Question 1

How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Singapore?

Accepted Answer

Honest tiers: basic refresh $8-15k (same layout, mid-spec cabinets, laminate counter, basic tiles). Mid-spec $15-25k (quartz counter, layout tweak, better tiles, decent hood + hob). Premium $25-40k (solid surface counter, full layout redesign, integrated appliances, premium European door fronts). The single biggest cost driver is countertop choice — quartz triples the price of laminate.

Question 2

How long does it take?

Accepted Answer

Basic refresh: 2-3 weeks. Mid-spec: 3-4 weeks. Premium: 3-5 weeks. The bottleneck is usually the countertop — quartz and solid surface need to be templated AFTER cabinets are installed, then fabricated off-site (5-7 days), then installed. We plan around that lead time so the kitchen is fully usable at handover, not 'usable except no counter'.

Question 3

Can we use the kitchen during the reno?

Accepted Answer

No — and don't try. From day 1 of strip-out the kitchen is dust, sparks, exposed pipes, and a fall hazard. Plan to eat out or set up a temporary kitchen elsewhere (a hot plate + microwave + kettle in the living room is what most clients do). The water shut-off alone makes the kitchen useless for 2-3 days of plumbing work.

Question 4

What cabinet material should I choose?

Accepted Answer

Plywood carcass is the right answer for Singapore — moisture-resistant, holds screws well, lasts 15-20 years. HDF/MDF is cheaper but swells if it gets wet (and kitchens get wet). Solid wood is overkill + warps in our humidity. For door fronts: laminate is most affordable + durable, acrylic looks premium but scratches show, quartz/glass doors are statement pieces but $$$. Default we'd recommend: plywood carcass + matte laminate doors.

Question 5

Countertop choices — laminate vs quartz vs solid surface?

Accepted Answer

Laminate $400-800 for a typical kitchen — looks decent, scratches with knives, can't put hot pots directly. Quartz (Caesarstone, Silestone) $2,500-5,000 — heat resistant up to 150°C, knife-proof, stain-proof, looks premium, slight visible seam at joints. Solid surface (Corian, Hi-Macs) $3,500-6,500 — seamless joints, repairable if scratched, slightly less heat-resistant than quartz. Most-recommended for HDB: quartz.

Question 6

L-shape, U-shape, or galley — what's best for my HDB?

Accepted Answer

Depends on your kitchen footprint. 3-room HDB kitchens (~7-8 m²): L-shape almost always — gives you counter on two walls without making the space feel cramped. 4-5 room (~10-14 m²): U-shape if you cook a lot, L-shape + island if you entertain. Open-concept (knocked-down kitchen wall): galley along one wall + island. We'll sketch all three options for your specific floorplan.

Question 7

Can you relocate the sink, hob, or refrigerator?

Accepted Answer

Sink: yes, but within 2-3 metres of the existing drain — beyond that you'd need a pump (noisy, failure-prone) which we'd advise against. Hob: yes, gas hob relocation needs City Gas approval (we handle) and a licensed gas servicer for the final connection; induction hob is just an electrical move. Fridge: easy — just a power point + ensure ventilation clearance. We'll flag any relocation that triggers HDB approval upfront.

Question 8

Do you handle hood + hob installation or do I get a separate appliance installer?

Accepted Answer

Either works. We can buy + install your hood + hob as a bundle (we mark up about 10-15% over Lazada price, but coordinate everything). Or you supply the units (often free install from the appliance retailer like Best Denki or Harvey Norman) and we just do the cabinet cut-out + venting prep. Most clients self-buy + we handle the integration — works out cheapest.

A kitchen you'll want to cook in.

Three tiers, one promise.

Eight things included.

Four phases.

Site visit + measure

Design + 3D

Strip + rebuild

Final check

Kitchen questions.

Ready for a kitchen you'll actually use?