Home guides for Singapore homes.

Aircon BTU by room size

How to work out the BTU aircon you need for a room in Singapore using NEA's rule of thumb, what changes the answer, and why bigger is not better.

Chemical overhaul cost

What aircon companies in Singapore publish for a chemical overhaul per unit and by BTU size, why it costs more than a chemical wash, and when to skip it.

Chemical wash cost by BTU

Published aircon chemical wash and overhaul prices by unit size (9,000 to 24,000 BTU) from companies in our directory, and what each job includes.

Aircon gas top-up cost

What companies in our directory publish for an aircon gas top-up in Singapore, R22 vs R32 and R410A, and why a top-up often means a leak.

Aircon installation cost for HDB

What aircon installation in an HDB flat costs, the HDB and electrical rules to check first, and the installation rates companies publish in our directory.

HDB aircon installation rules

HDB rules for installing an aircon: BCA-trained installers, the 14-day report, ledge and bracket rules, piping and drainage, and when a permit is needed.

Aircon installation quote checklist

Aircon installation quote checklist for Singapore: the model and ticks, piping, electrical points, HDB rules, GST and warranty lines to check before you accept.

Aircon mould

Why mould grows in aircons in Singapore's humid climate, what you can safely clean yourself, when to book a chemical wash, and how to prevent it.

Aircon not cold

Simple checks to try when your aircon is running but not cooling, what each sign usually points to, and when to call a technician.

Aircon repair cost

What aircon companies in Singapore publish for troubleshooting and diagnosis visits, why the fix is quoted later, and how to weigh repair against replacement.

Aircon servicing checklist

An aircon servicing checklist: what to ask a technician to cover on the indoor and outdoor units, checks before they leave, and published prices.

Aircon servicing cost by unit count

How aircon servicing is priced per unit and per visit in Singapore, minimum bookings, and the one-unit rates 66 companies publish in our directory.

Aircon settings to save electricity

The aircon temperature, fan and timer settings NEA recommends to cut electricity use in Singapore, plus filter, servicing and buying tips that help.

Aircon smells musty

What a musty, sour or burning smell from your aircon usually means, what you can clean yourself and when a chemical wash or repair is needed.

Aircon tripping power

Why an aircon trips the power, which breaker tripped and what that tells you, what is safe to check and when to call a technician or Licensed Electrician.

Cheap aircon servicing red flags

What low published aircon servicing prices in Singapore can leave out: From prices, multi-unit rates, GST and add-ons. How to compare quotes like for like.

Daikin aircon servicing

What Daikin says about cleaning and servicing its aircons in Singapore, what to tell a servicing company, and how brand servicing compares with independents.

Clean your aircon filter

How to remove, wash, dry and refit the filters on a wall-mounted aircon safely, how often to do it and when the unit needs a professional service.

PLUMBING

Plumbing costs, problems and rules

All plumbing guides

Ariston water heater problems

Common Ariston water heater problems in Singapore homes, from no hot water to tripping and leaking valves, what Ariston's own guide says, and when to call.

Basin replacement cost

What plumbers in Singapore publish for replacing or installing a basin or basin cabinet, what the price covers and which HDB rules apply.

Burst pipe

What to do first when a water pipe bursts in a Singapore flat: shut the stopcock, keep electrics and neighbours safe, when to call PUB, and repair prices.

Ceiling leak from upstairs

Who pays for a ceiling leak from the flat above in an HDB block, how HDB says to investigate and share the repair, and what changes after HIP or for new flats.

Floor trap choke clearing cost

What plumbers publish to clear a choked floor trap in Singapore, what to try first, when the main pipe is the Town Council's, and how to prevent chokes.

HDB plumbing renovation rules

HDB plumbing renovation rules: which pipe, sink and toilet works need no HDB permit, the conditions that apply and why a PUB Licensed Plumber does the work.

How to unclog a toilet

How to unclog a toilet safely with a plunger, what not to pour or flush, and when a choke in a Singapore flat needs a plumber or the Town Council.

Joven water heater problems

Common Joven water heater problems, from water that is not hot enough to a leaking tank, what Joven's support pages say and when to book a service.

Kitchen sink leaking

How to find where water under a kitchen sink comes from, from the bottle trap and hoses to the sink seal, what to check yourself and what plumbers charge.

Kitchen sink replacement

What replacing a kitchen sink involves in an HDB flat: top-mount or undermount, the counter cut-out, trap and tap reconnection, PUB rules and published rates.

Water leak detection cost

What plumbers publish for water leak detection in Singapore, how detection differs from repair, checks to do first, and who pays for leaks between flats.

Fix a leaking tap

How to fix a dripping tap in a Singapore home: turn off the water, replace a worn washer step by step, and know when to replace the tap or call a plumber.

Main stack choke

How to tell a main stack choke from a choke in your own pipes, why the Town Council handles the main sanitary pipes and when to call a plumber.

No hot water: what to check

Why your water heater suddenly gives no hot water, the safe checks you can make yourself for instant and storage heaters, and when to call a professional.

Rheem water heater problems

Common Rheem storage and instant water heater problems in Singapore, what Rheem's own documents say to check, and when to call a plumber or electrician.

Shower drain choke

Clear a slow or choked shower drain or floor trap: lift and clean the grating, remove hair, what a handyman may do under PUB rules and published choke prices.

Weak shower pressure

Why one shower runs weak when other taps are fine: a clogged head or hose, a flow regulator, the heater's inlet filter or the supply. Checks and who to call.

Silicone sealant replacement

Replace mouldy or leaking bathroom silicone step by step: why sealant turns black, what HDB advises, curing before use and when to call a contractor.

Tap replacement cost

What plumbers in Singapore publish to replace or repair a kitchen or basin tap, what the price covers, and when a new washer is enough instead.

Toilet bowl replacement cost

What plumbers in Singapore publish to replace a toilet bowl, labour only or with a new bowl, and why the job needs a PUB Licensed Plumber.

Toilet choke clearing cost

What plumbers in Singapore publish for clearing a choked toilet bowl, what pushes the price up, and when the Town Council handles the blockage.

Toilet flush repair cost

What plumbers in Singapore publish for siphon, valve and flush repairs, when a cistern needs more than a part, and who may do the work under PUB rules.

Toilet keeps running

Why a toilet cistern keeps running or refilling, how to test for a silent leak, the fixes HDB describes, and what a cistern repair costs.

Water heater installation steps

What happens when a water heater is installed in a Singapore home, who does the plumbing and electrical parts, and how to prepare for the visit.

Water heater leaking

Why a storage water heater drips or leaks, how to tell a normal valve drip from a tank leak, what to switch off first, and when to repair or replace it.

Water heater replacement cost

What plumbers and electricians publish for replacing a water heater in Singapore, storage vs instant, and the licences each part of the job needs.

Water heater three-pin plug safety

Why a water heater should not run on a 3-pin plug: MND and CPSO guidance, double pole switches, 20 amp points, who may rewire it and published rates.

Water heater tripping

Why a water heater trips the RCCB or circuit breaker in a Singapore home, what you can safely check, and why you should stop using it until it is checked.

When you need a licensed plumber

Which plumbing jobs in a Singapore home must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber, which simple jobs a handyman may do, and how to check a licence.

ELECTRICAL

Electrical work, faults and rules

All electrical guides

Burning smell from a socket

What to do if a socket smells of burning or has scorch marks: making it safe, the causes HDB and EMA list, and why a Licensed Electrician should fix it.

Doorbell installation

HDB lets you install a smart doorbell without approval. What the CCTV rules say, wired or battery, neighbours' privacy and when you need an electrician.

ELCB keeps tripping

Why the ELCB or RCCB in a Singapore flat keeps tripping, how to find the circuit or appliance causing it, and when to stop and call a licensed electrician.

HDB electrical renovation rules

What HDB allows in electrical renovation: no embedded wiring, trunking, extra points without a permit, isolator permits, LEW and SP Services testing at the end.

Electrician call-out fee

What electricians in Singapore publish as call-out or inspection fees, when a fee is waived if the repair goes ahead, and what to ask before the visit.

Electricity bill suddenly high

Why an electricity bill jumps: a tariff change, an estimated reading, or more aircon and water heater use. Checks to run, and when to call an electrician.

HDB rewiring cost

What electricians in Singapore publish for rewiring a whole HDB flat, when old wiring is due for replacement, and what a fair rewiring quote should list.

Isolator installation cost

What electricians publish to install or replace an aircon or water heater isolator in Singapore, HDB permit rules for 20A isolators and a quote checklist.

Light installation cost

What electricians in Singapore publish to install or replace lights, from downlights to hanging lights, and when a new light point needs a licensed electrician.

Light not working

Why a light still does not work after a new bulb: the wrong bulb, a tripped MCB, the switch or the fitting's driver. Safe checks and when to call an LEW.

No power in the whole flat

What to do when the whole flat loses power: check the block, check the DB box safely, who to call for an outage, and when you need an electrician.

Power point installation cost

What electricians in Singapore publish for replacing a socket or adding a 13A power point, what moves the price, and who may legally do the work.

Power strip overload

How to avoid overloading power strips and multi-way adaptors at home, which appliances to keep off them, and which SAFETY Mark and plug rules apply.

Power trip repair cost

What electricians in Singapore publish for tracing a power trip, why the fix is priced separately, what call-out fees look like and what to ask.

How to read your DB box

What each switch in an HDB DB box does: the main switch, the RCCB and its test button, and the MCBs. How to label circuits, test the RCCB and reset a trip.

Which electrical work needs an LEW

Which electrical jobs in a Singapore home must be done by an EMA Licensed Electrical Worker, what you can safely do yourself, and how to check a licence.

HANDYMAN

Handyman jobs and costs

All handyman guides

Household shelter drilling

Drilling into a household shelter in an HDB flat: the 50mm limit SCDF sets, which fixtures and finishes are not allowed and how to care for the shelter door.

Cabinet hinge repair

Fix a sagging or misaligned cabinet door by adjusting its concealed hinge: which screw moves the door which way, soft-close tips and when to call a handyman.

Childproofing checklist

Childproofing checklist for a Singapore flat: window grilles, sockets and cords, furniture anchoring, chemicals, bathrooms and jobs for licensed trades.

Curtain installation cost

What handymen publish to install curtain rods, tracks and blinds in Singapore, ceiling or wall fixing in HDB flats, motorised tracks and a quote checklist.

Digital lock installation cost

What digital lock installation involves in Singapore, the lock and door rates companies publish in our directory, and the HDB door rules to check.

Furniture assembly price

What handymen in Singapore publish for assembling IKEA and other flat-pack furniture, how per-piece and per-job prices differ, and what to ask before you book.

Gate lock replacement

What replacing an HDB gate lock involves: lock types and fit, digital gate locks, fixing stuck bolts and rust, HDB gate rules and published lock rates.

What a handyman can do

What a handyman can do in a Singapore home, the plumbing jobs PUB allows, the jobs that need a licensed electrician, plumber or gas worker, and bundling jobs.

HDB drilling rules

The hours HDB allows for heavy drilling and DIY jobs, the walls you must never drill, and how to drill safely around hidden pipes and wiring.

Laundry rack installation rules

HDB rules for laundry racks and pole holders: what HDB replaces under upgrading, what you may install indoors, and the killer litter rules for poles outside.

Painting over mould

Why paint alone does not stop mould on walls and ceilings, how to find the damp first, how to prepare the surface and when a leak needs a professional.

Shelf installation

Install a floating or bracket shelf in an HDB flat: anchors and load limits, HDB drilling rules for Ferrolite walls and concealed wiring, and published rates.

Window safety check

BCA's window safety checks for Singapore homes: what to look at on casement, sliding and louvred windows every six months, and when to call an AWC.

HOME CLEANING

Cleaning your home

All home cleaning guides

Carpet cleaning price

What cleaning companies in Singapore publish for carpet and rug cleaning per piece, per item or per square foot, and what to ask before you book.

Cheap house cleaning: what to check

What a low cleaning price can leave out in Singapore, from minimum hours and supplies to GST, and the questions to ask before you book a cheap cleaner.

Clean a shower curtain

Clean a mouldy shower curtain the right way for its material: machine washing polyester, rinsing PEVA liners, drying, ventilation and when to replace it.

Clean a washing machine

Step-by-step cleaning for front-load and top-load washing machines: drum, door seal, detergent drawer and filter, plus how to stop smells coming back.

Cleaning licence check

When a cleaning company needs NEA's Cleaning Business Licence: home cleaning versus office and condo common areas, how to check a licence and a company's UEN.

Curtain cleaning cost

What cleaning companies publish for curtain cleaning in Singapore: per piece rates, on-site steam lines, take-down and rehang, fabrics and a quote checklist.

Deep cleaning checklist

A room-by-room deep cleaning checklist for Singapore homes: what a deep clean covers in the kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms, and what to confirm in a quote.

Deep cleaning cost

What home deep cleaning costs in Singapore, what companies in our directory publish, what a deep clean covers and what makes a quote higher.

End-of-tenancy checklist

A move-out checklist for tenants in Singapore: what CEA's tenancy template expects at handover, what to clean, the records to keep and cleaning prices.

Kitchen deep cleaning checklist

A step-by-step kitchen deep cleaning checklist: hood and hob, cabinets, fridge, sink trap and floor, with safe chemical use and a printable list.

Part-time cleaner rules

MOM's rules on part-time cleaners: why a domestic helper cannot work part-time for another household, the Household Services Scheme and what to ask.

Mattress cleaning cost

What cleaning companies in Singapore publish for mattress cleaning, why the prices are hard to compare, and what to ask about methods and drying time.

Mixing cleaning products

Which household cleaning products are dangerous to mix: bleach with acid or ammonia cleaners, safe use from NEA's guidance and what to do after exposure.

Mould on the ceiling

Why mould forms on bathroom and bedroom ceilings in Singapore, how to clean small patches safely, and when a ceiling leak needs a contractor.

Move-in cleaning checklist

A room-by-room move-in cleaning checklist for a new or resale home in Singapore: what to clean before the furniture arrives, and what to check as you go.

Move-out cleaning cost

What cleaning companies in Singapore publish for move-out and end-of-tenancy cleaning, what changes the price, and what to agree before the handover.

Part-time cleaner hourly rate

The hourly rates cleaning companies in Singapore publish for part-time cleaners, how minimum hours and recurring bookings work, and what to check on GST.

Part-time cleaner checklist

A part-time cleaner task list for a 3-hour visit: what to prioritise, what to agree separately, the supplies to prepare and a checklist to share.

Post-renovation cleaning cost

What cleaning companies in Singapore publish for post-renovation cleaning, how dust level and add-ons change the price, and when to book it.

Prevent mosquito breeding

NEA's checks to prevent mosquito breeding at home: the weekly Mozzie Wipeout, plant pots, gully traps, aircon trays, scupper drains and inspections.

Remove bathroom mould

How to remove mould from bathroom tiles, grout and silicone safely, which products to use with care, and how to stop it coming back in a humid flat.

Sofa cleaning price

What cleaning companies in Singapore publish for sofa and upholstery cleaning, why the units differ, and what to ask before you book a sofa clean.

Spring cleaning checklist

A room-by-room spring cleaning checklist for Singapore homes, the jobs worth leaving to professionals and what a professional deep clean costs.

Weekly cleaning schedule

A realistic weekly cleaning schedule for a Singapore flat: short daily tasks, one area a day, monthly jobs, NEA's anti-dengue checks and part-time help.

All around the home guides

AROUND THE HOME

Rules, planning and hiring

BTO defects checklist

A room-by-room BTO defects checklist for key collection, how to report defects to the Building Service Centre within 1 month, and what is not a defect.

BTO defects liability period

How HDB's 1-year defects liability period works for a new BTO flat: when to report, how the Building Service Centre handles repairs, and what comes after.

BTO renovation sequence

The order of a BTO renovation in Singapore: defects check and permits first, then hacking, wiring and plumbing, carpentry, aircon and painting, cleaning last.

Condo renovation rules

What rules apply to condo renovations: MCST by-laws and approval, works on common property, appearance and structure, demolition advice, noise and deposits.

Contractor disputes

What to do when a contractor in Singapore does poor work or overcharges: document it, negotiate in writing, then mediation or the Small Claims Tribunals.

Home fire alarms

Home fire alarm devices in HDB flats: when SCDF requires one, where to place it, what to look for when buying and how to test and maintain it.

Smell of gas

What to do if you smell gas at home in Singapore: EMA's steps, who to call, what not to touch and who may repair town gas pipes and appliances.

GST on home services

GST on home service quotes in Singapore: what IRAS says about GST-inclusive prices, how to check registration and what nett or before-GST pricing means.

HDB EASE programme

HDB's EASE programme for seniors: who qualifies, the grab bars, ramps, slip-resistant treatment and other items it installs, and how to apply online.

HDB floor tile rules

HDB rules for changing bathroom and floor tiles: when a permit is needed, waterproofing and the 150mm upturn, overlaying tiles and the 3-year rule.

HDB HIP: what it covers

What the HDB Home Improvement Programme covers, from essential repairs to optional and EASE items, the water test, what you pay, and timing your own renovation.

HDB renovation hours

HDB's renovation hours for general works, noisy works and DIY jobs in a flat, the days noisy works are banned, and the other site rules to know.

HDB renovation permit

Which renovation works in an HDB flat need an HDB permit, who applies, what to submit and the work hours to follow, based on HDB's own guidelines.

Home repair scams to avoid

Common home repair scam patterns in Singapore: door-to-door 'HDB' repairs, deposits that vanish, prices that change on site. How to check, and what to do.

Moving house checklist

A moving house checklist for Singapore: what to do weeks ahead, opening and closing SP Group and City Energy accounts, changing your IC address and move day.

Post-renovation defects checklist

Post-renovation defects checklist for Singapore homes: what to inspect room by room, documents to collect and how to raise defects before the final payment.

Renovation noise complaints

How to complain about a neighbour's renovation noise in an HDB flat or condo: the allowed hours, who handles feedback and the mediation steps to try first.

Resale flat inspection

A resale HDB flat inspection checklist: leaks, pipes, wiring and the DB box, windows, doors and aircon, and when to ask a professional before buying.

Spalling concrete

Spalling concrete in an HDB flat: why ceilings crack and bulge, who is responsible for the repair, what to do while you wait and how to prevent it.

Tenant and landlord repairs

Who pays for repairs in a rented HDB flat under CEA's tenancy template: the minor repair clause, aircon servicing and repairs, and landlord consent.

Check a contractor's UEN and licences

Check a home-service company's UEN on Bizfile, match the licence to the job (LEW, PUB plumber, gas, windows, HDB renovation) and spot gaps before you pay.

HDB repair responsibility

Which repairs an HDB flat owner arranges and pays for, what the Town Council maintains, and how leaks between flats and from common property are split.