Handymen serving Outram.

Homes in Outram and what they mean for handyman jobs

The housing here

Outram is mostly public housing. The Census 2020 dwelling data counts 8,053 resident households in the Outram planning area. Of these, 7,605, or about 94%, live in HDB flats. Most of the flats are small: 2,889 households live in 1 and 2 room flats, 2,356 in 3 room flats, 1,735 in 4 room flats and 625 in 5 room or executive flats. About 420 households, roughly 5%, live in condos or apartments. The census records no landed homes here.

Small flats affect handyman work. Wall space is tight, so people often ask for shelves, TV brackets, wall cabinets and folding furniture. Before drilling, the worker should check where concealed pipes and wiring run. This page has no separate HDB town figures from HDB's property information dataset. HDB towns also do not follow planning area borders, so we cannot say how old the blocks here are.

If you live in an older flat, ask HDB whether your precinct is eligible for the Home Improvement Programme. It started in 2007 for flats built up to 1986 and was extended in 2018 to flats built from 1987 to 1997. A precinct is upgraded only if at least 75% of eligible Singapore citizen households vote yes. The essential works include replacing waste pipes and pipe sockets, repairing spalling concrete and upgrading the electrical supply. Works in each flat take about 10 working days. EASE fittings for seniors are also offered under HIP. Check this before you pay to fix something that upgrading might replace.

Planning a job

Drilling, mounting, furniture assembly and small repairs are general handyman jobs. Some related work must be done by a licensed person:

• Electrical: work on wiring, power points, switches, lighting points, consumer control units or circuit breakers needs an EMA Licensed Electrical Worker. Licences are held by individuals, so ask whose licence covers the job.
• New 15A points: HDB flats without higher electrical loading need an HDB renovation permit to install new 15A power points for aircon or high-load appliances. HDB also requires aircon installation by a BCA trained installer.
• Plumbing: water service and sanitary plumbing work in HDB flats does not need an HDB permit, but it must be done by a PUB licensed plumber. PUB also sets out which plumbing works need a licensed plumber.
• Gas: under EMA gas safety rules, only City Energy or a Licensed Gas Service Worker may do home gas installation work.

Condo residents must follow their MCST by-laws, so check with the MCST before any work. Changes to common property need the MCST's prior written approval. Structural elements cannot be altered without a Professional Engineer's assessment and approval from the Commissioner of Building Control, as set out in BCA guidance for condo owners.

Tip: in a compact flat, decide where everything goes before anyone drills. Agree on the exact position of each bracket or shelf. If the job includes a socket, tap or gas point, give that part to a licensed worker from the start so the job is not held up halfway.