LayeredRenovation terms explained: a glossary for Singapore homeowners
Renovation quotes and contracts are full of shorthand. Here are the terms Singapore homeowners meet most often, in plain English. Firms use some of them slightly differently, so if a word in your quote is unclear, ask what it covers. For the whole process, read our beginner's guide.
Your home and the paperwork
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| BTO | Build-To-Order flat, a new HDB flat you buy before it is built. |
| Resale flat | An HDB flat bought from a current owner, usually older and often needing more work. |
| Key collection | The day you collect the keys to a new BTO flat, when you can start renovating. |
| HDB renovation permit | Approval from HDB for certain works in a flat, applied for through a registered contractor. |
| HDB-registered contractor | A contractor on HDB's list, required for works that need a permit. |
| MCST | Management Corporation Strata Title, the body that runs a condo and sets its renovation rules. |
| Renovation deposit | A refundable sum many condos ask for before works begin, returned if common areas are left undamaged. |
| CaseTrust | An accreditation by the Consumers Association of Singapore for businesses with consumer safeguards. See CaseTrust explained. |
People and ways of hiring
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| ID (interior designer) firm | A firm that designs, manages and often builds. Also called design-and-build. |
| Contractor | A business that carries out the construction work to a design or brief. |
| Renovation package | A fixed scope at a set price, with extras charged separately. |
| Subcontractor | A specialist (electrician, tiler, carpenter) hired by the main firm. |
| Project manager | The person who coordinates trades and schedules on site. |
The works
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Hacking | Breaking out old tiles, screed, cabinets or non-structural walls. |
| Wet works | Work using water-based materials: waterproofing, screeding, tiling. |
| Waterproofing | A membrane applied in wet areas such as bathrooms to stop leaks. |
| Screed | A thin layer of cement leveling the floor before tiling. |
| Overlay | Laying new tiles or flooring over existing ones instead of hacking them off. |
| Electrical point | One socket, switch or light connection. Quotes often count and price points. |
| False ceiling | A lowered ceiling that hides pipes and wiring and holds lights. |
| Cove light | Hidden lighting set into a ceiling edge or recess. |
| Built-in carpentry | Cabinets and wardrobes made to fit your home, as opposed to loose furniture. |
| Feet run (ft run) | A way of pricing carpentry by length of cabinet in feet. |
Materials
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Laminate | A durable printed surface bonded to a board. See laminate vs veneer vs solid wood. |
| Veneer | A thin slice of real wood glued to a board. |
| Quartz | An engineered stone often used for kitchen countertops. |
| Vinyl flooring | Plank flooring in plastic-based materials that often imitates timber. See HDB flooring options. |
| Homogeneous tile | A dense tile with the same material and color all the way through. |
Money and contracts
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Quotation | The firm's priced offer. See how to read a quotation. |
| Provisional sum (PS) | A placeholder amount for something not yet specified. |
| Variation order (VO) | A signed change to the scope, with its price. |
| Deposit | The first payment, paid on signing. Keep it small. |
| Progress payment | A payment tied to a finished stage of the work. |
| Retention | A final portion held back until defects are fixed. |
| Defects liability period (DLP) | The period after handover when the firm must fix defects. See the DLP explained. |
| Punch list | The signed list of defects found at handover, with dates for fixing them. |
| Handover | The point where the finished home is inspected and accepted. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between hacking and wet works?
Hacking is breaking out old finishes. Wet works are the water-based tasks that follow, such as waterproofing, screeding and tiling.
What is a provisional sum in a renovation quote?
A placeholder amount for an item that has not been specified yet. Ask what it covers and who pays if the real cost differs.
What does DLP mean?
DLP stands for defects liability period, the time after handover when the firm must fix defects at its own cost, as set out in your contract.
What is a variation order?
A written change to the agreed scope with its price. Approve each one in writing before the work is done.
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