A home renovation can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. From thorough planning to setting a budget and coordinating with everyone, it can be quite the undertaking. Therefore, it is important to understand the typical timeline of a home renovation. Whether you are remodelling an HDB flat, a landed property, or even a part of your home, a timeline helps you set realistic expectations and avoid any unnecessary delays.
The article below will provide you with a detailed analysis of each step of the home renovation process, from initial planning to the finished project. If you are looking for a home renovation in Singapore, SM Contractor might be able to help you!
Why It Is Important To Understand The Timeline
Aside from producing a precise estimate, the knowledge that thorough pre-project planning can give the homeowner is possibly its most useful feature. A thorough plan can help you minimize any negative effects on your everyday life by avoiding surprises and allowing you to manage your own plans according to the different stages of the renovation. Using an in-depth plan and setting a timeline can also guide you in determining when you will need to leave the house during operations like painting or demolition that can produce dangerous dust and fumes.
Moreover, the work that goes into creating a thorough pre-project plan and timeline serves purposes beyond assisting the contractor in providing an accurate estimated project cost. They are also able to give a reasonable and realistic timeline for the completion of all the work.
Factors Affecting The Duration of a Home Renovation
The Property’s Size
The duration of a home renovation depends in large part on the area that needs to be refurbished. For instance, an HDB flat will often take less time than a landed property due to its limited space of only three or four rooms. Whereas a condominium may take longer if the renovation calls for structural adjustments or refurbishment in the common areas. A landed property, however, will take up the most time as it requires a great deal of work, which can stretch out the timeline.
The Type of Renovation
The type of remodelling also affects the timeline, as smaller renovations, which involve aesthetic adjustments like painting, carpeting, or small kitchen upgrades, usually require two to four weeks, while more extensive projects, including structural alterations, full-home renovations, and overhauls of the kitchen, might take longer.
Contractor Skills
Selecting a skilled home renovation contractor in Singapore can greatly affect your project’s timeline and whether it stays on schedule. You can prevent unnecessary delays by working with reputable contractors that have experience in understanding the local rules and regulations in Singapore.
Permits and Regulations
Different types of home renovations in Singapore require different kinds of permits, specifically for remodelling and structural changes in a regulated area like an HDB property. The authorisation process timeframe can differ for various licenses, which is why it is important to work with local contractors who are well-versed in the regulations and guidelines set out by regulatory bodies like the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and the Housing Development Board (HDB), as this can save you time and prevent expensive errors.
Initial Steps of a Home Renovation Timeline
The pre-renovation phase can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the work. Here are the few steps that need to be followed for a smooth execution of your home renovation project:
Property Assessment and Initial Project Plans
Start by giving your house a full inspection, preferably with the assistance of a qualified inspector. Note down every discovery, including any structural problems, outdated systems, and desired aesthetic upgrades. Make a thorough report that will assist in setting priorities for tasks according to how crucial they are. Based on that, create a plan on what changes you want, any particular material and design preference, and envision a clear final result in mind.
Setting Precise Home Renovation Objectives
- Determine the clear improvements to functionality that are required.
- Assess the possible effects on the value of the property
- Think about improving energy efficiency
- Divide challenging goals into achievable tasks
Developing a Practical Timeline
Create a thorough schedule that takes into consideration the various stages of the project. While significant upgrades can take several months, minor updates usually take two or three weeks. Be sure to account for weather-related delays, material shortages, and contractor availability.
Create a Budget Plan
Create a thorough budget that accounts for every aspect of the home renovations, such as costs of labour and materials, administrative costs and permit fees, 15% to 20% reserve budget for unforeseen circumstances, and alternatives that save costs without sacrificing the quality of the finished project. It is essential that you obtain the necessary funding before starting the project. Take into account alternatives, including personal savings, building loans, and home equity loans. Moreover, keep thorough records of all expenditures and payment dates.
Acquire Expert Knowledge
Consult with knowledgeable experts for a home renovation in Singapore at the very beginning of the planning process. SM Contractor provides a detailed schedule and approximate timeline during the initial consultation. A professional’s experience is essential for intricate renovations and guarantees project success.
Permit Procurement and Authorization
Permits are required for the majority of home renovations in Singapore, particularly when structural alterations are being made. The length of this phase can be somewhere between 2 to 6 weeks, however, it depends on the type of property and refurbishment.
Certain permits will be needed for different kinds of renovations. For example, an HDB lat requires HDB permissions for any structural or hacking alterations. Whereas for private properties, approval needs to be taken from the BCA or Condo Management. The type of property determines the approval time. Due to the strict rules, HDB renovations frequently take longer, and for private condos, modifications might only need management committee clearance, particularly if they impact common areas, which does not take much time.
Main Remodeling Process
The main home renovation work can take anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks. This is an example of a standard work schedule for a home remodeling project:
Deconstruction and Structural Restoration
Before you begin any renovation work, you must ensure that the building is structurally sound. At this early stage, tasks include removing outdated modifications that need to be rebuilt, restoring rafters, stabilising walls, and addressing severe moisture issues.
Weatherproofing and Exterior Finishes
This covers any improvements made to the external walls, doors, windows, and roof covering. After the exterior is up to par, you should have a beautiful, dry place to start working on the inside. Now is also the time when any facade modifications, such as cladding or rendering, need to be finished. Depending on the specifics of your job, this may be done simultaneously with part of the initial repair work.
First Fix Phase
This stage includes installing everything that works behind the scenes to keep your house functioning properly. Here, carpentry tasks like installing new stud walls take place, along with pipe, cable, insulation, and boiler installations.
Plastering
Once the interior walls and flooring are finished, the process of sealing and decorating them begins, starting with the roof, as it ensures a flawless finish throughout the home.
Second Fix Phase
By this stage, the interior design will begin to take shape as all the components that will be used on a daily basis will be fitted. This covers bathroom fittings, kitchens, and light fixtures. Additionally, the heating system and boiler will be commissioned or turned on and certified. You can install floor tiles and wood flooring as well at this stage, specifically if you want them to go under the kitchen cabinets. However, while other work is being done, they will need to be protected.
Final Touches and Decorations
Everything that could be harmed in the earlier phases of home renovation needs to be saved for last, such as painting, adding skirting boards, wallpapering, and installing new carpets. In order to protect the stairs from damage while possibly messier tasks are being finished, they are typically installed at the very end.
Resolving Any Issues In The Snagging List
Small flaws or incomplete tasks that must be fixed prior to the final handover are noted on a snagging list. Depending on the length of the list, fixing these could take an additional week or two.
Last Clean-Up and Handover
Following the completion of the refurbishment, professionals will tidy up the site and make sure everything is prepared for the handover. Usually, this takes 1 or 2 weeks.
Final Inspections For Defects
This is your last opportunity to make sure there are no faults or areas where the quality of your project isn’t what you agreed upon. This is where it helps to be explicit from the start about what kind of finish you are looking for.
Conclusion
Home renovation in Singapore can seem like a complex process, but SM Contractor makes it easy for you with their expert project management and high-quality workmanship. From securing permits to finishing touches, they provide a seamless and efficient renovation experience designed to fit you. Contact SM Contractor now for your home renovation in Singapore.