Are you thinking of renovating your HDB flat?
Having your home renovated can be a great thing. It can give you a new outlook on life, a fresh and modern home. However, renovation is always a challenging task. If you do it the wrong way, you can have an inconvenience that could be a huge deal for you.
But don’t worry, it can be more manageable if you are aware of the right timings. Here, we have compiled 5 HDB renovation timings you should avoid:
1. Weekends and public holidays
Most contractors will be booked for these periods and you will end up paying a premium for their services. In addition, doing any renovation work on a weekend or public holiday can be an even more frustrating experience, as one is likely to face more noise and disruption from neighbouring units. Since HDB also has renovation noise rules, to reduce any unnecessary hassles, it is best to avoid HDB renovation works on weekends and public holidays. This will allow one to avoid any potential clashes with neighbours, and also ensure that the work is carried out in a smooth and efficient manner. If it is too disruptive, the neighbours can also file a HDB renovation noise complaint to you.
2. End of month or quarter
Renovation contractors are usually busiest at the end of month or quarter when people want to get their renovation done before the next billing cycle. This is because many people would have received their salaries and are more likely to have the budget for renovation. The contractors will also be very busy and may not be able to meet your desired timeline. Therefore, contractors may usually be more inclined to raise their prices or demand more payment during this time as they know that businesses may be more willing to pay due to the urgency.
3. School holidays
HDB renovation can be a messy and noisy affair. If you’re planning to do any renovations in your HDB flat, it’s best to avoid doing them during school holidays. This is because many schools in Singapore organise camps and activities for students during the school holidays, and the noise from the renovation work may disturb the students and disrupt their learning. Since it can be disruptive, it is best to do your HDB renovation when students are not around so you won’t disturb them.
4. National Day and Christmas
These are two of the busiest times in Singapore, so many businesses and services will be closed. This can make it difficult to get the work done that you need. Therefore, HDB renovation will be very congested and it will take a longer time to complete the renovation works. The workers may also be less focused during these periods as HDB is expecting a surge in renovation requests during the National Day and Christmas holidays.
HDB has released a list of tips to help residents avoid the rush, and get their renovations done on time. Some of the tips include avoiding the week of National Day (9-15 August) and the week of Christmas (21-25 December), planning your renovation in advance, and coordinating with your neighbours. HDB also advises residents to submit their applications early, and avoid requesting too many changes at once. You can find other HDB guidelines for renovation on their website.
5. Chinese New Year
This is a time when many people in Singapore travel and visit family. The roads and transportation may be congested, making it difficult to get materials or workers to your home. HDB renovation is a common affair during Chinese New Year as many homeowners want to renovate their homes before the festive season.
It is because HDB renovation work is known to be a major cause of noise and dust pollution during the Chinese New Year period. In order to avoid such nuisances, it is advisable not to start any renovation works from 1 to 15 February. The residents in HDB towns are advised to refrain from engaging any contractors for renovation works during the festive period, unless it is an emergency. Moreover, many workers, including contractors and labourers, will be taking leave during the holiday period. As a result, the renovation process may slow down and you may not be able to get the work done on time.
Renovate Smoothly with MyRenoDiary
HDB renovations can be a bit of a headache. Between finding the right timing, the right contractor and dealing with unexpected problems, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Renovating your HDB can be a lot of work, but it’s definitely worth it in the end! MyRenoDiary is here to help make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
With our experienced interior designers and contractors, we’ll take care of everything for you so you can relax and enjoy your new HDB renovation!