Kitchen Renovation Cost Singapore 2026: What You Actually Pay

Kitchen Renovation Cost Singapore 2026: What You Actually Pay

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The kitchen is where your renovation budget goes

In a typical Singapore HDB renovation, the kitchen accounts for 25–40% of the total budget. It is the most complex room to renovate — combining carpentry, wet works, electrical, plumbing, appliances, and ventilation into a space that averages just 7–9 sqm in a standard HDB flat.

A kitchen renovation quote that looks reasonable on paper often excludes items that add thousands to the final invoice:

•       Wet works — hacking, tiling, and waterproofing

•       Countertop fabrication — cutting holes for sink and hob, edge profiles, and installation

•       Electrical upgrades — additional power points and dedicated circuits for modern appliances

•       Appliances — almost never included in renovation quotations

The provisional sums trap: electrical and plumbing work is frequently quoted as a placeholder estimate that gets reconciled upward once walls are opened. Always insist on a per-point rate, not a provisional sum.

GST reminder — always confirm before comparing quotes

Singapore GST is 9% as of 2026. Most kitchen renovation quotations are presented excluding GST. On a SGD 25,000 kitchen renovation, that is an additional SGD 2,250 at checkout. Always confirm in writing whether a quotation is GST-inclusive or exclusive before comparing — you may be comparing figures on different bases without realising it.

Kitchen renovation costs 2026 — verified figures

All figures verified from multiple Singapore renovation sources, April 2026. These reflect mid-market scopes — not ultra-basic contractor packages or premium custom builds. All figures are before GST unless stated.

BTO kitchen renovation costs

Scope	What is included	2026 cost range (before GST)
Basic BTO kitchen	Standard laminate cabinets, basic countertop, HDB tap, minimal additional electrical points	SGD 8,000–14,000
Mid-range BTO kitchen	Quality laminate cabinets (plywood carcass), quartz or sintered stone countertop, hood and hob, 6–8 additional power points, under-cabinet lighting	SGD 14,000–22,000
Premium BTO kitchen	Custom cabinet system, sintered stone full slab countertop, integrated appliances, pendant lighting, island if layout permits	SGD 22,000–35,000+

BTO ROI tip: for a new BTO kitchen, focus discretionary budget on internal PVC cabinet finishes and soft-close hinges. These two upgrades significantly extend cabinet lifespan in Singapore's humid climate and are far cheaper to specify upfront than to retrofit.

Resale kitchen renovation costs

Scope	What is included	2026 cost range (before GST)
Basic resale kitchen	Hack existing tiles and cabinets, standard new cabinets, basic countertop, retile floor only	SGD 14,000–22,000
Mid-range resale kitchen	Full hack, plywood carcass cabinet system, quartz countertop, new hood and hob, electrical upgrade, retile walls and floor	SGD 22,000–35,000
Premium resale kitchen	Full infrastructure replacement, custom cabinets, sintered stone, integrated appliances, full electrical rewiring	SGD 35,000–55,000+

Why resale costs 40–60% more: demolition of existing tiles and cabinets (SGD 2,000–5,000), debris disposal (SGD 500–1,200), aged pipe replacement (SGD 1,500–3,500), electrical load upgrade (SGD 2,000–8,000), and waterproofing remediation if needed. These are mandatory infrastructure items — not optional upgrades — that BTO renovations simply do not require.

Line-by-line cost breakdown

1. Kitchen cabinets — the largest single cost item

Cabinets typically account for 40–50% of a kitchen renovation budget. The carcass material — the internal box structure — is the most important specification decision and the one most frequently cut in budget packages.

Note on units: Singapore contractors quote carpentry in foot run (pfr) or linear metre (lm). One linear metre = approximately 3.28 foot run. Prices below are shown in both units for easy comparison with your quotations.

Carcass material	Performance in Singapore	2026 price (pfr)	2026 price (lm)
Particle board	Absorbs moisture, swells and delaminates within 3–5 years in Singapore humidity. Avoid entirely.	SGD 60–105/pfr	SGD 200–350/lm
MDF	Better than particle board but still moisture-sensitive. Common in lower-budget packages labelled as solid board.	SGD 85–130/pfr	SGD 280–420/lm
Plywood — recommended minimum	Furniture-grade 18mm plywood. Moisture-resistant, structurally strong, holds screws reliably. Industry minimum for Singapore kitchens.	SGD 115–185/pfr	SGD 380–600/lm
Aluminium frame	Fully moisture-proof. No swelling, no delamination. Growing as the premium Singapore standard.	SGD 150–260/pfr	SGD 500–850/lm

A standard HDB kitchen has 4–6 linear metres (13–20 foot run) of cabinets. At plywood specification, budget SGD 1,500–3,600 in carcass cost before doors, hardware, and countertop. Always specify plywood carcass by name in your contract — descriptions like solid wood, timber, or quality board are regularly used to substitute cheaper materials.

2. Cabinet doors and finishes

Door finish	Look and durability	2026 cost per door
High-pressure laminate (HPL)	Durable, wide colour range, scratch and moisture resistant. Most common in Singapore kitchens.	SGD 80–160
Lacquer (spray-painted)	Smooth seamless finish, more premium look. More susceptible to chipping at edges over time.	SGD 120–220
Acrylic	High-gloss reflective finish. Shows fingerprints. Strong visual impact in smaller kitchens.	SGD 150–280
PVC membrane wrapped	Curved edge options available. Mid-range durability.	SGD 100–180

3. Countertops — the material that defines the kitchen

Countertop pricing is quoted per linear metre (lm) or per foot run (pfr) in Singapore. One linear metre = 3.28 foot run.

Material	Singapore-specific assessment	Per lm (2026)	Per pfr (2026)
Laminate	Budget only. Not heat or scratch resistant. Not suitable for Singapore cooking.	SGD 150–300/lm	SGD 45–90/pfr
Quartz	Non-porous, heat resistant, durable. Mid-range Singapore standard.	SGD 350–650/lm	SGD 105–200/pfr
Sintered stone	2026 premium standard. Extremely heat resistant, zero maintenance. Best for Singapore cooking style. Now competitively priced with high-end quartz.	SGD 500–900/lm	SGD 150–275/pfr
Natural marble	Porous, stains from acids. High maintenance. Not recommended for active Singapore cooks.	SGD 600–1,200/lm	SGD 180–365/pfr
Solid surface (Corian)	Seamless integrated sink option. Repairable if scratched.	SGD 400–700/lm	SGD 120–215/pfr

A standard HDB kitchen countertop is 2.5–4 linear metres (8–13 foot run). At mid-range quartz, budget SGD 875–2,600 for the material plus SGD 300–600 for fabrication and installation. Allow 7–10 days from template measurement to delivery for quartz and sintered stone.

4. Wet works — the costs BTO homeowners forget

Wet work item	When needed	2026 cost
Floor tiling (kitchen)	Always — HDB delivers bare screed for BTO kitchens	SGD 800–2,500
Wall tiling (backsplash only)	Behind countertop and hob area	SGD 600–1,800
Wall tiling (full height)	Full kitchen wall tile replacement	SGD 1,500–4,000
Full tile hack (resale)	Remove existing before retiling	SGD 800–2,000 (labour + disposal)
Waterproofing (kitchen floor)	Recommended if floor is being fully hacked	SGD 500–1,200
Pipe replacement	Mandatory for iron pipes (resale) or if changing sink/tap position	SGD 1,500–3,500

5. Electrical — the provisional sums trap

Electrical work is the most common mechanism through which kitchen renovation budgets blow out. It is frequently quoted as a provisional sum — a placeholder that is reconciled against actual costs once walls are opened. In practice, provisional sums almost always reconcile upward.

A modern Singapore kitchen needs significantly more electrical points than the HDB standard package provides. An induction hob requires a dedicated 30A circuit. Add a built-in oven, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, and 6–8 small appliance points and you need 12–16 dedicated points in the kitchen alone.

Electrical item	Notes	2026 cost
Additional power points — during renovation	Budget for 12–16 points minimum in a Singapore kitchen.	SGD 80–120/point
Additional power points — after walls close	Requires hacking walls, replastering, repainting. Avoid by planning upfront.	SGD 300–500/point
Dedicated 30A circuit for induction hob	Cannot share with other appliances	SGD 300–500
Dedicated circuit for built-in oven	If installing oven	SGD 300–500
Under-cabinet LED lighting	Must be planned before walls close	SGD 300–800 (full kitchen)
Full kitchen rewiring (resale 20+ years)	Required for safe operation of modern appliance loads	SGD 2,000–5,000

What to demand: insist on a per-point rate for all electrical work — never accept provisional sum for kitchen electrical. Ask exactly how many points are included in the package and what the rate is for additional points. A contractor who cannot answer clearly is one you should not sign with.

6. Appliances — a separate budget, not included in renovation quotes

Kitchen appliances are almost never included in renovation quotations and cannot be financed through renovation loans — they require separate cash or personal loan funding.

Appliance	2026 Singapore price range	Notes
Induction hob (2-zone)	SGD 300–800	Most Singapore kitchens moving to induction — less grease splatter, lower heat output
Induction hob (4-zone built-in)	SGD 800–2,500	Premium: Bosch, Smeg, V-Zug
Cooker hood (standard)	SGD 200–600	Slim or island type depending on kitchen layout
Cooker hood (premium high-extraction)	SGD 600–2,000	Minimum 900 m3/hour extraction for heavy Singapore wok cooking
Built-in oven	SGD 600–2,500	Bosch, Electrolux, Miele depending on budget
Dishwasher	SGD 800–2,500	Requires pre-planned plumbing point — confirm with contractor before finalising layout
Refrigerator	SGD 500–3,500	Separate purchase entirely

Total kitchen renovation — realistic budget summary

Flat type and scope	Cabinets	Wet works	Electrical	Total (excl. appliances, excl. GST)
3-room BTO (basic)	SGD 8,000	SGD 2,000	SGD 1,500	SGD 11,500–14,000
4-room BTO (mid-range)	SGD 14,000	SGD 3,500	SGD 2,500	SGD 20,000–25,000
4-room BTO (premium)	SGD 22,000	SGD 4,500	SGD 3,500	SGD 30,000–38,000
4-room resale (mid-range)	SGD 14,000	SGD 6,000	SGD 4,000	SGD 24,000–32,000
4-room resale (premium)	SGD 22,000	SGD 9,000	SGD 6,000	SGD 37,000–50,000
5-room BTO (premium)	SGD 26,000	SGD 5,000	SGD 4,000	SGD 35,000–45,000

Add 9% GST to all figures above. Add 10% contingency for BTO and 15% for resale. Budget appliances separately — typically SGD 3,000–10,000 depending on brand and specification.

Five things to insist on before signing any kitchen quotation

•       Specify plywood carcass by name — not solid timber, quality board, or timber carcass

•       Demand price per foot run or linear metre for cabinets — lump sum kitchen quotes hide cost per component

•       Confirm countertop price includes edge profile, sink cutout, and installation — these are commonly excluded and add SGD 300–600

•       Reject provisional sums for electrical — insist on a per-point rate (SGD 80–120/point) and a specific count of points included

•       Confirm whether the quote is GST-inclusive or exclusive — always compare on the same basis

For the full renovation picture see our HDB renovation guide and renovation timeline guide. For bathroom costs see our bathroom renovation cost guide.