House painting in Singapore

House painting in Singapore ranges from touching up a single wall to repainting a whole HDB flat or condo. Prices depend on the area, the condition of the walls, the paint chosen and how much preparation is needed. Ask for a written quote that names the paint, the number of coats and the preparation work, then compare like with like.

Decide what you want painted

Start by listing the rooms and surfaces. Walls, ceilings, doors, door frames, window grilles and gates each take different time and materials. A painter can quote more accurately when you say which surfaces are included and which colours you want.

Note any problem areas. Damp patches, peeling paint, mould, cracks and stains need treatment before painting, or the new paint can fail quickly. Point these out and ask how the painter will deal with them. Water stains from a leak should be fixed at the source first; the leak repair guide explains how.

Preparation matters most

Most of the quality in a paint job comes from preparation. This includes moving or covering furniture, protecting floors, filling holes and cracks, sanding rough areas, treating mould and applying a sealer or primer where needed. A low quote may skip some of these steps.

Ask each painter to describe the preparation it includes. If walls have mould, ask how it will be treated before painting. If you are changing from a dark colour to a light one, ask how many coats are needed to cover it evenly.

Choosing the paint

Paint for Singapore homes should cope with heat and humidity. Many households choose an interior emulsion for walls and ceilings, with anti-mould or easy-wash properties for kitchens, bathrooms and children's rooms. Doors, grilles and gates often need a different type of paint suited to timber or metal.

Ask the painter to name the brand and product in the quote, not only the colour. Different product ranges from the same brand can vary a lot in finish and durability. If you buy the paint yourself, check with the painter how much is needed and whether the price changes.

HDB and condo considerations

Painting inside your own flat is a common renovation job, but building rules on noise, working hours and the use of common areas still apply. Check the HDB information on renovations for the current guidance, and ask your condo management office about contractor registration, lift protection and permitted hours.

Painting the corridor-facing side of a main door or gate may be subject to rules about colour or common areas. Check before asking the painter to include it. Painting external walls or common property is normally handled by the Town Council or management, not by residents.

HDB painting prices

Searches for an HDB painting price, such as the cost of painting a four-room flat, usually find package prices by flat type. Packages differ in whether ceilings, doors and grilles are included, how many colours are allowed, the paint product and the number of coats. Compare packages on those points before comparing totals.

The published rates further down this page come from company websites in the HomezyPro directory, one matching rate per company with its source and capture date. They are advertised starting points, so check what each one includes and the flat size it applies to.

• Which rooms, ceilings, doors and grilles are included?
• Which paint brand and product, and how many coats?
• How many colours are included before extra charges apply?
• What preparation is included, such as filling cracks or treating mould?
• Is furniture moving and floor protection included?
• What is the warranty on workmanship, and is GST included?

Planning the job around your home

Painting a lived-in home takes planning. Decide whether you will move out for a few days or have the work done room by room. Ask the painter how long each room takes and how long the paint needs before furniture goes back. Keep windows open and the room ventilated while paint dries.

If you are also renovating, painting usually comes near the end, after carpentry and electrical work but before final cleaning. The post-renovation cleaning guide explains how to time the clean.

Checking the finished work

Inspect the walls in daylight and with the lights on. Look for patchy coverage, drips, brush marks, paint on switches and sockets, and missed areas behind doors. Point these out before the painter leaves, and agree when touch-ups will be done.

Keep a small amount of leftover paint labelled with the room and product, so future marks can be touched up with an exact match.

Painting questions

How long does it take to paint an HDB flat?

It depends on the flat size, the number of rooms and ceilings, the preparation needed and the number of painters. Ask each company for an estimate based on your list of rooms and photos of the walls.

Do I need to move my furniture before painting?

Many painters move and cover furniture as part of the job, but some expect you to clear the rooms. Ask what is included, and move fragile or valuable items yourself.

Can painting fix mould on the walls?

Paint alone does not fix mould. The cause, such as a leak or poor ventilation, should be addressed, and the mould treated before painting. Ask the painter how it will treat mould and whether an anti-mould paint is suitable.

Is it cheaper to buy the paint myself?

Sometimes, but painters often include paint in a package price. If you buy it, ask the painter how much is needed and whether its labour price changes. Make sure the product suits the surface.