PaintingSome Skills Needed12 min read
HDB Painting Cost Guide Singapore (2025)
Complete guide to painting your HDB flat - costs by room type, what affects pricing, DIY vs professional, and tips to get the best value.
Published January 9, 2025
Thinking of repainting your HDB flat? Here's everything you need to know about costs, what to expect, and how to get the best value.
Painting Costs by Flat Type
Professional Painting (Full Flat)
| Flat Type | Budget | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Room | $500-700 | $700-1,000 | $1,000-1,500 |
| 3-Room | $700-1,000 | $1,000-1,500 | $1,500-2,200 |
| 4-Room | $900-1,200 | $1,200-1,800 | $1,800-2,800 |
| 5-Room | $1,100-1,500 | $1,500-2,200 | $2,200-3,500 |
| Executive | $1,300-1,800 | $1,800-2,800 | $2,800-4,500 |
What's Included
Budget Package:
- 1 coat sealer + 2 coats emulsion paint
- Basic preparation (patching small holes)
- Standard white ceiling
- Economy paint brand
Standard Package:
- Proper wall preparation
- Quality paint (Nippon, Dulux mid-range)
- 2-3 color options
- Touch-ups included
Premium Package:
- Full wall preparation and repair
- Premium paint (Dulux Ambiance, Nippon Odourless)
- Multiple colors and feature walls
- Detailed finishing
- Longer warranty
What Affects Pricing
1. Condition of Walls
| Wall Condition | Additional Cost |
|---|---|
| Good (minor touch-ups) | Included |
| Fair (patching needed) | +$100-300 |
| Poor (extensive repair) | +$300-800 |
| Water damage/mold | +$500-1,500 |
2. Paint Quality
| Paint Tier | Cost per Gallon | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | $30-50 | ~100 sqft |
| Mid-range | $50-80 | ~120 sqft |
| Premium | $80-150 | ~130 sqft |
| Specialty | $100-200+ | Varies |
Popular brands in Singapore:
- Nippon Paint - Most popular, wide range
- Dulux - Good quality, slightly pricier
- SKK - Japanese brand, premium options
- Jotun - Scandinavian, known for durability
3. Number of Colors
- Single color: Base price
- 2-3 colors: +$50-150
- Feature walls: +$80-200 per wall
- Accent details: +$50-100
4. Ceiling Work
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| White ceiling (included) | - |
| Colored ceiling | +$100-200 |
| Textured ceiling | +$200-400 |
| High ceiling (>3m) | +20-30% |
5. Special Requirements
- Odourless paint: +$100-300
- Anti-mold paint (bathrooms): +$50-100
- Washable paint: +$50-150
- Weekend work: +$100-200
Room-by-Room Pricing
| Room | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Master bedroom | $150-350 | Depends on size |
| Common bedroom | $120-280 | |
| Living room | $200-450 | Usually largest |
| Kitchen | $150-300 | May need special paint |
| Bathroom | $80-180 | Anti-mold recommended |
| Corridor/entrance | $80-150 |
DIY vs Professional
DIY Painting
Costs:
- Paint (5-gallon): $150-400
- Supplies (brushes, rollers, tape): $50-100
- Total: $200-500
Time required:
- 3-room flat: 3-5 days
- 4-room flat: 4-7 days
Pros:
- Significant cost savings
- Control over timing
- Satisfaction of doing it yourself
Cons:
- Time-consuming
- Quality may suffer
- Physical labor
- Prep work is tedious
When to DIY
Good for DIY:
- Single room touch-up
- Simple color change
- Good wall condition
- You have experience
Better to hire pro:
- Full flat repaint
- Wall repairs needed
- Multiple colors/feature walls
- Limited time
Hiring a Painter
What to Look For
- Portfolio - Ask for photos of recent work
- Reviews - Check Google, Facebook reviews
- Warranty - Minimum 1 year workmanship
- Insurance - Covered for accidents
- Timeline - Clear schedule
Red Flags
- Won't provide written quote
- Asks for >50% deposit
- No warranty offered
- Significantly below market rate
- Pressure to decide immediately
Questions to Ask
- What paint brands do you use?
- How many coats included?
- What wall prep is included?
- How long is the warranty?
- What's not included in the quote?
Timeline
| Flat Type | Duration |
|---|---|
| 2-Room | 2-3 days |
| 3-Room | 3-4 days |
| 4-Room | 4-5 days |
| 5-Room | 5-7 days |
Add extra time for:
- Extensive repairs: +1-3 days
- Multiple colors: +1-2 days
- Drying between coats: Built into schedule
Preparation Checklist
Before Painters Arrive
- Move or cover furniture
- Remove wall decorations
- Clear floor space
- Secure valuables
- Inform neighbors
During Painting
- Ensure ventilation
- Keep children/pets away
- Check work daily
- Note any issues
After Completion
- Inspect all walls
- Check corners and edges
- Test for touch-ups
- Get warranty documentation
Tips for Best Value
- Get 3 quotes - Compare itemized breakdowns
- Paint off-peak - Avoid CNY and moving seasons
- Bundle services - Some offer discounts with other work
- Choose wisely - Mid-range paint often best value
- Prep yourself - Clear rooms to reduce labor time
- Time it right - Allow proper drying between coats
Sources
- NEA Indoor Air Quality - VOC emissions and paint safety
- HDB Renovation Guidelines - HDB painting regulations
- Singapore Green Label - Eco-friendly paint certification
- Nippon Paint Singapore - Product specifications and coverage
- Dulux Singapore - Paint selection guides
- CASE Consumer Tips - Hiring painting contractors
Prices are based on market research from verified service providers as of January 2025. Actual costs may vary.
Need your HDB painted? Use our Quote Wizard to get quotes from verified painters in Singapore.