Renovation can be exciting. It can also mess up your daily life.
For homeowners in Singapore who are doing a home renovation, especially those living in resale flats, staying in the house during the work may not be a good idea. There will be noise, dust, hacking blocked bathrooms, wet works, strong chemical smells, power cuts and limited access to kitchens and toilets.
That is why planning where you will live temporarily before the renovation begins is very important. You might stay with family rent an apartment or stay at home if only minor jobs are being done. The best option depends on the size of your renovation how many people are in your household, your budget and your daily schedule.
This guide looks at the temporary living options available to Singapore homeowners, during renovation.
Option | Best For | Main Benefit |
|---|---|---|
Staying with family | Budget-conscious homeowners | Saves rental cost |
Serviced apartment | Families needing comfort | Fully furnished and convenient |
Hotel stay | Short renovation periods | Simple and flexible |
Co-living space | Singles or couples | Lower commitment and furnished rooms |
Long-term rental | Longer renovation timelines | More stable living arrangement |
Staying in during renovation | Minor renovation works | Avoids moving out |
Splitting stays | Families with different needs | Helps manage cost and convenience |
There is no one perfect option for every homeowner. The best choice is the one that keeps your daily life manageable while renovation work continues safely.
Staying with family is usually the way to save money.
This is a choice if the time you need to renovate is not long if your family has enough room and if your everyday life won’t be too disturbed. It can also help people who want to spend money on the renovation work itself.
Good For
Things To Consider
If you choose this option, discuss the expected renovation duration clearly with your family. It is also good to prepare a buffer in case the project takes longer than planned.
A serviced apartment is a comfy place to stay while your home is being fixed. The apartment usually comes with furniture, a simple kitchen, amd place to wash clothes and housekeeping help.
Good For
Things To Consider
A serviced apartment may cost more, but it can reduce stress if your renovation involves major works and you need proper daily living facilities.
A hotel can make sense if your renovation is quick or if you only need a place to stay during the parts of the work.
For instance some homeowners might leave their home for the really dirty stages, like hacking into walls, laying tiles, painting or doing any job that involves strong chemicals. Then they come back once things are cleaner. The house feels safer and more livable again.
Good For
Things To Consider
Hotels are convenient, but they may not be the most cost-efficient choice for full-home renovations that take several weeks or months.
Co-living spaces offer a choice for singles, couples or homeowners who do not need a full apartment while a renovation is underway. Co-living spaces are usually furnished and may include shared facilities such as a kitchen area, a lounge or a laundry space; I have seen many people use them because they find it convenient. Some co-living spaces also provide stay arrangements depending on the operator.
Good For
Things To Consider
This option can be useful if you want a ready-to-stay place without furnishing a temporary rental unit.
If your renovation will last months a longer rental arrangement might feel more comfortable. The advice is especially useful, for resale renovations, full-home overhauls or families who cannot stay with relatives. A rental unit offers privacy and stability yet a rental unit can need more planning and a higher upfront cost.
Good For
Things To Consider
Costs can increase if renovation is delayed
For Singapore homeowners, it is important to check minimum rental rules before assuming a very short lease is possible. Private residential rentals generally have a minimum stay period, and HDB room or flat rentals also have minimum lease rules.
Not every renovation requires moving out.
If the works are minor and do not affect essential areas such as bathrooms, kitchen access, sleeping areas or electrical supply, some homeowners may choose to stay in the home.
This May Work For
This May Not Work For
If you plan to stay in, ask your contractor how the work area will be protected, whether dust control is possible and which parts of the home will be inaccessible.
Some homeowners use a mixed arrangement instead of one fixed option.
For example, they may stay with family for most of the renovation, book a hotel during the noisiest or dustiest stages, then return home after major works are done.
Possible Split-Stay Plans
This can help manage cost while still giving you a safer and more comfortable place to stay during the most disruptive stages.
Before renovation starts, plan your temporary stay together with your renovation timeline.
Preparation Checklist
It is also useful to keep one bag of essentials ready, including chargers, medication, toiletries, work items, clothes and important documents.
Renovation timelines can shift because of site conditions delays, in getting materials late decisions or extra work that needs to be fixed. Even if your ID or contractor shares an estimated finish date don’t lock in your move-in plans closely. There’s still a lot that can come up after the construction is done. Like cleaning letting the air circulate to reduce odors bringing in furniture installing appliances and doing finishing touches. It’s best to leave some buffer time in case.
A Practical Buffer Can Help With
If possible, avoid moving in the day after handover. Giving yourself extra time can make the final move less stressful.
For BTO Homeowners
BTO homeowners usually do not need to move out of an existing home unless they are already living elsewhere and waiting to move in.
What To Plan
BTO renovation can still take several weeks, so plan your move-in date with some flexibility.
For Resale Homeowners
Resale homeowners are more likely to need temporary accommodation, especially if the flat is being fully renovated.
What To Plan
Resale renovation can involve more dust, debris and site surprises, so moving out is often more practical for full-home works.
Temporary living may feel like a small part of renovation planning, but it can affect your comfort, budget and stress level throughout the project.
Get 3 to 5 custom renovation quotes from Singapore interior design and renovation companies through Renomoji. Look at renovation schedules, what is included, planning tips and price details before choosing which company to work with.
Renomoji, the trusted way to connect with the interior design and renovation professionals, in Singapore.
It depends on the renovation scope. For full-home renovation, hacking, toilet rebuilding, kitchen works or rewiring, moving out is usually more comfortable and safer.
Yes, if the works are small and do not affect essential areas like your bathroom, kitchen, bedroom or electrical supply.
It depends on your budget, family size and renovation timeline. Staying with family is usually the most affordable, while serviced apartments offer more comfort.
Singapore has minimum stay rules for residential rentals, so very short private home rentals may not be allowed. Always check the rules before booking.
A hotel can work for short stays or the messiest renovation stages, but it may become expensive for longer timelines.
Yes, it is safer to include buffer time for delays, cleaning, final touch-ups and furniture deliveries.
Pack daily clothes, toiletries, chargers, medication, work items, important documents and valuables. Keep renovation documents easy to access.
It is usually not ideal during noisy, dusty or chemical-heavy works. Arrange pet care or pet-friendly accommodation if needed.
Built Just for #HDB Homes in Singapore
