One of the most common oversights in HDB renovation planning is underestimating the cost of custom carpentry. Many homeowners allocate most of their budget to structural and wet works — tiling, plastering, electrical — and only realise when it’s time to do the cabinetry that they’ve run short. Getting a realistic sense of the numbers early on is the most effective way to avoid that problem.

Full-House Custom Cabinets for a 4-Room HDB: A Reference Budget

Using a standard 4-room HDB as the basis, a full custom cabinet package typically includes:

Two standard 6-foot wardrobes (one per common bedroom)
One L-shaped master bedroom wardrobe
Full kitchen upper and lower cabinets with a stone countertop
One TV console

For this configuration, a realistic market reference range is SGD 15,000 to SGD 20,000.

This range covers a standard to mid-range material specification — plywood or chipboard carcasses, standard laminate finishes, PVC interior lining, and mid-range hardware. Choosing premium materials, designer laminate patterns, imported hardware brands, or high-grade countertop materials will push the figure above this range.

Cost Breakdown by Item

Knowing the overall budget range is useful, but understanding what each component contributes helps you have a more informed conversation with your carpenter and make smarter trade-offs.

Common Bedroom Wardrobes (6-foot standard)

A standard 6-foot (approximately 183cm wide) wardrobe with sliding or hinged doors and basic internal fittings — hanging rail, shelves — comes in at roughly SGD 1,500 to SGD 2,500 per unit, depending on the material and internal accessories chosen.

Master Bedroom L-Shaped Wardrobe

The master bedroom wardrobe tends to be larger in footprint, more complex in internal layout, and uses the L-shaped configuration to make use of a corner — all of which push the cost higher than a standard wardrobe. Reference price: approximately SGD 3,000 to SGD 5,000, depending on the dimensions and internal design.

Kitchen Upper and Lower Cabinets + Stone Countertop

The kitchen is typically the most significant single line item in a full carpentry package. It includes the overhead wall cabinets (upper), the base cabinets (lower), and the countertop surface. The choice of countertop material has a meaningful impact on cost:

Quartz (engineered stone): mid-to-upper price range, highly durable, easy to clean, and currently the most popular choice
Granite: varies significantly by slab pattern and origin
Solid surface (artificial marble): lower price point but less heat-resistant

A complete kitchen cabinet set including stone countertop typically comes to roughly SGD 5,000 to SGD 8,000, depending on kitchen size and material choices.

TV Console

TV console pricing varies based on whether it’s a freestanding or floating (wall-mounted) design, whether it integrates with a full feature wall unit, and the amount of storage incorporated. A standalone console runs approximately SGD 1,200 to SGD 2,500; a full TV feature wall integration costs more.

What Drives the Price Up or Down?

Even within the same flat type, different households end up with very different quotes. The key variables:

Board material

Chipboard is cheaper than plywood, but it’s less moisture-resistant and less durable. In Singapore’s humid climate, plywood is the stronger recommendation for kitchen and bathroom-adjacent cabinetry; for bedrooms and living areas, chipboard is a reasonable cost-saving option if budget is tight.

Interior lining

Melamine paper keeps costs lower, but it tends to yellow over time. PVC interior lining is the current market standard — more durable, better-looking, and worth the modest price difference.

Hardware brand

The gap between reputable hardware brands (such as Blum or Hettich) and generic alternatives is significant in daily use. Quality hinges and drawer runners operate smoothly for years; cheaper ones may start giving problems within a year or two.

Countertop material

Kitchen countertops contribute meaningfully to the overall cost and visual impact. Discussing options with your carpenter early — including thickness, finish, and edge profile — will help you land on the right balance of aesthetics and budget.

Laminate finish and accessories

Special laminate patterns — wood grain, stone texture, high-gloss finishes — typically carry a surcharge over standard solid colours. Internal accessories like pull-out carousels, drawer dividers, and integrated lighting also add to the total.

How to Keep Your Cabinet Budget Under Control

If the total renovation budget is constrained, here are some practical ways to manage the carpentry spend without sacrificing what matters most:

Prioritise by usage frequency: The kitchen takes daily punishment and deserves better materials and hardware. Rarely-used guest room wardrobes can be specified at a more basic level.

Don’t fill every wall: Custom cabinetry to the ceiling sounds appealing but creates storage you may never use. Plan based on actual needs.

Grade your hardware selectively: Use quality hardware on the cabinets you open most often; more economical options are fine for low-frequency zones.

Lock down the design before work starts: Design changes mid-project are one of the most common sources of cost overruns. Invest time in finalising the brief before work begins.

Conclusion: SGD 15,000–20,000 as a Starting Reference for Full HDB Custom Carpentry

For a 4-room HDB, a budget of SGD 15,000 to SGD 20,000 gives you a realistic frame of reference for full custom cabinet coverage with standard-to-mid-range materials. Having this number in mind early allows you to allocate your total renovation budget properly and avoid the unpleasant situation of running out of funds before the cabinetry is done.

Every home is different, and a proper quote requires actual measurements and a confirmed material specification. If you’re planning an HDB renovation, feel free to get in touch — we’re happy to assess your space and provide a detailed, itemised quote.