Restricted renovation works in Housing Board flats, including demolition, removal of wall or floor finishes, tile cutting and heavy drilling, may only be carried out from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.
The Housing and Development Board (HDB) set out the timings on its Important Information on Renovations page, last updated on Jan 14 and checked on Saturday (Aug 29). Those works are not allowed on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, or the eves of New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa and Christmas Day.
TIMINGS
General renovation, such as plastering, painting and laying floor screed, may run from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday. No renovation is allowed on Sundays and public holidays.
NOTICE
Flat owners must give written notice at least five days before works begin to neighbours staying within a radius of two units. After the renovation permit is issued, the owner and contractor must display HDB’s Notice of Renovation outside the flat until the works are completed. HDB also asks for the main door to be closed where possible while works are ongoing.
Do-it-yourself works should be limited to 7am to 10.30pm. HDB says drilling and hammering should not be carried out from 10.30pm to 7am.
CONTRACTORS
Only contractors listed on HDB’s Directory of Renovation Contractors (DRC) may carry out renovations in HDB flats, including works that do not require HDB’s approval. Under Rule 6 of the Housing and Development (Renovation Control) Rules 2006, carrying out renovations, or advertising as listed, without being on the DRC is an offence. Conviction can mean a fine of up to S$5,000. The flat owner can be liable if a listed contractor was not engaged.
SITE LIMITS
Only two handheld power tools approved by HDB may be used at a given time. Demolition and removal of finishes must be completed within three consecutive days. Existing blocks have one month from the permit date to complete the works. Newly completed blocks have three months. Window-only works have two weeks.
HDB is not a party to the private agreement between the owner and the contractor. Disputes are to be settled through the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) or the Small Claims Tribunals.
Some new-launch project booklets use a three-day neighbour notice. The HDB living-in-the-flat page, which covers most resale and older blocks, remains five days and a two-unit radius. The DRC listing was last updated on Sep 11, 2025.
