How much does rewiring an HDB flat cost?

HDB rewiring cost: published whole-flat rates

FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY

Published whole-home rewiring rates

For the most common unit (per job), the lowest published whole-home rewiring rates from 5 companies run from S$1,500 to S$2,800 per job (middle rate S$1,890), for a whole flat or house; each company's lowest package, usually its smallest flat type. The middle figure is a real published rate, not an average. Each figure is one company's own advertised rate with its conditions, not a quote.

See 5 published whole-home rewiring rates and sources

Lowest matching advertised rate per company, in SGD as published. "From" marks a starting price and ranges are shown in full. Check the source for minimums, GST and inclusions.

Company	Service as listed	Rate	Source
Electrician24 Singapore	Full House Rewiring	From S$1,500 per job	electrician24.sg
SC Electrician	3-Room HDB Full Rewiring	S$1,800 to S$2,500 per job	scelectrician.sg
Bestvolt Contractors Pte. Ltd.	HDB Rewiring Price Singapore | Packages	From S$1,890 per job	bestvoltcontractors.com
Trizone Electrical & Aircon Pte. Ltd.	Full HDB Rewiring (3-Room)	From S$2,500 per job	trizoneelectricals.com
Active Power Electrical Engineering Pte. Ltd	Our HDB Electrical Rewiring Cost (Singapore)	S$2,800 per job	activepowerelectrical.com

In the table above, 5 companies publish a whole-flat rewiring package, each quoted as printed and linked to its source. Their lowest published packages run from S$1,500 to S$2,800 per job, with S$1,890 per job in the middle. That middle figure is one company's real published rate, not an average.

Each package is for a whole flat or house, usually the company's smallest flat type. Two lines name a 3-room HDB flat: "3-Room HDB Full Rewiring" prints S$1,800 to S$2,500 per job, and "Full HDB Rewiring (3-Room)" prints from S$2,500 per job. The other lines do not name a flat type, so check what each one covers.

There is not yet enough data for 4-room or 5-room flats, or for partial rewiring. For a bigger flat, ask each electrician to quote the rewiring cost for your own flat. For other jobs, see electrician costs in Singapore.

When an HDB flat needs rewiring

HDB gives the estimated average lifespan of a PVC electrical cable as about 25 years, and advises replacing wiring when its lifespan is over or it has deteriorated. HDB also says an LEW can check the wiring and advise whether it needs replacing.

HDB lists overheated plugs and frequently blown plug fuses as caused by loose connections, overloaded circuits or broken cables, and burnt marks at a socket as caused by a plug not fully inserted or an overloaded circuit. These signs do not always mean the flat needs rewiring, but they are good reasons to have an LEW take a look.

EMA lists ageing or exposed wires, faulty appliances and damaged insulation as causes of current leakage, which the RCCB detects before it cuts off electricity. See also electrical work in HDB flats.

Partial or full rewiring

Full rewiring replaces the wiring across the whole flat. Partial rewiring covers only some circuits or points, such as one room's circuits. The LEW decides the scope after checking your wiring, and the quote should then say which circuits and points are included.

The directory has no published prices for partial rewiring. If an electrician suggests partial work, ask what is being left in place and why. See also electrical wiring and rewiring.

How new cables are routed

HDB's renovation guidelines for electrical works do not allow new wiring to be embedded in RC slabs, beams, columns, walls, wall plaster or other finishes. In an HDB flat, new cables usually run in surface trunking, or inside non-structural features such as a false ceiling or built-in carpentry. Ask the electrician how the new cables will be routed and whether trunking is included in the price.

Licensing, testing and the SP Services form

EMA says electrical work in an HDB flat needs a Licensed Electrician, the class of LEW approved for loads of up to 45kVA. See EMA's guide to engaging licensed workers.

EMA's electrical safety page says the LEW inspects and certifies that the installation is safe before supply is turned on. New wiring and rewiring must also be tested by an authorised officer from SP Services before supply can be turned on.

For an HDB flat, HDB says the appointed LEW must submit SP Services form CS/5H, endorsed by HDB, to SP Services and apply for testing of the completed works. Ask for this to be listed in the quote.

EMA's electrical safety page also lists 6835 8075 for checking whether a person is licensed. There is more in how to check a licensed electrician.

What changes the price

Several things move electrical wiring cost for a flat. Use these as a checklist:

• Flat size and the number of points (power points, switches and lighting points) to be rewired.
• How the new cables are routed (surface trunking or inside carpentry or a false ceiling).
• Whether a new DB box or RCCB is part of the job.
• Making good and painting after the work.
• Access to the DB box and cable routes.
• Whether the flat is occupied.

On the DB box, EMA says all residential premises must have an RCCB or ELCB with a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30mA. HDB flats built before 1985 did not come with one unless the owner installed it later, and owners without one should engage an LEW to install it. See DB box replacement.

What a fair quote should list

Ask for a written quote that lists:

• The scope: the whole flat, or exactly which circuits and points are rewired.
• How the new cables are routed (surface trunking or inside carpentry or a false ceiling).
• Any DB box or RCCB work.
• Testing and the SP Services submission (form CS/5H).
• Making good, and whether painting is included.
• The LEW's name and licence number.
• The start date.
• Payment terms, including any deposit.

If two quotes differ a lot, check that they cover the same scope. When you are ready, compare electricians side by side.

Questions