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HDB Kitchen Renovation Cost and Open Concept Kitchen Rules (2026)
What an HDB kitchen renovation costs in 2026, cabinet and countertop prices, and HDB's rules for hacking the kitchen wall into an open concept kitchen.
- A typical HDB laminate kitchen costs about $5,000 to $6,500 in 2026, before hacking or re-tiling.
- An open concept kitchen needs an HDB permit to hack the wall, and structural walls cannot go.
- Gas pipes cannot be embedded in walls or floors, enclosed in a false ceiling, or run into sleeping areas.
Homey Furnishing 3 min read A typical HDB kitchen renovation with laminate cabinets costs about $5,000 to $6,500 in 2026, before any hacking or re-tiling. Going open concept adds wall hacking, which always needs an HDB permit. And if your kitchen has piped gas, there are extra rules about where the gas pipes can go.
HDB kitchen renovation cost (2026)
These are typical Singapore ranges. Your quote depends on the kitchen length, materials and how much is hacked.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets, top and bottom | About $180 to $360 per foot run |
| Quartz countertop | About $120 to $180 per foot |
| Sintered stone countertop | About $220 to $380 per foot |
| Typical HDB laminate kitchen (cabinets and countertop) | About $5,000 to $6,500 |
| Dismantling the old kitchen | About $500 to $900 |
| Hacking kitchen wall tiles | About $400 to $700 per wall area |
| Removing a partition wall for an open kitchen | About $550 to $1,300, plus debris disposal |
Get a range for the hacking and dismantling part with our hacking cost calculator.
Open concept kitchen in an HDB flat: the rules
Hacking the kitchen wall needs a permit. Any demolition of walls, partial or complete, needs HDB's prior written approval. Your DRC contractor applies with the floor plan. Structural walls cannot be removed under any circumstances, so check the plan first with our Can I hack this wall? checker.
Gas pipes have their own rules. HDB's gas works guidelines say:
- Gas pipes must not be embedded in floor screed or in common partition walls.
- The gas riser and the branch pipe before the sub-meter must not be tampered with.
- An enclosed gas riser needs a fully ventilated, removable access panel.
- Gas pipes must not be enclosed in a false ceiling.
- Spaces with gas pipes cannot be converted into bedrooms, and gas pipes or appliances are not allowed in sleeping areas.
- Moving the gas meter must be done by City Energy, and gas works by an EMA licensed gas service worker.
Small flats need a wall. Where the kitchen adjoins a sleeping area, as in some 2-room Flexi flats, a full-height wall with a door is required.
Other HDB kitchen rules worth knowing
- Countertops need no permit, but the base and tiles must not exceed 50mm, and concrete shelves are not allowed.
- Exhaust fans are only allowed in bathrooms, not in the kitchen or yard. Use a cooker hood instead.
- Extending the kitchen into the yard without removing walls needs no permit.
- A ceiling drying rack in the kitchen or yard needs no permit. See our laundry drying rack installation.
- Noisy works like hacking run only on weekdays from 9am to 5pm. Our HDB renovation permit guide has the full rules.
Ways to cut the kitchen budget
- Keep the layout. Moving the sink, hob or gas point adds plumbing and gas work.
- Overlay instead of hacking tiles where the existing tiles are sound.
- Mix countertop materials. Use sintered stone or quartz only where you cook.
- Fix before you replace. Drooping cabinet doors and worn hinges can often be repaired. See handyman services.
FAQ
How much does an HDB kitchen renovation cost? A typical laminate kitchen with cabinets and countertop is about $5,000 to $6,500 in 2026. Hacking, tiling, plumbing and premium countertops add to that.
Can I hack my HDB kitchen wall for an open concept kitchen? Only if the wall is not structural and HDB approves the permit, which your DRC contractor applies for. Gas pipe rules still apply.
Can I have an open kitchen with piped gas in an HDB flat? Yes in many layouts, but gas pipes cannot be embedded in walls or floors, enclosed in a false ceiling, or run into sleeping areas. Gas works must be done by a licensed gas service worker.
Do I need a permit to replace kitchen cabinets? No permit is needed for cabinets and countertops, but hacking walls or replacing floor tiles does need one.
Sources: HDB Renovation Guidelines (Building Works; Electrical Works; Water and Sanitary Plumbing Works and Gas Works), checked 21 October 2026. Cabinet and countertop prices are from a 2026 Singapore kitchen cost guide (smartcalculator.sg) and HomeySG market rates.