How Long Does an Interior Design Project Really Take?

A Realistic Singapore Timeline (2026)

“How long will this take?” is one of the first questions every homeowner asks — and one of the hardest to answer honestly in a single number, because the real answer depends on property type, scope, and how early key decisions get locked in.

Here's a realistic, stage-by-stage breakdown for BTO, resale HDB, and condo projects in Singapore.

The Full Timeline Has Three Phases, Not One

Most homeowners think of “renovation time” as only the construction phase. In practice there are three: design and quotation, before any physical work begins; permit approval, which can run in parallel with design; and on-site construction through to handover.

Overlooking the first two is the most common reason a project “feels” delayed even when construction itself is running on schedule.

Phase 1 |Design & Quotation: 2–6 Weeks

Expect two to three design meetings, review of 3D visuals, and a finalised layout, mood board and itemised quotation before signing. This phase moves quickly when key decisions — layout, must-have storage, budget ceiling are settled early, and stretches out when material or layout choices keep changing.

Phase 2 | Permit Approval: 1–4 Weeks, Running Alongside Design

HDB flats need an approved Renovation Permit before hacking or wet-area works begin — approval can take up to two to three weeks, and starting work without it isn't just risky, it isn't permitted.

Condo owners need MCST approval instead, typically taking one to three weeks, with additional restrictions on working hours, commonly weekdays 9am–5pm, often with no weekend work at all.

Landed property facade or structural changes may require BCA approval, which can add considerably more time.

Phase 3 |On-Site Construction, By Property Type

• BTO, no hacking: roughly 8–10 weeks. A new flat arrives as a bare shell, so carpentry and finishing can start almost immediately.
• BTO, with hacking or an open-concept kitchen: roughly 10–12 weeks — mainly because the hacking permit and added masonry/re-tiling extend the schedule.
• Resale HDB: roughly 10–16 weeks. Existing tiles, wiring and cabinetry typically need to come out and be checked first, and hidden issues behind walls or under tiles are common, often adding another 1–2 weeks.
• Condo: roughly 8–12 weeks for a standard scope. Light refreshes without wet works finish faster; full overhauls of older units can run closer to 14 weeks. Scheduling constraints — lift bookings, restricted working hours, tend to add 10–20% versus an equivalent HDB scope.

What Actually Causes Delays (It’s Usually Not the Contractor)

The same three culprits show up across almost every case we reviewed: mid-project design or material changes made after fabrication has already started, which can each cost 1–3 weeks; imported materials with long lead times such as marble or specialty tiles, which typically need 4–8 weeks and should be ordered at the design stage rather than after; and, specific to resale flats, hidden issues uncovered once demolition starts. All three are largely avoidable with decisions locked in early.

A Realistic End-to-End Expectation

Putting the phases together: a BTO project typically runs about 3–4 months from first design meeting to move-in; a resale HDB renovation, closer to 4–5 months; a condo renovation, 4–6 months.

Add another 1–2 weeks after “completion” for snagging — defect rectification — and a final clean before moving in comfortably.

The firms that keep to their timelines aren't the ones promising the shortest number upfront, they're the ones who map out a realistic, milestone-based schedule with you before signing, and flag risk points like long-lead materials early enough to order around them.

At Ace's Design, every project starts with a week-by-week schedule specific to your flat type and scope, agreed before work begins. Get a personalised renovation timeline with your free consultation.