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The Idea of Partially FurnishedEver thought that Condos in Singapore being furnished with Air Conditioners, wardrobes, Kitchen Cabinet, Vanity cabinets and a host of other built ins would cost lesser to renovate? We find out if this is true. It&#39;s More Than Meets the Eye<img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1709310462669-Singapore+Condo+Renovation+Cost+Forecast+2024_01.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">New condo for sale at Hillhaven comes with smart kitchen appliances such as a cooker hood and hob, and a built-in oven. Image source:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hillhaven.com.sg/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid-search&utm_campaign=RS-Hillhaven-Search-Generic&utm_content=RS-Hillhaven-Generic-New-Launch&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAloavBhBOEiwAbtAJO6QgOjG_W6jaUnGtD1Z0rbaY1-_hQCiPlvexg76RsWo2SSe419iJUxoC0U8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hillhaven, Far East Organisation Singapore</a> Singapore&#39;s condominium market often attracts homeowners who are looking for a degree of convenience and luxury. Many condos in Singapore come &quot;partially furnished,&quot; meaning that developers often include built-in features such as kitchen cabinets, bathroom fittings, cabinetry, and built-in wardrobes in bedrooms. These inclusions can affect how homeowners&rsquo; budget for their new home. Homebuyers might feel that they can allocate a lower budget for furnishing their condos because these features are already provided. This could save them significant amounts on purchasing and installing these items themselves. For instance, custom kitchen cabinets and wardrobes can be major expenses in a home and having these included as part of the property purchase can be financially beneficial. Unseen Factors<img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1709310559941-Singapore+Condo+Renovation+Cost+Forecast+2024_02.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">However, it&#39;s essential for homeowners to consider other potential costs that may not be covered by the developer&#39;s provisions. This might include appliances, additional furniture, decorative elements, and any upgrades or personal customizations they desire. We have curated a list of considerations that may change your perceptions of why Condo renovation may end up costing more. 1.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Higher Ceiling<img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1709310585722-Singapore+Condo+Renovation+Cost+Forecast+2024_03.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Most HDB flats are about 2.6m high whereas a typical condo is 2.9m. This extra height means that customised fixtures like cabinets or wall feature needs to be higher than their HDB counterpart. In most cases, the commonly used carpentry laminate is 2.4m in height, which means pricey, special orders need to be placed if you want a seamless tall, laminated fixture.&nbsp; 2.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Working Hours are ShorterIn most Condos, strict adherence to the working hours must be always maintained. This is to avoid complains from neighbours, high peak traffic timing and avoidance of incidences. In comparison, as HDB does not have a security or MCST management officer roaming the estate, chasing the contractors to stop work, the lax environment allows for faster, less noisy, or extended work behind closed doors. Ultimately, this means that the condo&rsquo;s renovation will be protracted and takes longer to complete. 3.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Breaking the Mould<img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1709310625100-Singapore+Condo+Renovation+Cost+Forecast+2024_05.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Customise TV feature wall that comes with storages. (Image source:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sixides.com/spaces/view/cyid-blk-517e-jurong-west-st-52" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cheng Yi Interior Design</a>) Since all condos come fitted with standard and repetitive fittings, most homeowners would want to have unique customisation done to stand out from their neighbours. The typical customised carpentry would include TV feature wall, Dining feature walls, customised false ceiling. In conjunction with the prestige attached to staying in a condo, most customisation will include the use of more expensive materials and fittings like branded hardware.&nbsp; 4.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Smaller Space Needs More Innovation<img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1709310685492-Singapore+Condo+Renovation+Cost+Forecast+2024_04.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Foldable wall bed design in a one-bedroom condo. (Image source:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sixides.com/spaces/view/yang-eco" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Yang&#39;s Inspiration Design</a>) Ironically, the condos seemed to have smaller floor space as opposed to their HDB counterparts. As such the designers need to have more innovative approaches to increase the mileage of customised furniture in the apartment. This could include a desk that can be transformed into a bed, or a wardrobe that has a hidden study desk, suffice to say, all these features will cost more to design and build. 5.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Management Has An Eye on YouBesides the security eyeing the contractors like a hawk for noise disturbances, there are also strict building guidelines to adhere to for the renovation to be carried out. This could include professional engineer endorsements for hacking of walls, a hefty renovation deposit, the rental of lift protection daily for delivery and disposal, insurance for public liability and others. HDB has a process too, but it has in place their HDB licensed contractor system, which ensures that the work will be compliant to their rules, whereas a private apartment does not have this and will need to rely on their own house rules to ensure the renovation is compliant. Eventually the costs will be added back into the overall renovation sum. Cheaper or Not?The convenience of moving into a condo that already has essential fixtures in place is a compelling selling point for many condo developments in Singapore, making them appealing to a wide range of potential buyers, from first-time homeowners to property investors. This is exactly one of the major reasons why many will expect the renovation costs and budgeting to be lower. However, there is always a caveat, customisation will cost more, innovation can cost more. In most cases, condo owners will accept that since their property costs more, it is acceptable that their renovation will costs more. Nevertheless, it helps to know the above ways and you can decide how you can lower your renovation budget by optimising and discussing with your interior designer in advance. Posted on 1st March 2024 Written by the DesignerdSIXIDES Editorial Team

Explore the 2024 renovation budget forecast for condos in Singapore. Discover the impact of 'partially furnished' units on renovation costs. Uncover unseen factors such as higher ceilings, shorter working hours, unique customizations, innovative design challenges, and strict management guidelines. Find out if condo living truly translates to a cheaper renovation or if customization and innovation lead to additional costs.

Singapore 2024 Renovation budget – Condo Renovation Cost Forecast

Getting away with renovation for $30,000 or less<span id="isPasted" style="font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 24px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;"> You&#39;ve been scrimping, scraping, and saving for the renovation of your dream home for a bit now. Maybe longer than a bit. But long enough. That said, how much IS enough? The honest truth is that at the bare minimum, probably about $40,000 whether or not you&#39;re working with a BTO HDB flat or resale HDB flat. However, with a little bit of homework, patience, and ingenuity, you could probably get away with $30,000. Lets get thrifty! <img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1639018494653-serious-asian-husband-checking-analyzing-statement-utilities-bills-sitting-together-home.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> <h1 style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:3.0pt;margin-left:0cm;font-size:21px;font-family:"Cambria",serif;'>1. Don&#39;t Budge the Budget</h1>Budget is not about being cheap. It&rsquo;s knowing how much you can afford to spend. Since we&rsquo;ve already established a $30,000 ceiling, let&rsquo;s stick with that. No squeezing in a little extra for that fancy cabinet you saw just the other day. If you get all loosey goosey with the cash, your spending will easily get out of hand real quick. Remember, you need to budget 10% just in case of unpleasant surprises. Can&rsquo;t budget you say? Do a trial run with your daily meals. Start at $20 a day. You&rsquo;ll be surprised how quickly you get at controlling yourself.&nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1639017662545-1639017662545.jpeg" class="fr-fil fr-dib" style="width: 100%; height: 100%;"><h1 style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:3.0pt;margin-left:0cm;font-size:21px;font-family:"Cambria",serif;'>2. To DIY, or not to DIY</h1>You could be good with a little DIY. Heck, you might even be awesome at it. Hold your horses though! Singapore&rsquo;s got a whole slew of building and renovation laws; break the law, and you&rsquo;ll break the bank. Better off leaving it to the pros who do it for a living.&nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1639017662573-1639017662573.jpeg" class="fr-fil fr-dib" style="width: 100%; height: 100%;"><h1 style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:3.0pt;margin-left:0cm;font-size:21px;font-family:"Cambria",serif;'>3. Carpentry Schmarpentry</h1>Sure, they squeeze every last centimeter of space into use but at what cost? Just the kitchen alone will set you back $3,000. Five-foot wardrobe; $1,000. Add sliding doors? $1,300. TV console and feature wall; $1,600. You get the idea. Built-ins are budget-killers. Or are they? Don&rsquo;t be afraid to work with your carpenter on what he can or can&rsquo;t do with the budget. If all else fails, open shelving in the kitchen and loose furniture elsewhere are great options too. &nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1639017662594-1639017662594.jpeg" class="fr-fil fr-dib" style="width: 100%; height: 100%;"><h1 style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:3.0pt;margin-left:0cm;font-size:21px;font-family:"Cambria",serif;'>4. (Don&rsquo;t) Hit the Floor</h1>If carpentry sounded bad, this one will really floor you (pun intended). In the world of renovations, this will single-handedly eat most of your budget up. Most flooring will set you back $10,000; a third of our humble $30,000 budget. The answer: vinyl flooring. It&rsquo;s half the price. Or better still, if you got a BTO HDB unit, just work with the existing floor. This costs nothing, and you can spend the extra cash elsewhere.&nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1639017662617-1639017662617.jpeg" class="fr-fil fr-dib" style="width: 100%; height: 100%;"><h1 style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:3.0pt;margin-left:0cm;font-size:21px;font-family:"Cambria",serif;'>5. Keep the Same Footprint</h1>Embarking on a renovation doesn&rsquo;t mean you&rsquo;ve got to change EVERYTHING. Keep the footprint of the home the same, and you could be in for huge savings. The more you hack, the more needs to be rebuilt. And hacking starts at $2,000. Moving the pipes just an inch will spell thousands of dollars in workmanship, materials, and permits. Not to mention that the more big things you move around, the bigger the chance you&rsquo;ll get an unpleasant surprise that&rsquo;ll add to the cost.<h1 style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:3.0pt;margin-left:0cm;font-size:21px;font-family:"Cambria",serif;'>6. Material Swap</h1>Getting creative with material needs could be more worthwhile than you think. I mean, seriously, do you really need marble to get that classic kopitiam tabletop look? Laminate would look and work all the same. Collaborate with your designer, share your ideas, and you might surprise each other with solutions to the problem. Who knows? You may even discover some use for recycled or second-hand materials to get what you need. But cheaper! &nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sixides-us/uploads%2F1639017662638-1639017662638.jpeg" class="fr-fil fr-dib" style="width: 100%; height: 100%;"><h1 style='margin-top:12.0pt;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:3.0pt;margin-left:0cm;font-size:21px;font-family:"Cambria",serif;'>Conclusion</h1>If nothing else, remember one thing: just because you can, doesn&rsquo;t mean you should. Renovations can still transform homes with minimal large-scale changes. Sometimes, it&rsquo;s the little things that make the biggest splashes.&nbsp;

Youve been scrimping, scraping, and saving for the renovation of your dream home for a bit now. Maybe longer than a bit. But long enough...

Renovation on a Budget

Budget