When water pipe replacement is needed
Replacing concealed water pipes in a flat has no set price. It depends on how many pipes are replaced and whether walls, floors or tiles are opened and made good, so only an itemised quote gives a firm figure.
HDB says leaking pipe joints come from use and deterioration over time, or from impact, and that you should engage a licensed plumber for repairs where necessary. If there is a leak, HDB asks you to shut the stopcock at the PUB water sub-meter to cut the water supply (HDB's guide to pipes).
A single leak at one joint can often be handled as a leak repair. These signs are reasons to ask a plumber about replacing a pipe run rather than patching it again:
- Repeated leaks at joints along the same pipe.
- Rusty water from the tap.
- Damp walls along the line of a pipe.
If you cannot see where the water comes from, read about leak detection cost first.
What PUB and HDB require
PUB says regulated water service and sanitary plumbing works must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber, except for a short list of simple plumbing works that a handyman may do. Repairing or replacing water pipes, concealed or exposed, is not on that list. On the water service side, the only pipe item a handyman may replace or remove is any pipe between a stop valve and an instantaneous water heater (PUB's Plumbing Works page).
HDB's plumbing guidelines say replacing an existing PVC water pipe with a copper or stainless steel pipe must comply with PUB requirements, and installing, altering, replacing or removing any water pipe must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber (HDB's plumbing works guidelines). This lines up with PUB's rules, so copper pipe replacement in an HDB flat is a job for a PUB Licensed Plumber, not a handyman.
These works do not need an HDB permit, but they are subject to HDB's technical terms and conditions (HDB). For other jobs, see what needs a licensed plumber.
Concealed or exposed pipes
Concealed pipes run inside walls or floor finishes; exposed pipes run along the surface. The difference affects the rules and how much opening up and making good the job needs.
HDB says concealed waste or water pipes in floor finishes or walls must comply with PUB requirements and be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber, and the floor slab and wall must not be tampered with. HDB discourages such work because it may cause water leakage to the unit below if not properly done (HDB's plumbing works guidelines; PUB's Plumbing Works page).
If service ducts or piping are enclosed (not gas pipes), HDB asks for a removable access opening of at least 600mm x 600mm. If a total replacement is needed, the enclosure has to be removed (HDB).
Ask whether the new pipe will follow the old concealed route or run exposed, and how it will be enclosed. If you are choosing a material, compare PPR or copper pipes.
Getting a fair quote
PUB advises discussing the scope and cost of the work first, asking for itemised quotes and getting at least three quotes. PUB charges no fee for the submissions a PUB Licensed Plumber lodges, so any such fee on a quote is the plumber's own charge (PUB's Plumbing Works page).
For pipe replacement, ask each plumber:
- What length of pipe is replaced, and which runs.
- Whether walls, floors or tiles are opened.
- Who makes good the walls or tiles afterwards, and whether that is in the price.
- Which pipe material is used.
- Whether the price includes removing and disposing of the old pipe.
The guide on how to compare quotes covers what else to check.
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See plumbing companies in the directory with their published prices, the areas they say they cover and their sources.
Compare plumbersWhat pipe repairs cost
FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY
Published pipe repair rates
For the most common unit (per job), the lowest published pipe repair rates from 3 companies run from S$100 to S$150 per job (middle rate S$150), for one pipe repair. 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 3 published pipe repair rates and sources
| Company | Service as listed | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiasu Plumber | Repair & supply copper pipe | From S$100 per job | kiasuplumber.com |
| PW Plumbing Services | Pipe Repair (Minor) | S$150 to S$300 per job | pwplumbing.com.sg |
| RSF Waterproofing & Contractors Pte Ltd | Burst pipe repair | From S$150 to S$500+ per job | rsfwaterproofing.com.sg |
In this block, 3 companies publish a pipe repair line, all priced per job. Their lowest published rates run from S$100 to S$150 per job, and S$150 is the middle company's published rate. The scope as printed is one pipe repair, and the lines differ: one repairs and supplies copper pipe from S$100 per job, one prices a minor pipe repair at S$150 to S$300 per job, and one prices a burst pipe repair from S$150 to S$500+ per job. Check what each price covers.
FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY
Published leak repair rates
For the most common unit (per job), the lowest published leak repair rates from 11 companies run from S$80 to S$250 per job (middle rate S$80), to repair one leak at an exposed pipe or fitting. The middle figure is a real published rate, not an average.
See 11 published leak repair rates and sources
| Company | Service as listed | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Plumbing | Fix leaking tap or faucet | From S$80 per job | allplumbing.sg |
| AquaHero Plumbing | Repair Leaking Copper/UPVC Pipe | S$80 per job | aquahero-plumbing.sg |
| GD Plumbing | Repair toilet bowl leaking | From S$80 per job | gdplumbing.com.sg |
| Huat Plumbing | Water Leak Repair | From S$80 per job | huatplumbing.sg |
| Prima Technologies Pte. Ltd. (Prima Services) | Water Leak Repair | From S$80 per job | primaservices.sg |
| SG1 Plumber Singapore | Leak Copper Pipe Repair (Labor) | S$80 per job | sg1plumber.com |
| Sk Plumber | Stop leaks at the source - copper or UPVC exposed piping | From S$125 per job | sksplumber.com |
| SR Power Plumber Pte. Ltd. | Repair leak at exposed copper pipe or UPVC pipe (labour & material) | From S$190 per job | srpowerplumber.com |
| Ace Plumbing Specialist | Labour & material to repair leak at exposed copper or uPVC pipe | From S$230 per job | aceplumbing.sg |
| Best Plumbing | Labor & material to repair leak at exposed copper pipe or Upvc pipe | From S$250 per job | bestplumbing.com.sg |
| Summer Plumbing Service | Labor & material to repair leak at exposed copper pipe or Upvc pipe | From S$250 per job | sgplumbing.com.sg |
In this block, 11 companies publish a leak repair line, all priced per job. Their lowest published rates run from S$80 to S$250 per job, and S$80 is the middle company's published rate. The scope as printed is to repair one leak at an exposed pipe or fitting. Some lines cover a leaking tap or toilet bowl instead, and the lines from S$190 per job upwards include labour and material as printed.
No figure here prices replacing every pipe in a flat or a concealed run behind walls and tiles; ask for a quote. See more plumbing costs, or find licensed plumbers for itemised quotes.
Questions
Who can replace a concealed water pipe?
Only a PUB Licensed Plumber can; a handyman cannot. PUB says repairing or replacing water pipes, concealed or exposed, is not on its list of simple plumbing works. The only pipe a handyman may replace is any pipe between a stop valve and an instantaneous water heater (PUB's Plumbing Works page).
Do I need an HDB permit to change water pipes?
Is copper better than PVC for water pipes?
Not automatically: copper is one option HDB allows when an existing PVC water pipe is replaced. HDB says that switch, to copper or stainless steel, must comply with PUB requirements and be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber (HDB; PUB). Ask each plumber which material they propose for your flat, and why.
Do replacement pipes have to stay inside the wall?
Not necessarily. HDB discourages concealed waste or water pipe work in floor finishes or walls, because it may cause water leakage to the unit below if not properly done. Concealed pipes must comply with PUB requirements, and the slab and wall must not be tampered with (HDB; PUB). Ask your plumber whether an exposed run is possible in your flat.
Who maintains the main sanitary pipes?
The Town Council does, according to HDB. HDB says the Town Council is responsible for maintaining the main sanitary pipes, while you maintain the sanitary branch pipes in your flat (HDB's guide to pipes). For a leak in a branch pipe inside your flat, engage a licensed plumber for repairs where necessary.
How long does pipe replacement take?
There is no standard duration: it depends on how many pipes are replaced and whether walls or tiles are opened and made good. Ask each plumber how long the work will take, how long the water supply will be off and when the walls or tiles will be finished, and get the answers in the quote.
Prices come only from the sourced company rates in the HomezyPro directory, shown with each company and its source.
Practical guidance for planning a home job in Singapore. Company prices come from the HomezyPro directory, each linked to its source; rules and safety points link to the agency or manufacturer that sets them. This is not a site inspection, a quote or professional advice for your home.
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