The Doormat
Five things for this month, each with its source.
1RULE
New BTO? The toilet finishes stay for 3 years.
The toilet floor and wall finishes that HDB or the developer provided can't be replaced for 3 years from the date the block was completed. New floor finishes can go over the old toilet floor with adhesive.
- Toilet floor and wall finishes provided by HDB or the developer must not be replaced for 3 years from the completion date of the block. HDB, Renovation: important information · checked 30 Sep 2026
- Within the 3 years, new toilet floor finishes can be laid over the existing ones using adhesives. HDB, Renovation: important information · checked 30 Sep 2026
2PRICE
Our vinyl band
Our price band for vinyl is S$45 to S$100 per sqm (S$4.18 to S$9.29 per sq ft), supplied and laid. For a whole HDB 4-room, 85 sqm, that's S$3,825 to S$8,500.
Our price band · supplied and laid
Set Sep 2026.
Supplied and laid, with standard installation. Major levelling or screeding, removing and disposing of the old floor, new skirting, special transition profiles, door trimming and other remedial work are normally extra, priced after a site inspection. Some products cost more. GST is added or included as the final quotation states.
Our price bands are set with Monli, our affiliate partner, and checked against published Singapore guides.
Monli is our affiliate partner, and we earn a commission when you buy there.
- Vinyl band: S$45 to S$100 per sqm (S$4.18 to S$9.29 per sq ft), supplied and laid. SGFloorFinder price bands · our own table
3TREND
Honey and caramel, after grey
In Floor Focus, a US flooring trade magazine, Emily Holle, MSI's director of trend and design, writes that after years of cool, grey-leaning finishes, interiors are embracing honeyed oaks and caramel walnuts, and matte surfaces over high gloss.
- After years of cool, grey-leaning finishes, interiors are embracing honeyed oaks and caramel walnuts; high gloss is fading in favour of matte, low-luster surfaces. Floor Focus, Color and design trends 2026 (column by Emily Holle, MSI) · 27 May 2026
4WEATHER
Wet months ahead
The Meteorological Service Singapore lists October and November as an inter-monsoon period, and the northeast monsoon from December to early March, its wet phase usually December to early January. Next month's issue is about water.
- Inter-monsoon period: October to November. Northeast monsoon: December to early March; its wet phase is usually from December to early January. Meteorological Service Singapore, Climate of Singapore · checked 29 Sep 2026
5DEPOSIT
20% at most, from CaseTrust firms
Renovation firms accredited under CASE's CaseTrust scheme cap the initial deposit at 20% of the total cost.
- CaseTrust renovation firms: initial deposits are capped at a maximum of 20% of the total cost. CASE, CaseTrust accreditation for renovation businesses · modified 14 Apr 2026
Sources
HDB, Renovation: important information · checked 30 Sep 2026
- Toilet floor and wall finishes provided by HDB or the developer must not be replaced for 3 years from the completion date of the block.
- Within the 3 years, new toilet floor finishes can be laid over the existing ones using adhesives.
SGFloorFinder price bands · our own table
- Vinyl band: S$45 to S$100 per sqm (S$4.18 to S$9.29 per sq ft), supplied and laid.
Floor Focus, Color and design trends 2026 (column by Emily Holle, MSI) · 27 May 2026
- After years of cool, grey-leaning finishes, interiors are embracing honeyed oaks and caramel walnuts; high gloss is fading in favour of matte, low-luster surfaces.
Meteorological Service Singapore, Climate of Singapore · checked 29 Sep 2026
- Inter-monsoon period: October to November. Northeast monsoon: December to early March; its wet phase is usually from December to early January.
CASE, CaseTrust accreditation for renovation businesses · modified 14 Apr 2026
- CaseTrust renovation firms: initial deposits are capped at a maximum of 20% of the total cost.