What are the rules for renovating an HDB kitchen?

HDB kitchen renovation rules at a glance

The kitchen renovation rules HDB publishes cover five areas: floor finishes, waterproofing, the sink, gas pipes and wiring. Floor finishes and waterproofing sit in its building works guidelines. The sink and gas pipes sit in its plumbing and gas guidelines. Power points and wiring sit in its electrical works guidelines. The table sums up the key points.

Use the table as a checklist when you brief your contractor. For each item in your plan, ask whether it needs a permit, who will apply for it and which trade will do the work. The sections below explain each rule and link to the official page that states it.

Floor and wall finishes

Replacing floor finishes needs a permit, and the total thickness of floor finishes and screed must not exceed 50mm. In kitchens, pre-packed waterproofing screed must go down before new floor finishes are laid. Both rules come from HDB's building works guidelines.

HDB says an overlay of new floor tiles with adhesive needs no permit, as long as there is one existing layer, the new layer is 13mm or less, the floor trap is left untouched and there is no backflow (HDB building works guidelines).

For how a permit application works, see our guide to the HDB renovation permit. For overlay and thickness details, see HDB floor tile rules.

On the walls, plan any new cable runs before tiling. HDB does not allow new wiring to be embedded in walls or plaster, so new wiring runs in surface trunking, above a false ceiling or behind carpentry (HDB electrical works guidelines).

Sink and plumbing

HDB says sink replacement has no special conditions. If you want to reposition the sink, the work must not tamper with the structural slab (HDB plumbing and gas guidelines). Before you commit to a new layout, ask your contractor how the pipes will reach the new position without touching the slab.

Who does the work matters too. PUB lists installing or replacing a washbasin or sink and its bottle trap as simple plumbing work that a handyman may do. Other water service and sanitary plumbing works, such as moving pipes for a new sink position, need a PUB Licensed Plumber (PUB Plumbing Works).

For the wider set of rules, read our guide to HDB plumbing renovation rules. If the sink is staying where it is, the kitchen sink replacement guide covers the swap.

Gas and electrical points

Fix the positions of the hob, oven and cooker hood first, since the gas and power points follow them.

HDB says gas pipes may only be altered by City Energy or an LGSW, and gas pipes must not be embedded in common partition walls (HDB plumbing and gas guidelines).

For power, HDB says embedding wiring is not allowed. Additional 13A power points need no HDB permit, but SP Services Form CS/5H must be submitted for testing of the new wiring. A 15A power point or 20A isolator in a flat with a 30A main switch needs a permit (HDB electrical works guidelines).

Electrical work at home, including installing, repairing or modifying wiring and adding, extending or replacing power points, should be carried out or supervised by an Energy Market Authority (EMA) Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW). 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 page on engaging licensed workers before you hire.

Switching from a gas hob to induction? Read our guide to induction stove installation before you finalise the counter layout.

Plan the order of work

This order is practical advice, not any agency's rule. It spares later trades from breaking finished work to reach pipes or wiring.

1. Layout and points. Fix the positions of the sink, hob, oven, cooker hood and power points, and check whether any works need an HDB kitchen permit.
2. Hacking and pipes. Remove old finishes, then have water, sanitary and gas pipes adjusted by the right licensed trades.
3. Wiring. Run new wiring in surface trunking, above a false ceiling or behind carpentry, and have the new points tested.
4. Waterproofing and tiling. Lay the waterproofing screed first, then the floor and wall tiles.
5. Cabinets. Install the cabinets, counter and sink once the tiles are done.
6. Appliances. Connect the hob, oven, cooker hood and other appliances last.

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