Kitchen Renovation Budget Singapore: What You Really Pay in 2026
Please note: Costs, loan amounts, tenures and timelines mentioned here are indicative estimates based on publicly available information at the time of writing. Your actual figures depend on the licensed lender's assessment of your profile and prevailing MAS rules.
A kitchen renovation in Singapore is usually the single biggest line item in the whole budget — often 30–45% of the total spend. This guide breaks the number down honestly: what cabinets, countertops and appliances actually cost in 2026, where homeowners overspend, and how to trim without regret.
Key takeaways
- A standard HDB kitchen typically costs S$8,000–S$18,000 for carpentry alone.
- Quartz countertops are the most popular choice and cost roughly S$110–S$180 per foot run installed.
- Appliances (hob, hood, oven, fridge) commonly add S$3,000–S$7,000 for mid-range brands.
- The biggest overspend is usually 'nice-to-have' tall unit carpentry — plan storage by what you actually own.
How kitchen renovation costs are quoted
Carpenters in Singapore usually quote base and tall cabinets by 'foot run' (linear feet). A typical HDB kitchen has 10–14 feet run of base cabinets and 8–12 feet run of top cabinets.
Tiling, plumbing, electrical and demolition are quoted separately. Appliances are almost always excluded from the contractor quote.
Where homeowners overspend
Custom tall units, glass wine cabinets and pull-out spice racks look great on Instagram but often add S$2,000–S$4,000 with limited daily use. Stick to the storage you'll genuinely use and put savings toward better appliances that you use every day.
Premium sintered-stone countertops and imported porcelain slabs can double the countertop budget without a proportional daily benefit.
Helpful next steps
Indicative kitchen renovation costs (2026)
| Item | Budget range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base cabinets (per foot run) | S$180–S$320 | Laminate finish; premium finishes cost more |
| Top cabinets (per foot run) | S$150–S$260 | Slightly lower than base cabinets |
| Quartz countertop (installed) | S$110–S$180 per ft | Includes edge profiling and installation |
| Sintered stone countertop | S$180–S$320 per ft | Premium; more heat-resistant |
| Tiling (wall + floor) | S$1,800–S$3,500 | Varies with tile grade |
| Plumbing rework | S$500–S$1,500 | More if relocating sink or pipes |
| Electrical rework | S$400–S$1,200 | Adding sockets and lighting circuits |
| Hob + hood + oven + fridge | S$3,000–S$7,000 | Mid-range brands |
Cabinet finishes at a glance
| Finish | Look | Durability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melamine laminate | Wide range of designs | Good; scratch-resistant | Most affordable |
| Acrylic | Glossy, seamless | Prone to fingerprints | Mid to high |
| Fenix / anti-fingerprint | Matte, premium | Very durable, self-healing | High |
| Solid timber veneer | Warm, natural | Sensitive to humidity | Highest |
Step-by-step
- 1
Map your daily flow
Note where you chop, wash and cook. Design cabinets around this — not around Pinterest boards.
- 2
Get 3 itemised carpentry quotes
Compare per-foot-run pricing, hinge brand and drawer runner brand (Blum, Hettich, Hafele all differ).
- 3
Pick countertop material by usage
Quartz is the best all-round choice. Sintered stone only pays off if you cook heavily with high heat.
- 4
Order appliances early
Some models have 4–8 week lead times. Delays here stall the entire renovation.
- 5
Reserve 10% for surprises
Concealed pipe repositioning and additional sockets are the most common variations.
Real Singapore examples
Compact 4-room BTO kitchen
A couple spent S$12,800 on carpentry (12 ft base, 10 ft top), S$1,800 on a quartz countertop and S$5,200 on appliances. Total S$19,800 — realistic mid-range.
5-room resale open-concept kitchen
An owner spent S$24,500 including an island counter with sintered-stone top, tall pantry units and premium hob/hood combo. They saved S$2,000 by keeping the existing floor tiles.
Examples are illustrative only and may not reflect your individual outcome.
Try the repayment calculator
Adjust the amount, tenure and monthly interest rate to see an indicative repayment. Actual figures depend on the lender's assessment.
Estimate your monthly repayment
Based on reducing balance interest — an indicative estimate only.
Amount
$20,000
Rate
2.0%/month
Tenure
1 year (12 months)
Estimated monthly repayment
$1,891
Loan amount
$20,000
Total interest
$2,694
Interest is calculated on the remaining outstanding balance each month. As the balance reduces, the interest portion decreases and the principal portion increases.
This calculator provides an estimate based on reducing balance interest using a monthly rate commonly quoted by moneylenders in Singapore. Actual repayment may vary depending on lender terms.
Frequently asked questions
OneCompare is a licensed comparison and referral service. Figures shown are indicative and depend on lender assessment — no approval is guaranteed. Compare offers, apply when you're ready, or chat with our team on WhatsApp.
Loan approval, loan amount and terms are subject to the lender's assessment and applicable requirements.
Reviewed by the OneCompare Editorial Team
Our editors cross-check every article against Singapore's Moneylenders Act, MAS advisories and Ministry of Law guidance. Articles are refreshed on a rolling schedule so figures and rules stay current — if you spot anything out of date, please let us know.