HDB Renovation Permits and Rules: What Needs Approval

The golden rule: use an HDB-registered contractor

Renovation works in HDB flats must be carried out by contractors listed on HDB's Directory of Renovation Contractors (DRC). The registered contractor is also the party who applies for renovation permits on your behalf and is answerable for compliance.

PRDT is an HDB-licensed renovation contractor — permit applications are part of the job, not your problem to figure out alone.

Works that typically require an HDB permit

Expect a permit application (submitted by your contractor) for works such as:

• •Hacking or demolishing walls — and structural walls cannot be hacked at all
• •Replacing floor finishes that involve hacking of existing floors
• •Bathroom and toilet works involving hacking of walls or floor (note: new BTO bathrooms have a waterproofing-related restriction period — confirm the current rule for your project)
• •Relocating or altering plumbing and sanitary installations
• •Window replacement or alteration — which must also follow HDB's approved window designs for your block

Works that generally do not need a permit

Lighter works are typically permissible without a permit when done by a registered contractor, for example:

• •Painting and wallpapering
• •Built-in carpentry (wardrobes, kitchen cabinets) that doesn't alter the building structure
• •Laying floor finishes over existing floors without hacking
• •Replacing sanitary fittings in the same position
• •Installing lighting, fans, and most electrical fittings via licensed workers

Rules that shape your renovation schedule

Beyond what you may build, HDB also regulates how and when works happen:

• •Noisy works are restricted to weekday working hours, with tighter limits on hacking days — your contractor plans the schedule around these windows
• •There is a time limit for completing renovation works after permit approval (historically about one month for noisy works in occupied blocks — confirm current rules)
• •Neighbour notification is expected before works start
• •Debris must be removed properly — your contractor's haulage arrangements matter

What happens if rules are breached

Unauthorised works can lead to enforcement: reinstatement at the flat owner's cost, and consequences for the contractor's registration. Since the owner bears reinstatement, the practical protection is simple — work with a registered contractor, insist permits are obtained before hacking starts, and keep copies of approvals.

If a contractor suggests skipping a permit 'to save time', treat that as a red flag about everything else in the project too.