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HDB Shop Renovation Cost Singapore (2026): Shophouse and Commercial Unit Prices

By ifix.sg by Trends Interior Design Pte Ltd (UEN 200408913Z) · Last updated 5 Nov 2026 · Sources cited below

Short answer: For HDB shophouses and HDB commercial units, published 2026 guides put a strip-and-rebuild for a new tenant at about S$30,000–S$80,000, and basic heartland shop fit-outs at about S$80–S$120 per sq ft. HDB approval through a Qualified Person, typically about 14 working days for A&A works, must come before work starts.

How much does it cost to renovate an HDB shop in 2026?

This guide covers HDB commercial premises only: HDB shophouses, shops in HDB estates and units in HDB shopping and office complexes. It does not cover residential flats. HDB shops follow their own approval rules on top of the usual commercial renovation costs.

The ranges below come from publicly published Singapore guides. They are indicative ranges from other firms, not a ifix.sg quotation, and usually exclude GST and equipment.

We found no HDB-specific per-sq-ft survey. The per-sq-ft rows are general retail figures that one published guide says cover heartland shops [6]. Our price for your HDB shop is quote on request. If your shop will be a clinic, salon, tuition centre or F&B outlet, the trade-specific works usually cost more; see the related guides below.

What approvals does an HDB shop renovation need?

HDB prior approval

Under the Tenancy Agreement for rental shops, or the Memorandum of Lease for sold shops, shop tenants and owners must get HDB's prior approval before fitting-out works start [2]. HDB says this avoids the cost and time of undoing works that are not permitted [2].

Qualified Person and CORENET submission

Renovation applications must be made by a Qualified Person (QP), a registered architect or professional engineer. The QP submits through CORENET and obtains clearances from HDB, BCA and the Fire Safety and Shelter Department (FSSD) before work starts [1][2]. For units in HDB shopping and office complexes, HDB asks you to approach the managing agent [1].

Processing times and the Notice of Alteration

HDB's published processing times are [1]:

In every case, works involving hacking or laying wall or floor tiles need a Notice of Alteration (NOA) before they start [1]. Lodgement works and A&A items involving hacking can only begin after HDB approval [1].

HDB-registered contractors

HDB's renovation guide requires alteration and addition works to use licensed contractors listed in HDB's Directory of Renovation Contractors [2].

Change of trade and change of use

The trade you run is part of your HDB tenancy. Changing the trade or tenancy details of an HDB commercial property is a separate application through GoBusiness [4]. HDB also publishes guidance on change of use and permissible trades for its shops [3]. Confirm the new trade is approved before you renovate for it.

Fire safety

Fire safety works, such as layout changes affecting escape routes or fire compartments, need SCDF plan approval unless exempt or lodged as minor works [8]. For HDB shops, the QP's CORENET submission includes the FSSD clearance [2].

What does an HDB shop fit-out usually include?

Published shop renovation scopes cover the shopfront, signage, lighting, display joinery, flooring, partitions and the POS counter [7]. A takeover also includes strip-out of the previous tenant's fit-out, debris disposal and making good before the new works [6][7]. Depending on your trade, add:

• F&B: exhaust, grease trap, gas and food-shop layout (F&B guide)
• Clinic: infection-control finishes, sterilisation room and plumbing (clinic guide)
• Salon: wash basins, water heaters, waterproofing and high-load power (salon guide)
• Tuition centre: classroom partitions, acoustics and fire safety (tuition centre guide)

What drives HDB shop renovation cost?

1. Condition of the unit. Taking over a unit and stripping it out costs more than refreshing an existing layout [6][7].
2. Your trade. F&B, clinic and salon trades need more plumbing, exhaust and electrical work than dry retail.
3. Shopfront and signage. Shopfront works and signboards add cost. Works affecting the shopfront need HDB approval [6][7].
4. Hacking and tiling. These trigger the NOA and often need more labour and debris disposal [1].
5. Professional fees. The QP's submissions are usually priced separately from the contractor's works.

How long does an HDB shop renovation take?

Allow for HDB approval first, about 7–14 working days depending on the work type [1]. Then construction: one contractor gives about 3–5 weeks for an HDB shophouse takeover [7]. Trade-specific approvals, such as an SFA licence for food shops, add more time.

How can you keep HDB shop renovation costs down?

• Check the approved trade first, before signing or renovating [3][4].
• Keep existing tiles where possible. Avoiding hacking avoids the NOA and its labour [1].
• Reuse the existing layout and services for a refresh rather than a full strip-out [6].
• Use an HDB-registered contractor so approvals aren't delayed [2].
• Get itemised quotes that separate QP fees, works and signage.

What happens at the end of an HDB shop tenancy?

When the tenancy ends, HDB's guidance requires you to return the premises as required, including removing furniture, fixtures and fittings [5]. Plan the reinstatement cost from day one. A published guide puts shophouse reinstatement at S$8–S$25 per sq ft (S$4,000–S$12,500 for a 500 sq ft unit), citing MCSG [6]. MCSG separately lists retail and mall reinstatement at S$15–S$25 per sq ft [9]. For a full breakdown of commercial reinstatement costs, see our reinstatement cost Singapore guide [10].

Related renovation cost guides

Also see the clinic, salon, tuition centre and F&B guides, the commercial renovation cost guide and the partition wall cost guide.

Why talk to ifix.sg?

ifix.sg is a brand of Trends Interior Design Pte Ltd (UEN 200408913Z), a commercial-only renovation contractor since 2004, with in-house electrical, partition, ACMV and carpentry trades. We give an itemised quote after a site assessment. WhatsApp +65 9863 5364.