If you’re planning on renovating your 4-room BTO flat in 2025 and don’t know where to start, this article is for you. Whether you are all about sleek, modern spaces or have a maximalist approach to interior design, planning a renovation budget is the first step to achieving your dream home.
To help you make informed decisions, we’ll break down the cost of renovating a 4-room BTO flat and include examples of what type of renovation work you can achieve at various budgets.
4-room BTO flat renovation costs in 2025
Based on figures found on renovation platforms and interior design websites, you can expect the cost of renovating a 4-room BTO flat to range between $50k and $62k in 2025.
The 4-room BTO flat is the most popular HDB flat type. It offers a good compromise between cost and size; that’s also one reason why the supply of these are the largest. For couples who intend to live the Dual Income, No Kids (DINK) lifestyle, or have 1-2 children, a 4-room BTO flat of approximately 1,000sqft is a good-sized property to have.
Local ID firms have observed that those who own larger homes are gravitating towards using costlier materials, which drives up renovation costs. One reason is that compared to a 3-room BTO flat, a 4-room BTO flat is more likely to be seen as a forever home, which homeowners are more willing to invest in, since they’ll be staying there for the long run.
To give you a reference to what renovations at different price tags look like, we’ve curated a list of 4-room BTO renovation examples from Qanvast.
<$40k
4-room BTO flat in Plantation Grove: $11k
Image credit: Art Of Integrity Studio
You can give your home a makeover even on the tightest of budgets, and this Plantation Grove 4-room BTO flat designed by Art Of Integrity Studio is proof of that. To give off the effect of stone beams on the ceiling and a grainy texture on the door and walls, they used wallpaper instead of the more expensive lime wash paint.
The white porcelain tiles issued under the BTO Optional Component Scheme were retained, helping to cut reno costs. Since the owners opted for an open-plan space, the grey tiles help to separate the kitchen area from the living room space. The bathroom door and tiling remained unchanged, which further helped them save on renovation costs.
Image credit: Art Of Integrity Studio
The biggest expense in this renovation was probably the kitchen cabinets, bedroom wardrobes, and the false ceiling in the living room.
4-room BTO flat in Plantation Grange: $30k
Image credit: T&T Design Artisan
This stunning Plantation Grange 4-room BTO flat was designed by T&T Design Artisan for $30k in 2024. Instead of hacking and replacing the living room tiles, the homeowners of this contemporary Scandinavian home added a vinyl wood overlay. Loose furniture with interesting pops of colour and bold patterns jazz up the home.
Image credit: T&T Design Artisan
In the kitchen, the original HDB-issued floor tiling was kept, but the homeowners did splurge on the in-built carpentry and terrazzo countertop.
Image adapted from: T&T Design Artisan
While it’s likely they kept the BTO-issued grey tiles in the bathroom, the addition of a tall sink, freeform mirror, and textured glass shower divider switches things up.
4-room BTO flat in Rivervale Shores: $33k
Image credit: Prologue Studio
Using wallpaper on your feature wall is a great, cost-effective way to add art to, and create a focal point in your home. This Rivervale Shores 4-room BTO flat by Prologue Studio executes this design hack with a tropical rainforest backdrop in the living and dining room.
Tip: if you choose to have a focal wallpapered wall, you should try to keep the rest of the wall clean.
$41k to $55k
4-room BTO flat in Plantation Crescent: $42k
Image credit: Ethan Interiors
This wabi-sabi home in Plantation Crescent was designed by Ethan Interiors in 2024, where a combination of curved lines, neutral tones, and subtle textures come together to create an elegant and inviting living space.
Image credit: Ethan Interiors
The windows let in ample natural light, with ambient lighting illuminating the space when the sun sets.
Image credit: Ethan Interiors
The extent of work done in this BTO flat include extensive carpentry, plastering, cement flooring, hacking, tiling, electrical rewiring and lime wash painting. With a budget exceeding $41k, you’ll find that you don’t have to compromise too much on your desired design to cut costs.
4-room BTO flat in Clementi Avenue 6: $45k
Image credit: Charlotte’s Carpentry
Only two colours can be found in this minimalist Clementi Avenue 6 flat: white and light brown. If you are a fan of the fluted panelling look but want to reduce cost, opt for wider wooden slats instead of finer and more costly built-in panelling.
The carpentry, feature wall, hacking, tiling, false ceiling, electrical rewiring, plumbing, and painting works in this home were overseen by the team at Charlotte’s Carpentry.
Image credit: Charlotte’s Carpentry
One detail we especially like is the artificial LED skylight installed in the bathroom, which lends it a calming glow, rather than your usual lights. Plus, some of these artificial LED skylights have adjustable colour temperatures and brightness levels, so you can customise the settings to suit your mood.
$56k to $70k
4-room BTO flat in Kallang Breeze: $63.7k
Image credit: The Local INN.terior
The Local INN.terior completed this Kallang Breeze 4-room BTO project in 2024. To achieve this eclectic aesthetic, the homeowners spent $63.7k on carpentry, flooring, hacking, tiling, electrical rewiring, plumbing, and painting, with statement furniture pieces that are the focal point of the flat. An open shelving system displays various collectables and knick-knacks, adding character to the home.
Image credit: The Local INN.terior
We’ve seen an uptick in bathrooms done up with coloured tiles, such as the emerald ones in this toilet on an accent wall opposite the vanity.
Image credit: The Local INN.terior
For a sense of continuity throughout the home, these same tiles also line the base of the kitchen island.
4-room BTO flat in Kallang Breeze: $70k
Image credit: Ascend Design
The use of glass blocks is another design trend that has been gaining traction in recent times. Previously associated with more old-school home designs, these textured blocks have seen a resurgence, albeit used in different ways than before.
In this 4-room Kallang Breeze BTO flat by Ascend Design, the textured glass blocks serve as a decorative divider between the dining area and entryway of the house, allowing light to pass through while maintaining a sense of separation.
Image credit: Ascend Design
Brick red tiles are used across the kitchen, bathroom, and living area to create a cohesive look, while dark wood adds to the atmosphere of this retro-modern home.
>$70k
4-room BTO flat in Yio Chu Kang Beacon: $90k
Image credit: Butler Interior
The interior of this Yio Chu Kang Beacon 4-room BTO flat draws from classic noir and vintage design styles. Completed in 2024 by Butler Interior, the homeowners spared no expense in fashioning this visually arresting space.
Image credit: Butler Interior
The black and white home makes use of contrast to visually separate the living spaces. White walls and a cream sofa are the focal points of the living room, with a black coffee table tying it back to the theme. In the all-black kitchen and dining area, a dramatic white chandelier stands out against the black cabinetry and dining table.
Image credit: Butler Interior
The study in contrasts takes a colourful turn in the master bedroom and bathroom, where pastel pink takes the place of black, set against creamy off-white━which ties it back to the white in the rest of the home.
4-room BTO flat in Casa Spring @ Yishun: $130k
Image credit: MET Interior
Minimalism meets wabi-sabi in this ultra calming 4-room flat in Casa Spring @ Yishun. Designed by MET Interior for $130k in 2023, the owners have gone almost furniture-free, opting instead for built-in storage to keep everything out of sight.
Image credit: MET Interior
The cave-like interior features lots of built-in elements which hide away all trunkings and structural pillars; the dining table has also been designed to flow seamlessly from the rest of the home.
Image credit: MET Interior
Curved features soften harsh edges and can make a space more inviting. However, take note that creating curved walls costs more due to the additional labour and plastering work required. While visually stunning, curved walls and features also eat into your floor area.
Image credit: MET Interior
Similarly, painting your walls with lime wash adds visual interest to your space. But this labour-intensive painting method will add to your overall renovation cost, and is harder to maintain.
Cost breakdown for 4-room BTO flat renovations
When you are coming up with a renovation budget, consider how much hacking, tiling, and carpentry work you foresee yourself requiring. If you need ample storage space in your kitchen and built-in cabinetry in your bedroom, allocate more budget for these rooms. Consider open shelves or modular pieces of furniture, rather than built-ins, which might also be more affordable.
Likewise, if achieving a specific look for your bathroom and kitchen backsplash are important to you, be prepared to shell out more. The same goes for floor tiles, which can quickly add up.
You get the drift: the more customised your home, the more renovation work will be needed, and the greater the renovation cost. In the list below, we’ve put together a cost breakdown for renovating a 4-room BTO flat.
| Item | Estimated cost |
| Hacking | $400-$900 per wall.
Costs will vary for partial hacking, depending on how you hack the wall. |
| Painting | $1,250 to $2,000, depending on type of paint and number of colours. |
| Tiling and flooring | Tiles: From $3.20 per tile, $4-$6psf for tile laying labour, and $6 per foot run for skirting.
Vinyl: $2-$5psf of vinyl, and $1-$3 for installation. |
| Carpentry | Approximately $100-$250 per foot run. |
| Plumbing | Approximately $1,500 per bathroom for new sinks, toilets, and showers, excluding fixtures. |
| Electrical work | Approximately $4,000 to $8,000 to rewire a 4-room BTO flat, excluding fixtures. |
How long does it take to renovate a 4-room BTO flat?
You can expect your renovation to take anywhere from 9-10 weeks on average. This is comparable to the 8-10 weeks for 3-room BTO flat renovations. If you are doing an electrical wiring overhaul, installing extensive built-in carpentry, hacking walls or reconfiguring the layout of your home, expect the renovation to take a longer time.
Do consult with your ID on expected timelines and check in on the progress of your home from time to time. With more complicated renovation works, you may also have to set aside additional budget for unexpected hiccups. A safe estimate is to set aside about 15% of your renovation budget as a buffer.
4-room BTO flat renovation costs in 2025
If you find your initial renovation budget to be lacking, consider doing a two-phase renovation. Do your wall hacking and the necessary plumbing and electrical works first, and consider doing your floor, ceiling, and any remodelling work several years later, when you’ve built up your renovation funds again.
The key here is to prioritise the necessary work—whatever that means to you. Ultimately, renovating a 4-room BTO flat and turning it into a home does not have to be too costly or happen all at once.
For more renovation content:
- How much will it cost to renovate a 3-room BTO flat in 2025
- Open-concept bachelor pad 4-room Clementi BTO
- Artsy $58k 4-room Dakota BTO renovation
Cover image adapted from: MET Interior, Art Of Integrity Studio, Ethan Interiors, Ascend Design
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