HDB kitchen renovation: the order of works, timeline and what drives cost
A kitchen is the most complex room to renovate because every trade has to come in the right order. Get the sequence wrong and you're redoing work. Here's how an HDB kitchen reno actually runs, and where the budget goes.
SparkFlow team7 min readThe kitchen is the trickiest room in any HDB renovation because so many trades have to come in the right sequence — plumber, electrician, tiler, carpenter — each depending on the last. It's the most demanding job in a typical HDB kitchen renovation. Here's the order it actually runs in, and where the money goes.
The order of works
- 1. Hacking & removal — old cabinets, tiles and sometimes the existing counter come out.
- 2. Plumbing & electrical first-fix — relocating the sink, adding points for the hob, hood, oven and small appliances. Adding the extra power points and switches a modern kitchen needs has to happen before tiling because it's buried.
- 3. Waterproofing & tiling — the wet areas are sealed, then floor and wall tiles go on.
- 4. Carpentry — cabinets and countertop are templated and installed (often a 2–3 week lead time from measurement).
- 5. Appliances & second-fix — hob, hood, sink and taps fitted and connected.
- 6. Touch-ups & clean — silicone, paint touch-ups, and a thorough post-renovation clean before you move back in.
A realistic timeline
A standard HDB kitchen runs about 2–4 weeks on site, but the critical path is usually carpentry: once measurements are taken (after tiling), the cabinets take a couple of weeks to fabricate. Order appliances early so they're ready for second-fix and don't hold up the job. If you're renovating the whole flat, our HDB resale renovation timeline shows how the kitchen slots into the wider schedule.
What drives the cost
Four choices move an HDB kitchen budget more than anything else. If the sink or hob shifts, that ripples into the plumbing and electrical first-fix too, so it pays to lock the layout early.
| Cost driver | Why it moves the budget |
|---|---|
| Carpentry | Usually the biggest line. Material (laminate vs solid surface vs quartz counter) and the run of cabinets dominate. |
| Layout changes | Moving the sink or hob means more plumbing and electrical work and re-waterproofing. |
| Tiling area and finish | Full-height wall tiles cost more than a backsplash. |
| Appliances | Supplied by you or sourced; built-in hobs, hoods and ovens vary widely. |
HDB rules to keep in mind
Hacking, and any work affecting wet areas, has permit and contractor requirements, and there are rules on overlaying vs hacking floors and on the original waterproofing membrane. A licensed team keeps it compliant. For overall reno budgeting, see our BTO renovation cost guide.
The takeaway
A kitchen reno lives and dies by the sequence and the carpentry lead time — plan first-fix plumbing and electrical before tiling, and order appliances early. Tell us your layout and what you want to change and our renovation team can scope the works and timeline for you.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does an HDB kitchen renovation take?
- A standard HDB kitchen runs about 2 to 4 weeks on site. The critical path is usually carpentry: once measurements are taken after tiling, cabinets take a couple of weeks to fabricate. Ordering appliances early keeps the second-fix from stalling the whole job.
- What is the correct order of works for a kitchen reno?
- Hacking and removal first, then plumbing and electrical first-fix, then waterproofing and tiling, then carpentry for cabinets and countertop, then appliances and second-fix, and finally touch-ups and a post-reno clean. Get the sequence wrong and you end up redoing buried work.
- What is the biggest cost in an HDB kitchen renovation?
- Carpentry is usually the biggest line. Your choice of counter material (laminate, solid surface or quartz) and the run of cabinets dominate the bill. Moving the sink or hob also adds cost because it means more plumbing, electrical work and re-waterproofing.
- Do I need a permit to hack my HDB kitchen?
- Hacking and any work affecting wet areas carry HDB permit and contractor requirements, including rules on overlaying versus hacking floors and on the original waterproofing membrane. Using a licensed renovation team keeps the works compliant and avoids issues with the original waterproofing.
- Why does plumbing and electrical work have to happen before tiling?
- Relocating the sink and adding points for the hob, hood, oven and small appliances has to be done first because the pipes and wiring get buried behind the tiles. If you tile first, any layout change means breaking the finished surface open again.