When I bought my resale HDB flat, I knew the transformation had to start with hacking—removing old tiles, non-structural walls and dated built-ins—so the new layout could breathe. As a homeowner, I wanted everything done safely, legally, and efficiently, with clear permits, good debris control, and a realistic schedule. Below is the exact process I followed, the rules I checked, and why working with an experienced, compliance-first team made all the difference.
Step 1: Plan the Layout and Align on What Can (and Cannot) Be Hacked
Before any demolition, I sat down with my designer and contractor to mark what we intended to remove—for example, a non-structural kitchen wall to open the space and old floor/wall tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms.
- Non-negotiable rule: Structural members (reinforced concrete walls, columns, beams, slabs) cannot be hacked. That’s explicitly disallowed under HDB rules, and it’s there for everyone’s safety. (Housing & Development Board)
- We reviewed the official HDB renovation guidance to ensure everything we planned was permitted and to understand the process for approvals before starting. (Housing & Development Board)
Tip: Ask your contractor to walk through the layout with the official floorplan and identify structural vs non-structural elements. If there’s any doubt, don’t proceed until it’s clarified against HDB guidelines.
Step 2: Secure the Renovation Permit (Before Any Work Starts)
I learnt quickly that permits must be approved before renovation begins—especially for hacking. Homeowners are responsible for ensuring the right approvals are in place; your contractor submits the application via HDB’s e-services with the required drawings and details. (Housing & Development Board)
What I checked with my contractor:
- The submission included the scope of hacking, floorplan, and method statements.
- All works complied with HDB’s “What’s allowed / disallowed” lists. (Housing & Development Board)
- The team handling the work had the right competencies (e.g., interior decoration & finishing works competence under BCA’s CR06 classification). (BCA Corp)
Step 3: Set Expectations on Noise Windows, Neighbour Notices and Lift Protection
Hacking is noisy. We scheduled it within the permitted renovation windows and informed neighbours early to maintain good relationships. HDB sets specific restrictions and conditions around renovation hours and conduct; following the official guidance is the safest way to avoid complaints and delays. (Housing & Development Board)
On site, I requested:
- Lift and corridor protection before moving debris.
- Dust control: zipper doors, plastic sheeting, and regular vacuuming.
- A debris disposal plan so common areas stayed clean and safe.
Step 4: The Hacking Days—How We Ran It Safely
On hacking days, the team:
- Double-checked permit on file and the approved hacking scope. (Housing & Development Board)
- Marked all non-structural walls and tiles to remove; structural members were out of bounds. (Housing & Development Board)
- Used proper tools and protected existing windows/doors to prevent damage.
- Segregated debris for fast removal and kept common areas tidy.
The foreman kept me updated with photos and a short end-of-day brief so I always knew progress vs plan.
Step 5: Post-Hacking Inspection and Making Good
Immediately after hacking, we did a walk-through to check:
- Edges and surfaces were neat and ready for the next trades.
- No accidental damage to pipes/cables.
- No structural elements had been compromised (again: these must never be touched). (Housing & Development Board)
If anything looked off, we paused other trades and corrected it before moving ahead. This saved time and rework later.
Step 6: Services Rough-In (Electrical & Plumbing) and Wet Works
Once the space was opened up, we began:
- Electrical rewiring and lighting points per the new layout (with compliance to HDB guidelines). (Housing & Development Board)
- Plumbing reroutes for the kitchen and bathrooms where needed.
- Screeding/levelling and waterproofing in wet areas.
Step 7: Tiling, Carpentry, Doors & Finishes
With the heavy works done, we moved to:
- New tiling or vinyl/laminate flooring (depending on the zone).
- Built-in carpentry: kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, TV console, study.
- Aluminium & glass solutions: sliding partitions to save space and bring light into darker corners.
As a homeowner, I cared about air quality. We specified low-emission materials for built-ins to keep the home fresh after renovation.
Step 8: Paint, Final Fixtures and Quality Checks
We completed final painting, installed sanitary ware and lighting, then performed a systematic defects check:
- Cabinet alignment, hinge tension, soft-close action
- Door operation and locks
- Tile lippage, grout colour consistency, silicone finishing
- Water tests in wet areas
- Power point and lighting functionality
Any defects were logged and rectified before hand-over.
Why I Picked a Compliance-First, One-Stop Team
Looking back, choosing a team that prioritises HDB compliance and quality saved me from stress. The contractor handled permit submissions via HDB’s process before starting works, hacked only what’s allowed, and kept to legitimate renovation windows—exactly how HDB expects it to be done. (Housing & Development Board)
On top of that, their competency covered interior decoration & finishing works—the trade class that bundles partitions, ceilings, tiling, and carpentry under BCA’s CR06 umbrella—so coordination was tight and accountability was clear. (BCA Corp)
Practical Checklist for Homeowners (Copy-and-Use)
- □ Finalise layout and confirm non-structural vs structural elements (structural = never hack). (Housing & Development Board)
- □ Get HDB renovation permit approval in writing before work starts. (Housing & Development Board)
- □ Align hacking dates within permitted renovation hours and inform neighbours. (Housing & Development Board)
- □ Protect lifts/corridors; plan debris disposal and dust control.
- □ After hacking, inspect thoroughly before moving to wet works.
- □ Run services rough-in → wet works → flooring → carpentry → paint → QA.
- □ Keep a defects list and close it before final payment.
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Ready to Renovate Your Resale HDB?
If you want the same clean, compliant, and well-managed process for your resale HDB—with proper permits, safe hacking and a smooth design-to-build flow—contact our designer Joyce today:
📞 +65 8839 3899 (Joyce)
We’ll review your layout, advise what can be hacked within HDB rules, prepare a clear timeline, and give you a transparent quotation—so you can renovate confidently from Day 1.
