The Renovation Timeline Contractors Won’t Tell You

‍

If you’ve ever been promised a six-week renovation, you’re not alone — and you probably know how that story ends.

‍

In Singapore’s renovation landscape, it’s common within the industry to promise unrealistic speed to secure a job. This can be due to unrealistic expectations from the different parties/ stakeholders involved (builders , designers, vendors and clients), lack of proper planning/ sequencing of work, or lack of communication, amongst others. And while renovation is a living process where surprises can happen, one thing holds true:

‍

A rushed or unrealistic timeline always leads to stress, delays, and costly mistakes.

‍

At Loren Ng Designs, we prioritise clarity from the very beginning. That means giving homeowners a realistic, high-quality renovation timeline — not the kind of wishful one you often hear during quotations.

‍

‍

‍

Why Renovation Takes Time

‍

‍

‍

‍

Renovation is not simply about “getting workers in as fast as possible.” It involves multiple trades working in a precise sequence, each dependent on the stage before it. When this sequencing is rushed or shortcuts are taken, issues arise — sometimes months after moving in.

‍

Some of the most common defects caused by rushing include:

‍

• Hollow Tiles
  
  
• Waterproofing Failure
  
  
• Uneven Floors
  
  
• Misaligned Carpentry
  
  
• Electrical Issues
  
  
• Expensive Rework
  
  

Good renovation is never about speed.

‍

It is about planning, coordination, curing time, and quality checks.

‍

‍

‍

⭐ A Bonus Read for You

‍

‍

To understand why planning determines most of your renovation outcome, read Part 2: Why Planning Ahead Determines 90% of Your Renovation Success.

‍

‍

‍

1. Planning & Design: 6–8 Weeks

‍

‍

‍

‍

Before a single tile is hacked, the groundwork must be set. This phase is the foundation of your entire renovation and affects every decision downstream.

‍

It includes:

‍

• Space Planning
  
• Detailed Construction Drawings
  
• Carpentry Drawings
  
• Electrical & Lighting Layout
  
• Tile Alignment
  
• Ceiling Coordination
  
• Material Selection & Orders

‍

Some contractors prefer to “decide on-site”, but decisions made in dust, noise, and rush rarely lead to good outcomes. Proper planning prevents 90% of mismatches and defects.

‍

Clear planning prevents misalignment, and unnecessary changes that slow down the project.

‍

‍

‍

2. Construction (Full Gut Renovation): 12–16 Weeks

‍

‍

‍

‍

For apartments around 1,000 sqft and above, a realistic timeline looks like this:

‍

Weeks 1–2 — Hacking & Haulage

‍

Removal of existing finishes, MCST (Management Corporation Strata Title)/ HDB (Housing & Development Board) approvals, debris clearing.

Proper demolition ensures accurate measurements later.

‍

Weeks 3–6 — Masonry

‍

Waterproofing (curing + testing), tiling, screeding, levelling. This determines long-term durability.

Good curing prevents leaks and surface issues.

‍

Weeks 6–10 — Electrical, Plumbing & Aircon

‍

Routing must follow the drawings and future furniture layout. Correct placement avoids costly adjustments later.

‍

Weeks 10–14 — Carpentry Fabrication + Site Prep

‍

3–5 weeks fabrication off-site while on-site prep continues (plastering, ceiling, measurements).

Accurate measurements ensure carpentry fits perfectly.

‍

Weeks 14–16 — Installation & Final Fix

‍

Carpentry installation, sanitary fittings, lights, mirrors/glass, paint touch-ups, alignment checks, final testing.

‍Our gentle reminder: “Good workmanship takes time — especially when precision is required.”

‍

‍

‍

3. Retrofitting Works: 4–6 Weeks

‍

‍

Even for smaller projects that don’t involve hacking, a realistic timeline is still four to six weeks.
Carpentry fabrication, painting, lighting changes, and coordination between trades still require sequencing.

‍

“Small project” does not mean “fast project” — it simply means fewer trades, not instant completion.

‍

‍

‍

4. Move-In: 1–2 Weeks

‍

‍

‍

‍

Once construction is completed, the final stage makes the home feel truly livable:

‍

• Professional Post-Renovation Deep Cleaning
  
• Delivery and Placement of Loose Furniture
  
• Curtain Installation
  
• Styling and Soft Furnishings
  
• Snagging, Alignment Checks, and Rectification

‍

This stage ensures the home looks polished and functions smoothly before handover.

‍

‍

‍

Why the Details Matter

‍

‍

‍

‍

Most renovation issues—misaligned tiles, awkward switch placement, off-centre carpentry—happen because details weren’t planned early. Without proper drawings, workers guess, and their guess rarely matches your vision.

‍

This is why you’re not paying for “tiling” or “painting.”

‍
You’re paying for clarity, coordination, detailing, workmanship, and accountability—the things that make a home feel refined and last for years.

‍

Renovation is dynamic; issues can arise. What matters is how your builder responds. We communicate, correct, and stay accountable.

‍

We’ve proven this approach works: in our project awarded as ‘the most inviting home’ in Home & Decor, months of planning and careful verification enabled us to complete construction and move-in smoothly—even with complex challenges. When planning is strong, execution becomes a checklist, not chaos.

‍

‍

‍

The Heart of It All

‍

‍

‍

‍

A real renovation is not fast —
but it is honest, structured, and built to last.

‍

Fast promises lead to frustration.
Good planning leads to clarity, beauty, and peace of mind.

‍

At Loren Ng Designs, we don’t promise fast.
We promise right.
And that makes all the difference.

‍

📩 ask@lorenngdesigns.com
📷 @loren_ng_designs

‍

Posted by :