🏠 From Quote to Move-In: The Renovation Areas Every Homeowner Should Look At (Singapore 2025)

Renovating a home isn’t just about choosing pretty tiles or paint colours — it’s about understanding the different areas of renovation, how they fit together, and what drives cost and quality.

In Singapore’s 2025 market, where labour and material prices have risen 10–15% from pre-pandemic levels, homeowners who plan each renovation area properly can still achieve high quality without blowing their budget.

Here’s what to look at before you sign that quote.

🧱 1️⃣ Structural & Space Planning

What it involves:

• Hacking and building walls, re-configuring layouts, adding platforms or partitions.

• Required HDB/BCA submission for any hacking.

Why it matters:
A good space plan determines lighting, electrical, and carpentry efficiency. Changing layouts mid-way causes cost and timeline overruns.

Pro Tip:
Visualise in 3D before fabrication — platforms like DesignPlus let you preview and adjust before approval.

🍳 2️⃣ Carpentry Works

What it includes: Kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, TV consoles, feature walls, vanities, and study tables.

Cost share: 40–50% of total renovation cost.

What to watch:

• Hardware quality (hinges, runners, anti-slam systems).

• Laminate thickness (≥0.7 mm for durability).

• Finish consistency and alignment.

Pro Tip:
Visualise in 3D before fabrication — platforms like DesignPlus let you preview and adjust before approval.

⚡ 3️⃣ Electrical & Lighting

Scope: Lighting points, power sockets, data lines, switches, fans, and smart-home hubs.

Look out for:

• Separate circuits for heavy appliances.

• Load balancing for aircon and kitchen.

• Correct light colour temperature (warm white for living, cool white for kitchen).

Average spend: $1,500 for a 4-room flat.

🚿 4️⃣ Plumbing & Sanitary

Scope: New piping, heater connection, basin & WC replacement, bathroom accessories.

Check:

• Proper slope and waterproofing.

• Approved fittings (PUB certification).

• Water pressure testing before tiling.

Average cost: $800 – $2,500 per home.

🪵 5️⃣ Masonry & Tiling

Scope: Floor and wall tiles, screeding, overlay, and skirting.

Look for:

• Tile alignment and grout spacing (≤3 mm).

• Correct floor slope to drain.

• Material suitability (non-slip tiles for wet areas).

Trend 2025:
Micro-cement and terrazzo finishes are making a comeback for minimalist interiors.

🎨 6️⃣ Painting & Wall Finishes

Scope: Wall paint, textured finishes, feature panels, wallpaper.

Tip:
Use washable paints for family homes; matte finishes hide wall imperfections better.

Average cost: $1,000 – $2,000 depending on room count.

🧺 7️⃣ Fixtures, Fittings & Hardware

Handles, hinges, smart locks, curtain rods, shower screens — small details that define finish quality.

Checklist:

• Match finishes across rooms (e.g. all matte black).

• Confirm hardware height and swing direction early.

🛋️ 8️⃣ Furniture & Furnishing

Once renovation is complete, loose furniture brings life to your home.

Consider:

• Sofa, dining, beds, and wardrobes that complement built-in carpentry.

• Soft furnishings — curtains, rugs, décor.

• Proportions: leave at least 700 mm walkway between pieces.

New in 2025:
Homeowners increasingly use 3D renders to shop matching furniture

🧹 9️⃣ Final Cleaning & Handover

Before move-in:

• Site cleaning and touch-up.

• Functional test for every tap, switch, and hinge.

• Activate warranty coverage.

DesignPlus QC:
Photo-logged checklist stored in app + optional Care+ maintenance plan.

📦1️⃣0️⃣ Move-In Coordination

Schedule deliveries and installations carefully:

• Major furniture → Day 1

• Appliances → Day 2

• Décor → After cleaning

Pro Tip:
Avoid stacking too many deliveries on the same day; let your renovation app coordinate timelines automatically.

💡 Key Takeaway

“A good renovation is not about spending more — it’s about controlling every area transparently.”
DesignPlus connects design, build, furnish, and warranty in one app, giving homeowners full visibility from quote to move-in.