What is a kitchen renovation going to cost you? Do I need to reno my kitchen? Why is there such a difference between renovating a resale HDB kitchen compared to a BTO? These are very common concerns among homeowners in Singapore. Whether you want to redo your entire kitchen or renovate it in parts, you must know the details of what you are going to be spending on. Our guide is here to help you navigate.

Before you begin, do you need to renovate your kitchen? 

Let’s look at this objectively, whilst you might like an upgrade to your kitchen, it will cost you your hard-earned money and time to do it. Most kitchens will last at least 10 years before starting to look worn or are in need of a refresh. Having said that, a well-maintained kitchen can last 20 years. If a kitchen is only used for light cooking, for example, you may not actually need to renovate it right away. 

You should also look at other factors such as whether the kitchen needs to be refurbished.

• Are the tiles in good condition or are they chipped or worse hollow?

• Are any of the cabinet door hinges rusting or hanging loose and beyond repair?

• Is the grout in good condition or is it discoloured or missing or cracked? 

• What is the condition of the countertop? Are they stained or cracked from use?

• Is the piping in good condition or are there leaks? Remember leaks from piping can seep into your cabinets causing them to literally rot off the wall.

So maybe you have identified that there are some structural issues that renovating your kitchen would solve. The next question to ask, is are you going to do a full renovation, i.e. rip everything out and start again? Or would a partial renovation be sufficient e.g. just replacing the cabinet doors? 

In order to decide what best meets your needs, it’s a good idea to sit down and look at what works and what doesn’t about your current kitchen. This is a great time to decide if the layout that you have suits your lifestyle or whether it’s better to start from scratch and layout the kitchen in a different way. 

If you do decide to do a full kitchen revamp, obviously the costs will be higher to do this. Hacking out the old kitchen, replacing all the cabinetry and potentially changing the layout is a big undertaking which of course has costs attached to it. 

What factors determine the ultimate cost of your kitchen renovation? 

1. Space to be renovated.

The space to be renovated will determine the cost. Since the factors differentiate depending on the type of space to be renovated, the cost of renovation will also vary as well. 

2. Home Type.

The kitchen renovation costs of condo units, HDB units and landed properties can differ wildly. The layouts of private homes can vary wildly, therefore the costs can go up. 

3. Material used.

The type of material used in renovation hugely affects the cost of renovation. For instance, if you want to use unique, rare and expensive materials to renovate your kitchen, you should be well prepared to pay for this. Shop around to find materials that suit your style and your budget.

4. Where you buy from. 

We live in a free economic market, meaning that it’s up to the seller to determine the price. Whilst some companies will offer packages (more on that later), others will offer the same materials at a higher price. Always try to negotiate if you find the materials that you want but it’s outside of the budget you had set aside and needless to say, it pays to spend some time shopping around to compare pricing. 

5. The company you work with.

The contractor you choose to do your kitchen renovation will largely impact your renovation cost. If you choose a well experienced and established contractor, you will definitely pay him/her more for the service. Likewise, if you select a contractor who is not well experienced and established chances are that you will pay him/her less for his/her services. The contractor will be the one to tell you how much material you need to buy for renovation purposes.

6. How hands-on you are.

If you are planning to do a minor kitchen renovation, you can actually save more money if you do some of the work by yourself. Some simple work like replacing countertops or painting kitchen cabinets can actually be done on a weekend do–it–yourself. This of course all depends on whether you have the skills and can source the materials. 

So, how much does a kitchen renovation cost?

The total cost and estimated budget of a kitchen renovation in Singapore are usually around $ 10,000 – $ 15,000. depending on the process. If you want to find a cheaper one, you can choose a carpentry renovation project. It usually only costs about $ 5,000.

Tips to bring down the cost of kitchen renovation

While there are many ways to save money on kitchen renovation, here are some quick pointers:

• Save up on materials: Of course, opting for budgeted materials for the countertop and backsplash will go a long way in reducing the overall cost of renovation.

• Carpentry designs: Choosing a relatively simpler design for carpentry is a great way to skimp on the budget. It does not need to look boring but just needs to be less complex.

• Tile work: Save up on a huge cost by simply overlaying tiles instead of completely hacking and installing new ones.

• Reconfigure current kitchen cabinets: In some cases, you can update your kitchen cabinets yourself:

• Repair damaged parts by laminating them.

• Replaced more modern hinges, pulls, and knobs.

• Add lighting under the cabinet or over the cabinet.

• Install slide racks on the inside of cabinets and other storage systems.

• Repainting and changing the outer appearance of the cabinet.

Finally: Beware the Kitchen Package.

Many contractors and even interior design companies offer renovation packages that bundle accessories, materials, design and labour costs. These deals might be attractive if the items included are brand name fittings and accessories like Blum. On their own, branded items can be quite costly.

It’s worth noting that packages have a very specific scope of work and materials. Some renovation companies might put a limit on for example the size of countertops that is included or not be clear on the materials that they plan to use. Generally, if you deviate from what’s included in the package, you most likely have to top up to do so. Be sure to get a comprehensive itemised quote if you are considering a kitchen renovation package to avoid disappointment.

Consider taking up a package deal if the terms of the contract make the most sense for your budget and for your needs. Spend the time to determine your exact needs, shop around and get multiple quotes before you decide.