How Much Does It Cost to Repaint an HDB Flat in Singapore?
The question we get most on WhatsApp is some version of "how much to repaint my whole flat?" Most painting websites answer with "contact us for a quote". This page answers it properly: our full HDB painting price list, what each package includes, and what pushes the cost up or down.
What Goes Into the Price
HDB painting prices in Singapore are not really "per room". The size of your flat sets the base rate. The condition of your walls and how much work happens before painting decide the rest. These are the five things that change the price of a painting job:
- Floor area. Total wall and ceiling area matters more than the number of rooms. A 5-room flat has more surface to cover than a 3-room flat, so it needs more paint and more hours.
- How much needs clearing and covering. A fully furnished flat takes longer than an empty one. Furniture has to be moved, covered and put back, and that setup time is part of the labour. This is why painting between tenants or before moving in is the cheapest time to do it.
- Whether the walls need primer or sealer. We usually apply primer when there is a mould problem, or on older HDB flats being repainted after many years. It helps the new paint stick properly and last longer. Walls in good condition can skip this step, which is the most common reason two same-size flats get different quotes.
- Patching and repairs. Hairline cracks, nail holes, flaking paint and old water stains get filled, sanded or sealed before painting starts. More repairs means more days on site.
- Number of coats. A proper paint job is two coats. Going from a dark wall to a light colour can need a third coat, which adds some paint and time.
Add these up and you get the man-days the job takes. That is what the price is built on. The paint tier you pick then decides durability and how many colours you get.
Our Actual Rates
Here is our current HDB painting price list for a whole-flat repaint. Rates are banded by floor area because that tracks the real work involved. Prep and clean-up are the same at every tier. The difference between tiers is the paint on your walls.
| Flat type | BudgetMatexWhite only | ValueVinilex 50001 colour | Our pickStandardEasywash & CleanUp to 4 colours | PremiumUltra DurableUp to 4 colours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Room Flat Under 600 sqft | 599 | 699 | 799 | 1,099 |
| 3-Room Flat 600 – 900 sqft | 749 | 899 | 999 | 1,349 |
| 4-Room Flat 900 – 1,100 sqft | 899 | 1,049 | 1,199 | 1,599 |
| 5-Room Flat 1,100 – 1,300 sqft | 1,049 | 1,249 | 1,399 | 1,799 |
| Executive Apartment 1,300 – 1,700 sqft | 1,249 | 1,499 | 1,699 | 2,149 |
| Maisonette 1,700 – 2,000 sqft | 1,499 | 1,799 | 1,999 | 2,499 |
Swipe the table sideways to see all four tiers →
Every package includes labour, the paint shown, furniture moving and covering, patching of small cracks and holes, white ceilings, and full clean-up. Condos, landed homes and rooms-only jobs are quoted separately on WhatsApp.
What Each Tier Gets You
Prep, protection, patching and clean-up are the same at every tier. What you are choosing is the paint: how tough it is, how easily it wipes clean, and how many colours you can use. These are the four Nippon paints we work with and who each one suits.
Nippon Matex
Included: white only · matt finish
A reliable matt white with anti-mould protection. Good coverage and low odour at the lowest price point. It scuffs more easily than the higher tiers, so it works best for rental units, low-traffic rooms, or a quick refresh before handing over keys.
Nippon Vinilex 5000
Included: 1 colour · matt finish
Smoother coverage than Matex, easy touch-ups, and you get to pick an actual colour. It resists fungus growth and handles daily wear well. A sensible choice for owner-occupied flats on a tighter budget.
Easywash & Clean
Included: up to 4 colours · washable matt
The tier we recommend for most homes. Almost no paint odour and near zero VOC, so you can sleep in the flat much sooner after painting. The washable finish means fingerprints and light marks come off with a damp cloth. Up to four colours covers a feature wall plus different tones per room.
Odour-less Ultra Durable
Included: up to 4 colours · low sheen
The toughest paint we use. Excellent stain resistance and washability, plus anti-bacterial and anti-mould protection. It stands up to repeated scrubbing, so crayon and sauce marks lift off without leaving a shadow. Worth it for young families and high-touch walls.
Not sure which to pick? A common approach is Premium in the kitchen and children's rooms, Standard everywhere else. We will walk you through it at the free site visit and only suggest a higher tier where it earns its cost.
Questions to Ask Any Painter Before You Commit
Whoever you hire, ask for an itemised quote that separates labour, materials and add-ons like limewash or specialty finishes. A single lump-sum number makes it hard to know what you are paying for, and impossible to compare painting quotes fairly.
Worth confirming upfront:
- Is surface prep (filling, sanding, priming) included, or billed separately?
- How many coats are included in the quoted price?
- What happens if hidden damage (e.g. water stains, mould) is found once work starts?
- Is furniture moving / covering included?
Why Transparent Pricing Matters
Vague quotes are one of the main reasons homeowners feel burned after a paint job. Our pricing is built on man-day counts, so every number can be explained line by line.
The rates on this page are real and current. We confirm the final price at the free site visit for one reason: to check the things that genuinely change the job. That means how much patching your walls need, whether there are water stains to seal, and how much furniture we will be working around. Nothing gets added quietly after.
Common Questions
Is painting cheaper if my flat is empty?
Generally yes, in the sense that it's faster. An empty flat has no furniture to move, cover and shift back, which removes setup and reset time. If you're painting between tenants or before moving into a new place, that's the cheapest moment to do it.
Do you charge extra for ceilings?
No. White ceilings are included in our whole-home rates. We'd always recommend including them: developer and older ceiling coats are usually the thinnest paint in the flat, and a fresh ceiling is what makes new wall colour read properly.
What if my flat is bigger than the sizes in your table?
Our published bands cover most HDB layouts. If your unit is larger, or it's a condo, landed home or rooms-only job, WhatsApp us the details and we'll quote it properly rather than guess.
Why do some quotes come in much cheaper?
Usually because something's been left out: prep work, a second coat, furniture protection, or cheaper paint substituted for what was quoted. Ask for an itemised quote from everyone and compare like for like. A quote that's dramatically lower generally has a reason.
Do I need the sealer add-on?
Not always. Sealer helps new paint grip and last on walls that have never been sealed, or that have old water stains or patchy, powdery surfaces. If your walls are in good shape, you can skip it. We check at the site visit and tell you honestly whether yours would benefit. It is never added by default.
Want an actual number for your flat? WhatsApp us your flat type and a few photos and we'll send a proper itemised quote, no obligation.
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