Renovating a home can feel like watching paint dry, only noisier. Many homeowners begin with dreams of a perfect space, but reality often includes delays, dust, and dodgy deadlines. This article unpacks how long a home renovation really takes and what you can do to stay on schedule.
Factors That Affect Renovation Timelines
Size, Scope, and Structure
If you’re working with a standard four-room BTO flat, expect around eight to twelve weeks for a complete makeover. Smaller projects, like a kitchen or bathroom revamp, might wrap up in four to six weeks. Larger homes or landed properties can stretch beyond three months, especially if structural works or rewiring are needed.
One common hiccup is the mismatch between expectations and actual labour time. The timeline depends heavily on whether you’re doing a full overhaul or just surface-level upgrades. BTO interior design tends to take less time than renovations involving old resale flats that need hacking, plumbing, or rewiring.
Waiting for Permits and Materials
In Singapore, many renovation steps require approval from authorities. Waiting for permits, deliveries, and contractor availability can slow things down. Even the most efficient interior design consultancy in Singapore can’t dodge HDB processing times or global shipping delays. Custom fixtures or imported materials might take weeks to arrive.
What to Expect from Each Phase
The Planning Stage
This is where time really slips. Before a single wall gets painted, there’s design consultation, budgeting, sourcing, and paperwork. Firms offering interior design in Singapore for residential projects usually spend two to four weeks just planning. Rushing this phase might save time upfront, but it often leads to mistakes during execution.
Demolition and Structural Works
The first on-site phase usually involves hacking, electrical rerouting, and plumbing. This takes one to two weeks for most flats. Noise restrictions and debris removal add more time. Be prepared to live with dust and noise while the skeleton of your new space takes shape.
Carpentry, Painting, and Final Touches
Once the bones are ready, it’s time for fittings. Cabinetry, flooring, painting, and lighting installation usually take up the bulk of the timeline. Interior design consultancy in Singapore often advises spreading these works to avoid clashes between teams. This phase can take up to four weeks, depending on the complexity and materials used.
Inspection and Handover
Don’t pop the champagne just yet. A good firm will include a final round of checks. This can take a few days to a week, especially if touch-ups are needed. From alignment of cabinets to testing electrical outlets, the devil’s in the details.
BTO Renovations: A Closer Look
Faster, But Not Always Easier
BTO interior design projects have some timing advantages. The flats come bare, with fewer existing fittings to remove. This cuts demolition time. However, the trade-off is that everything must be built from scratch. Flooring, lighting, kitchen, wardrobes, the list is long.
Still, because BTO flats follow standard layouts, experienced teams can often streamline the process. Most interior design in Singapore for residential BTO units follows tried-and-tested methods that reduce errors and delays.
How to Keep the Timeline on Track
Communication is Key
Homeowners often get tripped up by miscommunication. Agree on a clear schedule with your renovation team. A reliable interior design consultancy in Singapore will provide a detailed timeline with milestones. Regular updates and site visits help catch issues early.
Make Decisions Early
Late decisions cause late deliveries. Confirm materials, colours, and designs as early as possible. Changing your mind mid-way may not just cost more, it could stall the project.
Trust the Process
Some delays are unavoidable. Wet weather, unavailable stock, or manpower shortages can slow progress. Stay patient, but don’t hesitate to raise concerns if work grinds to a halt without explanation.
Stay on Schedule Without Losing Your Cool
A well-timed renovation requires planning, patience, and the right people. Know what to expect and stay involved without micromanaging. That’s how you beat timeline trouble without losing your sanity.
Contact MYD Pleasant Home Design to keep your home renovation on track from the first sketch to the final switch.