Step-by-Step Renovation Process in Singapore (2025) with a Full Masonry & Wet Works Guide

Renovating a home in Singapore — whether it is an HDB resale flat, a private condo, or a landed house — usually follows a similar construction sequence. The stage that most homeowners overlook is also the most important one:

Masonry & Wet Works — the foundation of all long-lasting renovation work.

This is the stage where waterproofing, screeding, tiling, hacking, wall construction and all other “wet trades” are done. If anything is done poorly here, issues like hollow tiles, popped tiles, water leakage and uneven floors can appear months later.

In this guide, you will see the complete 2025 renovation process in Singapore, with a deep professional focus on Masonry & Wet Works for HDB, condo and landed homes.

1. Site Protection & Measurement (1–2 Days)

Before any hacking or noisy work starts, your contractor should:

• Protect common areas (lifts, corridors, lobby) according to HDB or condo rules.
• Cover existing floors, parquet or tiles that you want to keep.
• Protect door frames and window frames from impact and dust.
• Carry out laser measurements of all rooms and wet areas.
• Check the condition of existing flooring, waterproofing and piping.

Why it matters: Poor protection leads to scratched floors, dirty common areas, MCST penalties and extra repair work even before the renovation really starts.

2. & Demolition Works (3–7 Days)

After protection, the next step is to remove what you do not need.

• Hacking of old floor tiles in the living room, kitchen and bathrooms.
• Removal of existing built-in carpentry and wardrobes.
• Demolition of old false ceilings and wall partitions (if allowed).
• Removal of kitchen cabinets, sanitary ware and old doors (if required).

For HDB flats:

• Hacking structural walls is strictly controlled and needs PE endorsement.
• HDB hacking permits are required for wall and floor demolition.

For condos:

• MCST will set rules for noisy works and hacking time windows.
• Hacking usually must be finished within a fixed number of days.

3. Masonry & Wet Works , The Core Stage

This is the most important stage in any renovation project. Almost everything you see and feel in a completed home depends on the quality of the wet works done here.

Typical duration:

• HDB: about 2.5–4 weeks
• Condo: about 2–3 weeks
• Landed: about 3–6 weeks (more wet areas and tiling)

3.1 Scope of Masonry & Wet Works

A. Floor & Wall Screeding

Screeding is the process of levelling and preparing the floor or wall surface before installing tiles or vinyl.

• Cement screed to level uneven concrete floors.
• Self-levelling compound for high-precision flatness in some cases.
• Correcting old, uneven or cracked floors in resale units.
• Preparing surfaces for vinyl, laminate flooring or large-format tiles.

B. Waterproofing of Toilets, Kitchen and Balcony

Waterproofing is one of the most critical parts of wet works. Common areas include:

• All bathroom floors and lower wall areas.
• Kitchen wet zone around the sink and dishwashing area.
• Balcony floors and any outdoor wet areas.
• Planters or recessed floor areas in condos and landed homes.

Good waterproofing work should include:

• Proper surface preparation and cleaning.
• Application of 2–4 layers of waterproofing membrane.
• Sealing of corner joints, pipe penetrations and wall-floor junctions.
• Ponding test for at least 24 hours to check for leaks.

If waterproofing fails:

• You may get water leakage to the unit below.
• HDB or MCST can request you to redo the works.
• Repair cost is much higher than doing it right the first time.

C. Tiling Works (Floor and Wall)

After waterproofing is completed and cured, tiling can begin.

Typical tiling areas include:

• Bathroom floors and walls.
• Kitchen floor and backsplash.
• Balcony floors.
• Living and dining room floors (for tile or marble finishes).
• Feature walls or TV walls (optional).

Key steps in quality tiling:

• Setting out tile layout to avoid awkward small tile cuts at corners.
• Using tile spacers or clip systems to control grout gaps and lippage.
• Maintaining proper slope towards the floor trap in bathrooms.
• Grouting and cleaning all joints after tiles are fixed.
• Sealing marble or porous stone if used for high-end projects.

What homeowners should check:

• Any obvious unevenness or high tile edges (lippage).
• Hollow sound when tapping tiles, which may indicate poor bonding.
• Correct slope to floor traps to avoid ponding water.
• Clean and consistent grout lines.

D. Wall Construction and Partition Works

Masonry works also include building or removing walls and partitions.

• Constructing new brick or block walls to form rooms or walk-in wardrobes.
• Building half-height walls in bathrooms or kitchen.
• Closing old doorways or openings.
• Creating new non-structural door openings (with PE advice if needed).
• Full plastering and smoothing of new and old wall surfaces.

This is common in resale HDB and condo units where layouts are reconfigured to suit new lifestyles, such as study rooms, bigger master bedrooms or open-concept spaces.

E. Wet Area Bases and Kerbs

Many small but important wet works items are easy to overlook:

• Shower kerbs to contain water in the shower area.
• Washing machine and dryer bases for drainage and vibration control.
• Kitchen cabinet bases to protect cabinets from water.
• Bathtub bases and supports (for condo and landed homes).
• Balcony kerbs or low walls to control water runoff.

F. Full Toilet Rebuild (Masonry Package)

A full toilet overhaul usually includes:

• Hacking old wall and floor tiles.
• New screeding and waterproofing.
• New wall and floor tiles.
• Relocating or upgrading floor traps.
• Forming niches or ledges for toiletries.
• Preparing wall and floor for new sanitary fittings.

This is one of the most masonry-intensive and cost-heavy parts of any renovation project.

4. Plumbing and Electrical Rewiring (4–7 Days)

When wet works are cured and safe to work on, plumbing and electrical works can proceed.

Electrical works include:

• New lighting and power point layout.
• Wiring for water heaters, ovens and air-conditioner isolators.
• DB board upgrades where necessary.

Plumbing works include:

• New water pipe runs for basin, sink, shower, WC and washing machine.
• Relocating or adding water outlets and inlets.
• Gas pipe extensions where required (for HDB or condos with gas).

Electrical and plumbing must follow regulations for HDB, condo and landed homes, and should be carried out by licensed workers.

5. Works (2–4 Weeks, Mostly Off-Site)

While the site work is ongoing, most carpentry items are fabricated in the factory.

• Kitchen cabinet carcasses and doors.
• Bedroom wardrobes and internal compartments.
• TV feature walls and consoles.
• Platform beds and storage systems.
• Study tables and bookshelves.
• Shoe cabinets and DB box covers.

Once wet works and painting are done, carpentry will be delivered and installed on site.

6. Painting, Doors, Glass and Lighting Installation (5–10 Days)

At this stage, your home starts to look finished.

• Wall and ceiling painting (usually 2–3 coats).
• Installation of bedroom and bathroom doors.
• Glass shower screens and mirrors.
• Installation of lights, fans and switches.
• Final sealing and touch-up of gaps and joints.

7. Final Touch-Up, Cleaning and Handover (1–2 Days)

Before you move in, the contractor should:

• Carry out a full chemical wash of floors and wall tiles.
• Clean up dust and construction debris.
• Touch up paint, grout and silicone where needed.
• Rectify minor defects in carpentry, tiles and fittings.
• Walk through the unit with you for final inspection.

8. Renovation Timeline Overview by House Type

9. Estimated Masonry & Wet Works Cost in 2025

Actual prices depend on materials, design and site conditions, but the table below shows general cost ranges in Singapore for 2025.

10. Final Advice: Why Masonry & Wet Works Matter So Much

Masonry & Wet Works are the hidden backbone of your renovation.

• They determine whether your bathrooms and balconies stay waterproof.
• They affect the flatness and feel of every floor you walk on.
• They influence how well your tiles, cabinets and glass align.
• They can even affect your future resale value and inspection results.

If wet works are done badly, the cost to fix them later can be three to five times higher than doing them properly at the start.

When you plan your next renovation in Singapore, pay close attention to the contractor’s scope and quality for masonry & wet works. A solid foundation here means a safer, more comfortable and more durable home for many years ahead.