Getting the keys to your BTO flat is exciting — but before your interior designer or renovation contractor can start, the space usually needs to be demolished and cleared. This guide explains the entire process: what to expect, what permissions you need, and how to get it done without delays or compliance issues.
BTO Demolition — The Full Process
- Collect keys from HDB
- Book a free site survey with a BCA-registered contractor
- Confirm what can be hacked (structural vs. non-structural)
- Obtain any required HDB approvals (structural works only)
- Demolition completed in 3–7 days
- Site handed over clean, debris-free, renovation-ready
- Renovation contractor begins immediately
What Comes With Your BTO Flat From HDB
HDB BTO flats are handed over with a basic developer fit-out that most homeowners choose to remove before renovation. Standard BTO inclusions typically include:
- Internal partition walls (sometimes including a bathroom/utility layout)
- Basic bathroom fittings: toilet bowl, basin, shower head, tap
- Kitchen sink and basic piping
- Main door, bedroom doors, and ironmongery
- Electrical points and light switches
- Bare screed flooring (no tiles in most newer BTOs)
Most homeowners remove the bathroom fittings, partition layouts they do not want, and sometimes the kitchen layout to start fresh with their own design.
What You Can Hack in a BTO Flat Without HDB Approval
The following works in a BTO flat are classified as non-structuraland do not require prior HDB consent:
Internal partition walls
Non-structural only — confirm with structural plan
Bathroom & kitchen tiles
Floor and wall tiles, screed
Developer-installed fixtures
Toilet, basin, kitchen sink, doors
False or plaster ceilings
Where installed by developer
Built-in carpentry
Wardrobes, kitchen cabinets
Vinyl or laminate flooring
If installed by developer
What Requires HDB Approval Before Hacking
The following are structural or regulated works that require written HDB consent before any demolition begins:
- Structural or load-bearing walls — these are shown on the structural plans provided by HDB at key collection. Never assume a wall is non-structural without checking the plans.
- External walls and party walls — walls shared with neighbouring units or the building exterior cannot be hacked under any circumstances.
- Works affecting the fire protection system — sprinklers, fire doors, fire-rated walls.
- Hacking through floor slabs — to relocate floor traps or drainage points requires HDB approval and a licensed plumber.
⚠ If a contractor offers to hack structural walls without HDB approval, decline. As the flat owner, the liability — including reinstatement costs and penalties — falls on you.
How to Identify Structural Walls in Your BTO
HDB provides structural plans as part of your key collection package. Look for walls marked with diagonal hatching or labelled as RC (reinforced concrete) walls on the floor plan — these are structural.
As a practical rule: the outer perimeter walls and most walls between wet areas (bathrooms, kitchens) and dry areas are structural. Thin internal partitions (75–100mm) between bedrooms and living areas are usually non-structural.
When in doubt, ask your BCA-registered contractor to review the structural plans before quoting. Bellevill does this as part of every free site survey.
BTO Demolition Cost — What to Budget
Typical BTO demolition costs in Singapore (2025):
| Scope | Flat Size | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Basic BTO clearance (developer fixtures only) | 3-room | $2,800–$3,500 |
| BTO clearance + permitted partition removal | 4-room | $3,500–$4,500 |
| Full interior demolition (inc. floors & ceilings) | 4-room | $4,500–$6,000 |
| Full interior demolition | 5-room / EA | $5,500–$7,000 |
| Structural wall hacking (with HDB approval) | Per wall | $1,200–$3,500 |
All prices include debris removal. Based on 2025 Singapore market rates.
How to Prepare for Demo Day
Before demolition begins, your contractor will need:
- Access to the flat (keys or access code)
- Lift booking confirmation from the HDB town council (contractor typically handles this)
- Written confirmation from building management for heavy equipment or large debris removal
- For structural works: HDB approval letter
On the day itself: common corridor and lift protection will be installed before works begin. All demolition debris is bagged, removed, and transported — you will not be left to arrange waste disposal yourself.
Choosing the Right BTO Demolition Contractor
Not all hacking contractors in Singapore are equal. When choosing one for your BTO, check for:
- BCA registration — required for structural works and HDB submissions
- Written quotation — never accept a verbal estimate
- Debris removal included — confirm this explicitly in the quote
- Lift and town council management — a good contractor handles all of this
- Timeline guarantee — get a firm completion date in writing