Renovating a house or business takes time and money. Often, people enter into these types of projects with unrealistic expectations about how fast it will be done. What often happens is that people get so caught up in the excitement of getting their lives back that they forget to factor in the time needed to do the actual renovation. And this can cause all kinds of problems like the renovation taking longer than expected, the budget being exceeded, there not being enough money to pay the bills or even worse… not being able to finish the project at all!
Why this question is important:
Renovating a house can be both fun and very profitable. However, many people who decide to renovate end up spending more than they planned and it ends up taking much longer than they anticipated. Why is this? Simply because they didn’t take the time to do it right the first time. By doing it right the first time, it will only take about 40% of the time it would otherwise take. And that means, they will be able to enjoy their new house sooner and they will also have a bigger profit at the end. So the question is…
How Long Does Renovation Take?
The answer is…
It Depends!
Breaking Down How Long it Takes to Renovate
There’s a certain flow to follow during a renovation. From juzinterior, Here’s a shortcut inforgaphic of a renovation process in Singapore. However, take note that the timeline is just an estimate.
Main factors that will affect your renovation timeline
Here are some of the main factors that will affect your renovation timeline and while you are taking down notes.
i. Type of Property
Most commonly, Singaporeans buy HDB flats. They’re very simple to buy – all you need to do is walk into any HDB building and apply for one. The process of getting a flat is very straightforward, and HDB-approved contractors would be familiar with the process, so that helps a lot.
If you want to do any renovations to your condo, you’ll need to coordinate with the Management Corporation who oversees your building. Some managements are more strict than others when it comes to permitting, and they may have different processes and paperwork that needs to be filled out. Depending on how quickly you get these permits approved, your timeline may be affected.
ii. Extent of Renovation
Homeowners with unrealistic expectations usually end up being disappointed when their project doesn’t turn out exactly as they expected. When that happens, it’s usually because the owner didn’t allocate enough time for the job. Clients with this mindset almost always ask for estimates that are too short on time.
Usually, the estimates are too low because the owners think it will only take a few hours per day. If that were true, the project would only take about 5 to 7 days to complete, not nearly 10. A good estimate takes into account all of the variables that go into a project. It is based on actual time, not wishful thinking. Larger-scale projects may take between four to six months.
iii. Unforeseen Circumstances
Unforeseen circumstances are the most common wrench thrown into the works of any renovation project. But how you deal with them goes a long way towards keeping your timeline as close to the original as possible.
It’s impossible to stop the passage of time. Whether you are buying a one-of-a-kind item, an affordable option or even a “bargain”, you need to know what to look for in terms of signs of aging and how to minimize their effects.
You should always be ready to anticipate and address any of these issues that could slow down your project, or even put it on hold. That’s where the real money is made in pre-selling; making sure you’ve got everything lined up and ready to go before you ever ask people to buy from you.
iv. Changes
It’s understandable that you might want to make changes — perhaps that colour you liked as a paint chip looks different when it’s magnified onto your wall or you realised that the bedroom looks too cramped with that built-in cupboard. Changes take time and money.
Making a change in the estimate of how long a project will take is one of the biggest changes you’ll have to make when making a change order. If you’re not ready for that, don’t make a change order. Instead, just inform the contractor you want to delay the start of work. Then do the math and see if the change order will still pay for itself. If it will, great! If it won’t, you’ve got a choice: Either live with it and hope the job gets done on time… or… decide not to make the change order. In any case, don’t make a change order unless you are 100% ready for it.
v. Renovation Period
Renovations should not be scheduled during festive periods. Instead, schedule them right after, or during non-festive times. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing your home will be livable while your house is being renovated.
Conclusion
“A good time-frame for us to finalise your design is about 4 to 6 weeks before we actually start renovating your kitchen. In addition, this allows you plenty of time to pick out all the little details, like the lighting, tile work, and all the other finishing touches that will make your new house your own.
There are many permutations to a renovation timeline but the key is to plan ahead and always provide buffer for any last-minute changes, unforeseen circumstances, or delays.
Where to stay during home renovation in Singapore
If you are planning a home renovation project, you need to know where to stay while the job is being done. This is especially true if you have small children or other family members who will be staying with you.
Thankfully, There are many wonderful short-term accommodation options available in Singapore for families. To help you find the perfect place to stay (however temporarily), we’ve put together a list of the family-friendliest serviced apartments or aparthotels available in the Lion City.
- Extended stay or long stay at hotels: Minimum 30-day stay
- Serviced apartments & co-living apartments: Minimum 1-month or 3-month stay
- Residential properties like HDB flats, HDB Executive Condominiums (EC), private condominiums and landed homes: Minimum 3-month or 6-month stay
In this short guide, I will share with you, top 5 recommendations for places to stay in Singapore during home renovation.
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Treetops Executive Residences
This is a luxury urban eco-retreat in the heart of the city. It’s located just around the corner from Orchard Road and the Botanical Gardens, and it has about 220 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Even the two-bedroom apartment can be comfortably occupied by a family of four.
There are so many family-friendly activities here it would be impossible to leave the hotel! Besides the large swimming pool, playground, on-roof tennis court and the fabulous café that serves all kinds of Singaporean hawker fare, there’s also a jogging track. Bring the whole family, and stay a week—you won’t want to leave!
How much from $267 per night for a 1-bedroom apartment
Where 7 Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258355
The Club Residences by Capella Singapore
Luxury at its best, these magnificent apartments at Club at Capella Singapore are uber-stylish, yet surprisingly kid- and pet-friendly. If money is no object, you can’t go wrong staying here. It’s a short drive from most of Sentosa’s attractions, and a five-minute shuttle ride from the shops and restaurants at VivoCity.
There’s a playground, a swimming pool, an Xbox Kinect, and fun monthly resident events for kids. The staff are all friendly, and there are even babysitting services available for when mum and dad need a night off.
How much from $753 per night for a 1-bedroom suite
Where 1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098297
Fraser Place Robertson Walk
Perfect for families with young kids, The Robertson Walk Apartments in downtown Louisville feature fully equipped kitchens, generous living spaces and balconies that overlook the river or courtyard. The apartment complex is kid-friendly and close to parks, restaurants, shopping, entertainment and other attractions.
Both parents and kids will be glad to know that there’s a soft play centre right next door. They’ll also enjoy the trendy dining and shopping scene of Robertson Quay, which is only a short walk away.
How much from $385 per night for a 1-bedroom apartment (minimum 7 nights)
Where 11 Unity Street, Singapore 237995
Great World Serviced Apartments
These serviced apartments are great for families who enjoy mingling and making new friends. They’re located right above Great World City shopping mall, and are only a short walk away from Robertson Quay and Orchard Road.
There are always plenty of fun activities for the entire family. The kids have their own separate play area, there’s an Olympic-size swimming pool, Jacuzzi and sauna and much, much more.
How much from $405 per night for a 2-bedroom apartment (minimum 7 nights)
Where 2 Kim Seng Walk, Singapore 239404
Winsland Serviced Suites by Lanson Place
These welcoming, family-friendly residences are ideal for fun and relaxation, which is why they are so close to Orchard Road. Its spacious suites with designs inspired by nature are bound to provide a relaxing stay after it has been renovated.
This high-rise building offers residents a rooftop pool, an indoor Jacuzzi, a computer room, a residents’ lounge and a daily newspaper delivery. If you’re ready for some fresh air, you can step out to the nearest Somerset MRT station and head down to the CBD.
How much from $318 per night for a 1-bedroom suite (minimum 7 nights)
Where 167 Penang Road, Singapore 238462