Start with a scope list, not a blanket permit assumption
List each proposed change by room: walls, floor removal, new finishes, plumbing, electrical points, windows and air-conditioning. Ask the appointed contractor to check each item against the flat’s requirements. A permit for one item does not authorise a different change added later.
| Proposed work | Starting position | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Wall demolition or new openings | Approval and feasibility review first | Exact wall, proposed opening and supporting documentation; see the wall guide. |
| Replacing tile finishes | Check the applicable HDB permit category | Removal, substrate work, room and block-specific restrictions. |
| Surface work without demolition | May be permit-exempt, with conditions | The complete preparation and installation scope, not just the material name. |
| Electrical, plumbing or air-conditioning | Trade-specific rules also apply | Licensed or trained trade, loading, routes and any separate submission. |
Use HDB’s work-by-work building guidance for the applicable category; this table is a planning aid, not permission to proceed.
Who submits, and who remains responsible?
Under HDB’s owner responsibilities, appointing an interior designer does not remove the owner’s responsibility for compliant renovation. The DRC requirement also applies to renovation work that does not need a permit.
The HDB permit application guidance requires the renovation contractor to submit the proposed works with the flat’s floor plan. Agree who obtains the drawings, who checks the submission and who communicates approval conditions. Keep the approved version with the contract scope.
Separate the contractor, QP and licensed trades
- The appointed HDB-registered contractor handles the HDB renovation scope and permit responsibilities agreed for the project.
- Where HDB requires a Qualified Person (QP), obtain the relevant professional’s assessment and submission; a contractor’s visual opinion is not a structural endorsement.
- An EMA Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW) handles or supervises electrical work. Confirm any loading and supply requirements with that worker.
- HDB identifies BCA-trained installers for air-conditioner installation. Check routes and installation conditions before closing ceilings or boxing.
- For regulated water-service and sanitary work, engage a PUB Licensed Plumber. A renovation permit does not substitute for trade requirements.
See HDB’s role boundaries, EMA and PUB.
A practical permit workflow
- Agree the intended layout and a room-by-room scope, separating retained items from new work.
- Identify the DRC contractor and any required professional or licensed trade.
- Prepare the proposed-work drawing and obtain the required approvals before the affected work.
- Read the issued conditions together: scope, permitted dates, work hours and required notices.
- If the scope changes, check whether revised permission is needed before instructing the change.
- Retain the approvals, revisions and relevant completion records for handover.
Plan around permitted work windows
HDB’s general conditions set completion windows from permit grant: one month for existing blocks and three months for newly completed blocks. These are regulatory windows, not promises about design-to-move-in duration. Restricted noisy work, such as hacking and tile cutting, is limited to 9am–5pm on weekdays; the contractor must also check holiday exclusions, the approved work period and any additional issued conditions.
Do not commit to furniture delivery or a move-out date based on an assumed approval turnaround. Resolve materials, access and specialist availability in the project schedule and raise any delay affecting permission promptly.
What to bring to the first scope review
- A current floor plan with the desired changes marked clearly.
- A list of existing finishes and fixtures to retain, remove or replace.
- Questions about walls, wet areas and services that need on-site verification.
- Your intended possession and move-in dates, labelled as constraints rather than guaranteed construction dates.
Sources and scope
Guidance checked on 22 September 2026. Follow the linked authority guidance and the instructions for the products you select.