Removing floors in an HDB flat

Replacing floor finishes needs an HDB permit.

• Replacement of floor finishes (ceramic, homogeneous, terrazzo, marble, parquet or timber, other tiles): permit required. HDB, Building works guidelines · checked 30 Sep 2026

Laying new floor finishes over the old ones with adhesive only needs no permit if, in HDB's words, there is "only 1 layer of existing floor finishes including cement screed", the new finish and its adhesive come to 13 mm or less, the floor trap isn't touched, and the work doesn't cause "backflow or lateral seepage into the bedroom".

• Laying of floor finishes over existing finishes using adhesive only: no permit; only 1 layer of existing floor finishes including cement screed; thickness including adhesive must not exceed 13mm; no tampering of the floor trap; work should not result in backflow or lateral seepage into the bedroom. HDB, Building works guidelines · checked 30 Sep 2026

Laying vinyl, carpet or linoleum needs no permit.

HDB also lists laying parquet or timber flooring, including laminated or bamboo flooring, over existing finishes as needing no permit, if the floor isn't raised as a platform, no cement screed is used and nothing is hacked off.

• Laying of vinyl finishes, carpet or linoleum: no permit required. HDB, Building works guidelines · checked 30 Sep 2026
• Laying/ replacement of parquet/ timber flooring (also known as laminated or bamboo flooring): no permit; for flats with existing floor finishes, the laying of flooring over existing finishes should not involve raising the floor as a platform, usage of cement screed, or hacking/ removal of existing floor finishes. HDB, Building works guidelines · checked 30 Sep 2026

Removing floor finishes is a restricted renovation. It is allowed only from 9am to 5pm on weekdays: not on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays or the eves of five of them.

HDB names the eves of New Year's Day, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa and Christmas Day. Other renovation work is allowed from 9am to 6pm on weekdays and Saturdays.

• "Restricted renovations such as demolishing of walls, removing wall/ floor finishes, cutting of tiles and heavy and excessive drilling works, etc. can only be carried out between 9:00am and 5:00pm on weekdays only. Such works are not allowed on Saturdays, Sundays, Public Holidays and the eves of New Year's Day, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa and Christmas Day". HDB, Renovation: important information · checked 30 Sep 2026
• General renovations: 9:00am to 6:00pm on weekdays and Saturdays. HDB, Renovation: important information · checked 30 Sep 2026

Demolishing walls or removing wall or floor finishes can't take more than 3 consecutive days.

• Renovation contractors cannot take more than 3 consecutive days to demolish walls and/or remove wall and/or floor finishes. HDB, Renovation: important information · checked 30 Sep 2026

Your contractor can use only 2 of the handheld power tools on HDB's list, or their equivalent, at a time.

• Renovation contractors can use only 2 of the handheld power tools on HDB's list, or their equivalent, at a given time. HDB, Renovation: important information · checked 30 Sep 2026

Use only contractors from HDB's Directory of Renovation Contractor (DRC), even for work that doesn't need HDB's approval.

• Engage only contractors from the Directory of Renovation Contractor (DRC), including for works that do not require HDB's approval. HDB, Renovation: important information · checked 30 Sep 2026