HDB renovation permit for hacking walls and tiles
Any wall you want to hack in an HDB flat needs HDB’s written approval first. Here’s what needs a permit, who applies, and the rules that catch homeowners out.
Updated 26 October 2026
In short: You need HDB's written approval before hacking any wall in an HDB flat, fully or partly. Your HDB-registered (DRC) contractor applies online and you sign the acknowledgement form. Hacking is a noisy work allowed only 9am–5pm on weekdays, and structural walls can never be removed.
In this guide
Do you need a permit to hack a wall in an HDB flat?
Yes. HDB requires its prior written approval for all demolition and hacking of walls, whether you remove the whole wall or only part of it. Starting before the permit is issued can lead HDB to order you to restore the flat at your own cost, and it can also lead to prosecution.
The approval is applied for by your renovation contractor, not by you. HDB requires homeowners to use a contractor listed in its Directory of Renovation Contractors (DRC) for all renovation work, including work that doesn’t need a permit.
Which walls can be hacked
| Wall type | Can it be hacked? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Lightweight walls: hollow block, brick, drywall | Usually yes, with HDB approval | Demolition only up to the underside of the beam or slab above, working from the top down |
| Non-load-bearing reinforced concrete (RC) walls | Sometimes, with HDB approval | A Professional Engineer must supervise the demolition |
| Structural walls, columns, beams and slabs | No | Structural members must not be tampered with |
The beam above a removed wall stays. Plan your layout and ceiling design around it rather than assuming the ceiling will be flat.
How the application works
- Mark up the plan. Your contractor marks walls to be demolished in red and new walls in blue on the floor plan.
- Contractor submits online. The DRC contractor applies through HDB’s e-services and includes the details of the certified worker who will do the hacking.
- You acknowledge. As the flat owner you sign HDB’s acknowledgement form for the application.
- HDB evaluates. Wall demolition needs an evaluation, so allow time before your planned start date.
- Start only after approval. Works begin once the permit is issued, within the approved scope.
HDB also requires hacking to be done by certified workers, meaning workers who hold a BCA Academy certificate in demolition works for renovation contractors.
When hacking is allowed: noisy-work hours
- Noisy works, including hacking walls, cutting tiles, drilling and removing floor or wall finishes, are allowed from 9am to 5pm on weekdays only.
- No noisy works on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays.
- Noisy works should not run for more than three consecutive days.
- Only two approved hand-held power tools, or equivalent, may be used at once for demolition.
- Your contractor must give your immediate neighbours notice at least three days before renovation starts.
The 3-year rule for bathroom tiles
New flats have a waterproofing membrane between the screed and the bathroom tiles. HDB only allows the bathroom floor finishes to be replaced after the first three years from the block’s completion, and the new floor must be waterproofed to HDB’s conditions. Before that, you can overlay new tiles on top of the existing ones with adhesive, within HDB’s thickness limit.
What the permit doesn't cover
- Structural changes: no permit makes these allowed.
- Condominiums: private condos are governed by the management corporation’s by-laws and renovation rules, not HDB.
- Commercial units: HDB shops and offices have separate renovation guidelines for tenants. Moving out of one? See retail and F&B reinstatement.
Planning a hacking job
- Decide which walls and floors go, and mark them on the floor plan. Removing floor tiles too? See hacking floor tiles: cost and time.
- Ask your contractor to confirm each wall type before you design around its removal.
- Allow time for HDB’s evaluation before booking follow-on trades.
- Plan noisy works into weekday slots of no more than three days in a row.
- Agree debris disposal and lift protection with the contractor upfront.
Rules change from time to time, so check HDB’s current renovation guidelines or ask your DRC contractor before starting. Sources: HDB renovation information and HDB building works guidelines.
Common mistakes that delay or void approval
- Assuming a wall is non-structural. Some walls that look like partitions are reinforced concrete. Confirm the wall type before finalising the design.
- Booking follow-on trades too early. Carpentry and tiling dates slip if HDB’s evaluation takes longer than expected.
- Hacking beyond the approved scope. The permit covers what was marked on the plan. Extra openings need a fresh application.
- Weekend hacking. Noisy works on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays breach HDB’s rules and invite complaints.
- Skipping neighbour notice. The contractor must notify immediate neighbours at least three days before work starts.
For the most common permit job, see kitchen hacking in Singapore.
Related guides
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Questions we get asked
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Can I apply for the HDB renovation permit myself?
The application for hacking is submitted by your HDB-registered renovation contractor. You sign the acknowledgement form as the owner.
Can I hack my BTO kitchen tiles?
Kitchen tile hacking is a noisy work that must follow HDB’s rules and hours. Bathroom floor finishes have an extra condition: they can only be replaced after three years from the block’s completion.
What happens if I hack a wall without a permit?
HDB can require you to reinstate the flat to its original condition at your own cost, and unauthorised works can be prosecuted.
Can hacking be done on Saturday?
No. Noisy works such as hacking are only allowed from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.
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