Are you a resident of Singapore looking to revamp your home? Home renovation is often an exciting venture for anyone considering it. However, it can become quite a handful, especially in places like Singapore, where space limitations and HDB regulations are crucial factors to consider. Therefore, it is crucial to be aware of the renovation mistakes that one may run into in the course of this venture in order to avoid breaking the bank.
This article looks at five common renovation mistakes in Singapore to watch out for. But before that, let’s dive into the following.
Underestimation of costs and budget
Renovation materials and skilled labour are becoming increasingly expensive in Singapore. This makes renovation for home and property owners in the city-state quite costly. Depending on the type and size of flats, average HDB renovation costs range from $34,200 to $70,000 for BTO flats and anywhere from $65,000 to $94,000 for Resale flats.
Here are some of the common renovation mistakes in Singapore.
Common Renovation Mistakes in Singapore You Must Know
Underestimation and poor exercise planning
It is common for renovations to hit a snag due to underestimation and poor exercise planning. Many people need to budget for secondary expenses due to overlooked repairs, HDB permit charges for wall hacking, window replacement and toilet fixes, and several other hidden costs.
It is thus advisable to set aside a substantial amount of money in anticipation of these extra costs to avoid stalling your project. To ensure you have enough disposable funds for contingency, it is advisable to budget only for materials that need replacement. Avoid extravagance by salvaging materials in perfect working conditions, such as steel doors, cabinets, and tiles. Instead, opt for refurbishing and repurposing these as a cheaper alternative to purchasing new ones.
Last-minute rush planning is another factor that may lead to poor budgeting and consequential project stalling. This may cause you to remember crucial details and spend more than you planned.
It is thus important to plan as early as five months ahead to have time to salvage and purchase all the necessary materials and secure a good, cost-friendly deal with a qualified contractor. This will also cushion you against potential price increases and peak-season inflation.
Failure to adhere to HDB Renovation Guidelines
If you live in flats managed by the Housing Development Board, you need to be aware of the strict guidelines laid out for renovation. These guidelines are often meant to protect the structural intensity of the flats to ensure safety and regulate disturbances for other homeowners.
You, therefore, need to obtain relevant authorization from the HDB before making any alterations to or demolishing walls and beams, failure to which you will be penalized heavily for inflicting structural damage and posing safety risks. HDB noise regulations also prohibit renovation work outside the stipulated 9 am-6 pm timeframe. Contravening this will ultimately land you a hefty fine for noise disturbance. Electrical and plumbing tasks are mandated to be carried out strictly by EMA and PUB-licensed electricians and plumbers, respectively.
Furthermore, homeowners must adhere to strict water-proofing guidelines when renovating wet areas such as bathrooms to avoid potential leakage to the flats below. Changes should only be made to flooring if deemed necessary. Additionally, it would help if you had a permit from the HDB to carry out some renovation tasks. These include wall hacking, replacement of windows, and any renovations done to your toilet or bathroom.
Failure to adhere to these guidelines may bring hefty fines and legal penalties. You may also incur extra personal costs to undo unapproved renovation works. In addition, you may have to wait longer in future to obtain authorization for your renovation projects.
Always consult your contractor or the HDB for compliance to avoid these penalties and consequential delays.
Prioritising aesthetics over practicality
As much as you want an aesthetically appealing home, functionality should always come first. You can achieve both of these by being shrewd with your planning. The limited spaces in Singapore homes often get crammed with numerous huge furniture items, making navigating the house difficult.
Crammed furniture can also bring about poor lighting and stuffy air, as they block windows due to the limited space. Impractical layouts such as a toilet close to the kitchen or dining area or a sink fitted inconveniently distant from the cooking area may complicate simple tasks in your daily routine and pose sanitation hazards.
Poor positioning of doors, electric outlets and appliances may result in awkward accessibility for these essentials and plenty of clumsy movements around tight spaces. Always plan your layout according to functionality and efficiency to have convenient access to everything and unlimited freedom to move about your home.
Hiring cheap and unqualified contractors
Most people may want to save some money during renovation, so they will go for the lowest rate contractor they can find. However, these supposedly pocket-friendly contractors are more often than not underqualified, with poor track records and no accountability. This may result in unauthorized, substandard, and unsatisfactory renovation work that may cost you more in terms of fixes and penalties. The safe way is to look for well-reputed contractors registered with HDB’s Registered Renovation Contractors Scheme.
These contractors are conversant with HDB renovation Guidelines and compliant with all the regulations. Hence, they are less likely to get you into trouble. Always verify a contractor’s details from the HDB directory before dealing with them to ensure quality and avoid disappointment. If you need to save money on hiring a well-accredited contractor, the best way to go about it would be to contact them for a quotation 2-5 months in advance during off-peak seasons to secure a good deal without having to cut corners or worry about market inflation.
Improper storage spaces
Effective storage can sometimes be a headache in Singapore owing to space constraints in most Singaporean flats. Purchasing huge couches and fancy cabinets may be impractical as homes get crowded. It would help if you opted for easily movable and collapsible furniture to avoid this.
Retractable tables, multi-functional sofa beds for dual living and beds with built-in storage compartments are some of the best ideas for space optimization. You can also maximize the limited space by adopting smart storage solutions like built-in cabinets and drawers. Furthermore, you can use the space under your stairs to accommodate a built-in, slide-out shoe rack. Purchasing rigid furniture is one mistake you must avoid while planning your renovation in Singapore’s HDB flats.
Conclusion
Home renovation in Singapore requires proper planning and careful attention to detail. You need to consider the HDB regulations and be meticulous with the allocation of the limited space.
Budgeting for the exercise requires you to be shrewd enough to plan for all possibilities. By being aware of the renovation mistakes highlighted in this article, you can renovate your house to be aesthetically appealing without denting your pocket or complicating your daily activities.Should you need any assistance on home renovation, SM Contractor has you covered!