Have you ever heard what sounds like marbles dropping in the middle of the night, only to realise the unit above has been empty all along?
Or perhaps you have heard stories about that block, floor or unit people would rather not talk about after dark.
Come Ghost Month, these stories tend to resurface, together with familiar list of renovation warnings:
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Do not hack.
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Do not start renovation.
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Do not move in.
But why is that so?
According to the National Heritage Board, the Hungry Ghost Festival takes place during the seventh lunar month, a period traditionally associated with various beliefs and practices surrounding wandering spirits.
For some Singapore homeowners, these traditions remain important. For others, they are superstitions they may have heard growing up without fully understanding where they came from.
But when Ghost Month overlaps with an actual renovation, what should you really be concerned about?
Here are six common Ghost Month renovation taboos and whether they are true, false or misunderstood.
Myth 1: You Cannot Renovate During Ghost Month
Verdict: Misunderstood
One of the most common beliefs is that renovation should stop completely during the Seventh Month.
The taboo itself is not uncommon. In fact, some homeowners may avoid beginning major works during this period because of traditional concerns surrounding Ghost Month.
However, this should not be confused with an actual renovation regulation.
Current HDB renovation requirements cover matters such as renovation permits, approved works, registered contractors, hacking and permitted working hours. No separate restrictions apply simply because it is the seventh lunar month.
So, can you renovate during Ghost Month?
From a regulatory standpoint, yes, as long as the works comply with the usual requirements. But, from a cultural standpoint, whether you choose to proceed depends on what you and your household are comfortable with.
Myth 2: Hacking During Ghost Month Is Strictly Off-Limits
Verdict: Misunderstood
Hacking is probably the renovation activity most associated with Ghost Month.
Traditional concerns generally centre around the noise and disturbance created by hacking, drilling and demolition. Some households therefore avoid such works during the Seventh Month.
But being taboo does not make hacking prohibited.
For HDB flats, all demolition and wall hacking require HDB's prior written approval, regardless of the lunar month. Noisy works such as demolishing walls, removing finishes and heavy drilling are also subject to specific permitted working hours.
If avoiding hacking during Ghost Month matters to your household, raise it before the renovation schedule is confirmed, so your ID can schedule hacking earlier and plan other stages around it. As hacking typically happens early in the renovation, planning ahead may mean you do not have to postpone the entire project.
Myth 3: Ghost Month Changes the HDB Renovation Rules
Verdict: False
Ghost Month may affect personal preferences, but it does not change the HDB renovation rules.
Whether works happen during the Seventh Month or any other time of year, homeowners still need to follow the applicable HDB renovation guidelines.
The usual requirements around permits, approved works and permitted working hours continue to apply.
While your family may have additional traditions they want to observe, your contractor still has to follow the same renovation requirements.
Ghost Month does not override HDB.
Myth 4: You Should Not Move Into a New Home During Ghost Month
Verdict: True as a Traditional Belief
According to the National Heritage Board's overview of Zhong Yuan Jie, traditional superstitions associated with the festival include avoiding marriage and moving house during the month.
That does not mean you are legally prevented from moving into your home.
Instead, it is a cultural practice that some households continue to observe.
For homeowners whose renovation finishes during Ghost Month, renovation completion and moving in do not necessarily need to happen on the same day.
Handover, defect checks, cleaning, appliance installation and furniture delivery may be completed first, while the official move-in can be scheduled for a date the household is more comfortable with.
Myth 5: If Renovation Started Before Ghost Month, It Must Stop Once the Month Begins
Verdict: False
There is no HDB requirement stating that an existing renovation must stop simply because the seventh lunar month has begun.
In practice, homeowners may approach this differently.
Some may be uncomfortable starting renovations during Ghost Month but are willing to let work that started beforehand continue. If your household observes Ghost Month, it helps to be specific about what you want to avoid.
Is it the first day of renovation?
Hacking?
Major installations?
Or moving in?
Once that is clear, your Interior Designer can plan around the milestones that matter instead of putting the entire project on hold unnecessarily.
Myth 6: Following Ghost Month Taboos Means Delaying Your Entire Renovation
Verdict: Misunderstood
Observing Ghost Month does not necessarily mean pressing pause on your renovation for an entire month.
It depends on which traditions your household wants to observe.
You might choose to complete hacking beforehand, allow off-site carpentry fabrication to continue, proceed with selected installation works, then schedule your move-in for later.
The exact arrangement will depend on your renovation schedule and your family's preferences. What matters is communicating these considerations early.
A last-minute decision to postpone hacking or move-in can have a knock-on effect on contractors, deliveries and your overall renovation timeline.
Planning around Ghost Month is much easier than rearranging an entire renovation halfway through.
Are Ghost Month Renovation Taboos Real?
The traditions are real. What can be misunderstood is how broadly they should apply to a modern renovation. Cultural beliefs should not be confused with renovation regulations.
If your household observes Ghost Month, tell your interior designer early.
If your household does not observe these traditions, still plan your renovation around the factors that determine whether a project goes smoothly, such as approvals, workmanship, scheduling and communication.
After all, if something starts knocking inside your cabinet at night, you might want to check the hinges first.
Then perhaps start worrying.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ghost Month Renovation in Singapore
Can you renovate during Ghost Month in Singapore?
Yes. There is no blanket HDB restriction preventing renovation simply because it is Ghost Month. However, some households may choose not to renovate or begin major works during the Seventh Month because of traditional beliefs.
Can you hack during Ghost Month?
From a regulatory perspective, hacking can take place during Ghost Month as long as it complies with the applicable HDB requirements. All demolition and wall hacking in HDB flats require prior written approval from HDB.
Is it bad luck to start renovation during Ghost Month?
Some traditional beliefs consider starting major activities during the Seventh Month inauspicious. This is a cultural belief rather than a renovation regulation, and practices can differ between households.
Can renovation continue if it started before Ghost Month?
Yes, there is no HDB rule requiring an ongoing renovation to stop when Ghost Month begins. However, homeowners who observe Seventh Month traditions may have their own preferences about which works should continue.
Can I move into my new home during Ghost Month?
No regulation prevents you from doing so. However, avoiding moving house during the Seventh Month is among the traditional superstitions documented by Singapore's National Heritage Board.
Should I tell my interior designer if my family observes Ghost Month?
Yes. If your household wants to avoid certain dates, hacking works or moving in during the Seventh Month, discuss this before the renovation timeline is finalised. This gives your interior designer more room to schedule the project around those preferences.
