What are HDB renovation hours?

HDB renovation hours at a glance

HDB sets out when renovation can take place in its flats on its important information on renovations page. The hours depend on the type of work, so it helps to know which group each job falls into before you plan the schedule.

Planning renovation timing for an HDB flat starts with sorting each job into one of these groups, so ask your contractor early which parts count as noisy works.

What counts as noisy works

HDB calls the noisiest jobs restricted works. Its renovation rules give these examples:

• Demolishing walls
• Removing wall or floor finishes
• Cutting tiles
• Heavy and excessive drilling

The HDB noisy works hours are 9am to 5pm on weekdays only, and these jobs are not allowed on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays, as HDB's renovation information page states.

HDB also controls how this work is done. Only 2 of the handheld power tools approved by HDB, or their equivalent, may be used at any one time. Renovation contractors cannot take more than 3 consecutive days to demolish walls or remove wall or floor finishes, according to the same HDB page.

Public holidays and festive eves

HDB does not allow restricted works on the eves of New Year's Day, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa and Christmas Day, according to its renovation rules. General works are not allowed on Sundays and public holidays, and noisy works are not allowed on those days either.

A week with a public holiday or one of these eves leaves fewer days for noisy work. When you plan the schedule with your contractor, check the calendar and mark both the holidays and the five eves, or check each date in the renovation hours checker.

DIY jobs at home

If you do small jobs yourself, HDB asks residents to keep DIY works to between 7am and 10.30pm, keep noise to a minimum and avoid DIY drilling or hammering from 10.30pm to 7am. If a drilling job cannot be kept within those hours, HDB asks you to inform your neighbours beforehand. These points come from HDB's renovation information page. For more on drilling in a flat, see the guide to HDB drilling rules.

HDB's guidelines for electrical works and plumbing works also limit fixings: power-driven nails and screws must not exceed 6mm in diameter and 40mm in penetration depth. New wiring may not be embedded in walls or plaster, so if your job involves wiring or new power points, read about electrical work in HDB flats first.

Being a good neighbour during works

HDB asks residents to inform neighbours in advance of works that may generate noise and, when possible, to close the main door while works are going on. If your renovation needs a permit, you and your contractor must display the Notice of Renovation outside the flat until all works are completed. As the flat owner, you are responsible for renovations in your flat and must make sure your contractor follows HDB's guidelines. All three points are on HDB's renovation information page.

Before the contractor starts

HDB requires flat owners to engage only contractors from its Directory of Renovation Contractors. Some works need an HDB permit, while works that do not need one must still follow HDB's guidelines. Approved works must be completed within 3 months of the permit date for newly completed blocks, 1 month for existing blocks and 2 weeks for window works only, according to HDB's renovation rules. To check whether your job needs a permit, see when you need an HDB renovation permit.

If your Town Council does not provide a debris removal service, you must make sure the contractor removes the debris and disposes of it at a site approved by the National Environment Agency. HDB's renovation information page also states that it is not a party to the private agreement between you and your contractor, and disputes are settled without reference to HDB.

Agree these points with your contractor before work starts:

• Daily start and finish times that fit the hours for each type of work
• Which days the noisy works will happen, avoiding Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and the five festive eves
• Who removes the debris and where it is disposed of
• Whether the job is charged at an hourly rate or fixed price, as the price depends on the job

For more points to raise, see these questions to ask a handyman. If you are not sure what kind of company the job needs, start with which service you need.

Questions