Electricians in the North-East region of Singapore

Electrical work across the North-East region's towns

The North-East region's towns differ mainly in the age and type of their homes. In HDB's Ang Mo Kio town, 84% of flats are in blocks completed in 1986 or earlier. In HDB's Punggol town, every flat is in a block completed in 1998 or later (HDB Property Information). The census counts homes by planning area, and planning area borders do not match HDB towns. By that count, landed homes make up 26% of households in Serangoon planning area and 0% in Punggol and Sengkang (Census of Population 2020). These differences change what an electrician is likely to find behind your walls.

Older HDB towns: Ang Mo Kio and Hougang

Half the blocks in HDB's Ang Mo Kio town were completed in 1979 or earlier, and the oldest date from 1975. HDB's Hougang town is more mixed: 44% of its flats are in blocks from 1986 or earlier, 26% are from 1987 to 1997 and 30% are from 1998 or later (HDB Property Information).

In older flats, power that trips when several appliances run at once is often the reason residents call an electrician. HDB's Home Improvement Programme covers flats built up to 1986. Since 2018 it also covers flats built from 1987 to 1997. One of its essential improvements is upgrading the electrical supply. A precinct is upgraded only if at least 75% of eligible Singapore citizen households vote yes (HDB HIP). Before you agree to a full rewire, ask whether your flat's supply has already been upgraded.

If your flat does not have higher electrical loading, you need an HDB permit before new 15A power points can be installed for aircon or high-load appliances (HDB renovation approval).

Newer HDB towns: Punggol and Sengkang

Half the blocks in HDB's Punggol town were completed in 2012 or earlier, and 97% of flats in HDB's Sengkang town are in blocks from 1998 or later (HDB Property Information). Both areas have many larger flats. The census counts 22,277 4-room and 16,990 5-room or executive households in Punggol planning area, and 31,507 and 28,680 in Sengkang planning area (Census of Population 2020).

Wiring in younger blocks is less likely to need replacing, so jobs here are more often additions: extra sockets, new lighting points or changes to the DB box. EMA says that work on wiring, socket outlets, switches, lighting points, consumer control units or circuit breakers needs a Licensed Electrical Worker. Licences are held by individuals, so ask which licensed person will do your job (EMA).

Serangoon and private homes

Serangoon planning area has 9,745 landed households, which is 26% of its households, and another 16% live in condos or apartments. Hougang planning area has 15% in condos and 8% in landed homes (Census of Population 2020). In HDB's Serangoon town, 59% of flats are in blocks from 1986 or earlier and 38% are from 1987 to 1997 (HDB Property Information).

Condo owners must follow their MCST by-laws, so check with your MCST before you renovate. Any change to common property needs the MCST's prior written approval (BCA).

A closing tip

If your older precinct is going through a HIP poll, keep in mind that the works take about 10 working days in each flat, and the essential improvements include upgrading the electrical supply (HDB HIP). Waiting for the result before a major rewire can save you from paying twice. Whatever you hire for, HDB requires electrical work in flats to be done by an EMA licensed electrical worker (HDB renovation approval).