How to Prepare Your HDB for a Post Renovation Clean
By the Affordable Cleaning SG team · Published · Last updated
To prepare your HDB flat for a post-renovation clean, deal with HDB first: if it is a new flat, report any defects within 1 month of key collection and before renovating. Then let your contractor finish and clear the debris, put furniture where it will stay, close the floor trap gratings, and WhatsApp us your flat type.
Cleaning is the last job before you move in, so most of the preparation happens earlier, between key collection and your contractor's last day.
When should you book post-renovation cleaning for an HDB flat?
Book the clean for after your last contractor has finished and the debris has gone. If anyone is still cutting, sanding or drilling, fresh dust settles on surfaces that have just been cleaned. HDB allows general renovation only from 9am to 6pm on weekdays and Saturdays, with none on Sundays or public holidays, so ask your contractor which day is their last and pick a slot after it.
Message us as soon as your contractor gives you a firm finish date. If the finish date is still moving, wait until it is fixed before you pick a slot.
You can book a morning slot, 9am to 1pm, or an afternoon slot, 2pm to 6pm.
Where cleaning fits after BTO key collection
- Collect your keys and check the flat for defects
- Report defects within 1 month, before renovating
- Let HDB finish repairs, usually under 2 weeks
- Renovate with a DRC contractor, within HDB hours
- Contractor finishes and clears the renovation debris
- Post-renovation clean, then move in
New flats come with a 1-year Defects Liability Period from the day you collect your keys. You report defects by scanning the QR code in your Welcome Kit, online, or at the temporary Building Service Centre (HDB: rectification of defects in new flats). If your renovation can't wait, HDB says it can fix defects during the renovation, as long as the repair doesn't hold up the work, or after it.
Your contractor must come from HDB's Directory of Renovation Contractors (DRC). Restricted renovations, HDB's term for works such as demolishing walls, removing wall or floor finishes, cutting tiles and heavy drilling, are allowed only from 9am to 5pm on weekdays (HDB: important information on renovations).
What should you clear before the cleaners arrive?
Clear anything that would stop the crew reaching the floors, cabinets and wet areas. By cleaning day your contractor should be gone, along with their tools, leftover materials and debris, and the furniture should be where it will stay. Run through this list the evening before:
- Contractor finished; tools and leftover materials gone
- Renovation debris removed by your contractor or the Town Council
- Kitchen cabinets: ask us when you book whether to empty them
- Furniture placed where it will stay
- Valuables, documents and small items packed away
- Floor trap gratings closed
- Water and electricity on, since mopping needs water and vacuums need power
HDB is strict about debris. It must not be thrown down the refuse chute or washed down the WC squat pan or a floor trap, and if that causes a choke or damage, the flat owner pays to clear and repair it. If your Town Council doesn't offer a debris removal service, your contractor has to take the debris to an NEA-approved site (HDB: important information on renovations).
Keep the floor trap gratings closed as well. HDB's general maintenance tip is to close the grating so hair and other solid materials can't choke the trap (HDB: floor traps). It is everyday advice rather than a renovation rule, and it applies just as well to renovation grit.
For a new flat, HDB requires a water and electricity account with SP Services before it grants a renovation permit (HDB: important information on renovations), and setting up your utilities account is on its move-in checklist (HDB: checklist for moving into your flat).
What should you tell us when you book?
Start with your flat type on WhatsApp, because that sets the price. Whoever you book, a floor plan or a few photos help the cleaners see the layout and how much dust the renovation left. Say whether you want ceiling fans, lights or lamps cleaned, as those are an add-on, and point out which rooms were renovated. If you are comparing companies, ask each one what its crew brings, so you don't buy supplies you won't need.
Tell us when you book how the crew will get into the flat on the day.
What does a standard HDB post-renovation clean cover?
A standard clean covers floors, kitchen cabinets and wet areas: floors are vacuumed and mopped, cabinets are wiped, and bathrooms and other wet areas get a preventive anti-mould spray. Ceiling fans, lights and lamps are an add-on. Walls, grout, floor scrubbing or polishing, and kitchen degreasing are not included.
- Floors: vacuumed and mopped, not scrubbed or polished
- Kitchen: cabinets wiped; no fume hood or backsplash deep cleaning, no degreasing
- Bathrooms and wet areas: preventive anti-mould spray
- Ceiling fans, lights and lamps: add-on on request
- Walls and grout cleaning: not included
We would rather you know the limits before you book than find out on the day. Our services page explains each part of the clean.
How long it takes and what it costs
Most cleans take 3 to 6 hours, depending on the flat's condition, and we normally send 1 to 3 cleaners; larger homes can take up to 9 hours. HDB prices start at $250 for a 2-room flat and a 4-room flat is $340; every flat type is listed on our pricing page.
Common questions about post-renovation cleaning
Do you scrub grout or polish floors?
No. A standard clean vacuums and mops the floors, and we don't scrub or polish them or clean grout. In bathrooms and other wet areas, we spray a preventive anti-mould solution instead.
Can you clean ceiling fans and lights?
Yes, as an add-on. Ceiling fans, lights and lamps aren't part of the standard clean, so mention them when you book if you'd like them done.
Do you clean walls or the kitchen hood?
No. Walls, the kitchen fume hood, backsplash deep cleaning and kitchen degreasing are outside our scope, and so is polishing bathroom fixtures and mirrors.
Book your clean
Once you know your contractor's last day, WhatsApp us on +65 8058 2345 with your flat type and the date you'd like. You can also use Get My Recommendation or contact us.
Sources, all HDB, accessed 11 October 2026: Rectification of defects in new flats; Important information on renovations; Checklist for moving into your flat; Floor traps.