolition of walls. Renovation contractors are to submit to HDB, the flat’s floor plan showing the proposed work, together with the electronic application for renovations.

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:

• Purchase of Residential Floor Plan e-Service
• HDB Hub, Sale of Architectural Plan Counter (3rd storey atrium, next to the payment counter)
• A self-service kiosk at any HDB Branch

Charges For Haulage & Debris Removal Services

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

How Long It Take For Permit To Be Approved?

In cases where the renovation of your flat does not include hacking of walls or re-configuration of your sinks or toilets, the renovation permit is usually approved within 2-3 days.

However, if major renovations are required for cases of older resale flats, additional information has to be submitted. You can usually see what are the additional information your interior designer or contractor needs to follow-up with when you click on your Permit Number. If you scroll down to the end of the document, you will also be able to find the contact details of the officer-in-charge of the case.

What To Do If My Status Is Still Pending?

For any enquiry regarding renovation permits, call 1800-225-5432.

After finding out what’s happening over at HDB’s end, get in touch with your interior designer to remind him to follow-up closely with the contractor to ensure that the case doesn’t get pushed to the bottom of the pile. For a homeowner, it’s best to be keep in the loop this way. Otherwise, it can be intolerable to be helplessly waiting for approval.

What NOT To Do If Your Permit Is Still Pending

1. Don’t scream at the operator when you call the helpline. I’m sure they are well aware of the need for urgency with all home renovations, and screaming at them will not help your application get approved immediately,
2. Be clear about what you need. Ask to follow up on your renovation permit and get the contact details of the relevant officer-in-charge. If technical details are required, ask your contractor to provide them promptly.
3. There’s no need to send complaint letters to the newspapers just because your application is pending.
4. Sometimes, not stating your renovation details in the correct way can cause a delay as well. For example, if you wish to change the window grille design, just be clear and state ‘Change of window grilles’.