Just collected the keys to your new home? Are you not sure what to expect when your house is being renovated? I’ve prepared a handy little guide to run you through the rough process of a home makeover!
This article features an actual renovation project by our friends at re.design. For some context, the completed unit featured is a 4 room resale HDB flat, and there were fairly extensive works done to revamp the kitchen, bathrooms, as well as to the flooring and the creation of an additional room.
P.S. Some of the photos in this article aren’t great – they were originally meant to update the home owner about the project status.
Step 1 – Hacking
Literally as the header says. This phase of the project requires the appointed contractor to remove any finishing and/or fittings that isn’t needed in the renovation process. For resale flats, this usually entails the complete removal of the floor and wall finishings in the kitchen and bathrooms, as well as the existing carpentry already fitted to the house in question.
Side note – if you own a new HDB BTO, you are not allowed to demolish/damage the wall and floor finishings of the bathrooms and the kitchen for the first three years of ownership.
Step 2 – Tiling
Bathrooms and sometimes even kitchens are waterproofed. These surfaces are then tiled over, typically using homogeneous tiles as they are durable and affordable.
If vinyl is the selected material of choice, usually applied to the living and bedroom areas, the floor is properly screeded and levelled to prepare for installation.
Step 3 – “Making Good”
Wall surfaces are made smooth, and partition walls are erected where necessary as per the 3D design communicated to your contractors. Wiring and aircon piping will usually be run either slightly before or after this phase.
Plumbing works can also commence at this phase. Also, do expect the final fan coil units and switch faces to not be fitted at this stage. They are usually only installed after the painting is complete.
Step 4 – Painting
Sealer is first applied to ensure the final colour coat properly adheres to the surfaces. This process can take up to a day depending on the size of your home.
The final colour coat is then applied to the walls and ceiling. But this isn’t the end of your painting process yet – painters usually make a second ‘touch-up’ trip after you move in. This ensures all the scuffs caused by your movers are thoroughly covered.
Step 5 – Carpentry
Your carpenter will typically measure for your cabinets right before the painting phase and after all your wires are properly run. This makes for the best overall accuracy, and allows the fabricators to remain faithful to the agreed upon concept.
It’d take up to two weeks from the initial measurement to the start of the carpentry install. For most HDB apartments, installation is usually a two day process, where skilled workers carefully piece together individual modules.
With everything fitted, the countertop and backsplash can then be measured for. Expect to wait another week before these items are delivered and installed.
Step 6 – Finishing Touches
Lights, fans and aircon fan coil units are fitted. All other miscellaneous fittings will be installed, before the professional cleaners are called down to rid the unit of renovation debris and/or any tough stains left over.
Just A General Overview
There are items that have been left out in this article in the interest of keeping it concise, though critically, the bulk of the major works have been mentioned.
Other works include gas pipe runs and the fitment of the basins/toilet bowls which are usually done right after tiling, and perhaps window and door works, which are to be done fairly early on in the renovation.
These are the works you’d typically find in a general renovation. Each project, home and contractor workflow is different, so do not be surprised if your experience varies.
Renovated your home recent? How was your experience like? Do comment below – I’d love to hear your stories!
You May Be Interested In: Built-In Cabinets – Yes or No?
