Resale Landed Property in Singapore: A&A or Reconstruction? Full 2025 Guide

Buying a resale landed property in Singapore is an exciting milestone. But the moment you collect your keys, the next big question appears:

👉 “Should I just do Additions & Alterations (A&A), or must I go for a full Reconstruction?”

This is not a small decision. The classification between A&A and Rebuild affects your budget, approval process, design freedom, and how soon you can move in. If you are planning a resale landed renovation in 2025, here’s a complete guide to help you decide.

✅ What Counts as A&A (Additions & Alterations)?

A&A works are renovation projects where you keep most of the existing structure and simply enhance, expand, or modernise parts of the house.

🔨 Examples of A&A Works in Resale Landed Homes:

• Extending the rear kitchen without adding a new storey.

• Reconfiguring internal walls to combine two bedrooms into one.

• Adding a car porch, small outdoor deck, or balcony roof.

• Renovating bathrooms with new tiling and waterproofing.

• Installing skylights, new roofing tiles, or glass panels for more light.

👉 Key Rule: You are still using the original columns, beams, and slabs of the house. Once you start replacing too much of these, URA will classify it as a Rebuild.

🏗️ What Counts as a Reconstruction (Rebuild)?

A Reconstruction means your house is treated as almost brand-new. It usually happens when you change the structure too much for it to remain under A&A.

🚧 URA Typically Considers It a Rebuild If:

• More than 50% of the main structural elements are replaced.

• An additional storey is added.

• The external walls are completely removed and rebuilt.

• The overall building envelope (shape/volume) changes significantly.

👉 Example: You buy a 40-year-old terrace house, demolish most walls, add an attic, and build a new façade. Even if you think it’s still the “same house”, URA will call this a Rebuild.

📑 Why the Classification Matters

• A&A: Cheaper, faster, less paperwork.

• Rebuild: More expensive, longer, but gives you a modern brand-new home.

⚠️ Common Misunderstandings by Homeowners

1. “If I keep the front façade, it’s A&A.”
   ❌ Wrong. Even if the façade remains, if you replace more than half the structure, it’s still a Rebuild.

2. “I only added one floor, so it’s still A&A.”
   ❌ No. Adding an extra storey always pushes the project into Rebuild.

3. “The old extensions from the previous owner can stay.”
   ❌ Not true. If they were built without URA approval, you may need to reinstate them before new works are approved.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Planning for Resale Landed Renovation

1. Structural Inspection – Get a surveyor to check for cracks, termites, or foundation issues.

2. Engage a QP (Qualified Person) – Only architects/engineers can advise if your plans fall under A&A or Rebuild.

3. Budget Planning – If major structural works are needed, prepare for rebuild-level costs.

4. Approval Timeline – A&A may take 2–3 months for approval, while Rebuild can take 6 months or more.

5. Lifestyle Needs – If you need extra rooms for a multi-gen family, Rebuild gives you more flexibility.

📈 Case Studies: Real Scenarios in Singapore

• Case 1: A&A
  A family bought a 25-year-old semi-detached house in Serangoon. They extended the kitchen, re-tiled the bathrooms, and added a car porch. Cost: ~$400,000. Timeline: 9 months.

• Case 2: Rebuild
  A couple purchased a 40-year-old terrace in East Coast. They wanted a new modern 3-storey house with a roof terrace. Old structure was torn down. Cost: ~$1.2M. Timeline: 20 months.

👉 These examples show why structural age and long-term plans decide between A&A and Rebuild.

📞 Speak to Our Landed Property Specialists

Deciding between A&A or Reconstruction for your resale landed property in Singapore is not always straightforward. A wrong decision can waste months and thousands of dollars.

👉 Contact SpeedyDecor.com Pte Ltd today for professional guidance.
Call or WhatsApp our designer at +65 8839 3899 for a free consultation.