Flooring is one of the biggest long-term decisions you will make for your Singapore home. The right floor affects safety, resale value, cleaning effort, and even how cool your flat feels at 3pm when the sun hits your living room. Whether you own an HDB, condo, or landed home, understanding flooring Singapore options and proper floor installation is essential before you spend thousands of dollars.
This definitive Homejourney guide walks you through the main flooring types (including vinyl flooring and laminate floor), Singapore-specific price ranges, HDB and condo rules, installation steps, safety considerations, and how to choose a trustworthy flooring contractor. It is written for real Singapore homeowners, landlords, and tenants, with local prices, examples, and insider tips gathered from years of on-the-ground experience and current 2025 market data.
Table of Contents
- 1. Overview: Why Flooring Matters in Singapore Homes
- 2. Key Flooring Types in Singapore & When to Use Them
- 3. 2025 Flooring Cost Guide in Singapore
- 4. HDB, Condo & Landed Regulations for Flooring
- 5. How Floor Installation Works Step-by-Step
- 6. How to Choose a Safe, Reliable Flooring Contractor
- 7. Room-by-Room Flooring Recommendations (HDB, Condo, Landed)
- 8. Maintenance, Safety & Common Flooring Problems
- 9. Budgeting, Financing & Renovation Planning with Homejourney
- 10. How Homejourney Helps You Book Trusted Flooring Services
- 11. FAQ: Flooring Services in Singapore
1. Overview: Why Flooring Matters in Singapore Homes
In Singapore, you walk barefoot at home most of the time. That means your floor choice is not just about looks; it’s about comfort, heat, and safety. Many BTO owners in estates like Punggol and Sengkang choose vinyl flooring because it feels warmer and less slippery after a shower, while older resale flats in Toa Payoh or Queenstown often still have ceramic tiles that feel cooler but harder underfoot.
You should consider booking professional flooring services when:
- You collect keys to a new BTO or condo and want to upgrade developer flooring.
- You buy a resale HDB and need to replace old or hollow tiles.
- You are renting out a unit and want durable, low-maintenance surfaces for tenants.
- You notice safety issues like cracked tiles, popping sounds, or uneven steps.
- You want to refresh an older home without full renovation.
Homejourney focuses on user safety and trust, so this guide will also highlight where DIY is risky (for example, hacking tiles in an HDB flat without proper permits) and when to rely on licensed, verified professionals.
2. Key Flooring Types in Singapore & When to Use Them
2.1 Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is now the most popular option in many new HDB and condo projects because it offers a wood-like look, is comfortable to walk on, and is relatively affordable compared to marble or parquet. Market price guides in 2025 place vinyl flooring at about S$5–9 per square foot including labour in BTO package contexts and roughly S$8–17 per square foot for higher-end systems with levelling and removal of old flooring.[1][4]
Common types of vinyl in Singapore:
- Vinyl planks (click or glue-down) – most popular for living rooms and bedrooms.
- LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) – mimics stone or patterned tiles.
- SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) vinyl – more rigid, good for areas with minor unevenness.
Pros:
- Comfortable and slightly soft underfoot, great for families with young children or elderly parents.
- Quieter when walking – useful in condos where you may worry about noise transfer.
- Generally water-resistant and easy to wipe, making it suitable for kitchens (but not inside wet areas like showers).
- Fast installation with minimal hacking (often laid over existing tiles).
Cons:
- Cheaper vinyl can warp or peel under direct west-facing sun, especially at full-height windows.
- Not as durable as ceramic tiles against sharp objects or heavy dragging.
- Quality varies widely by brand and installer – a key safety and longevity concern.
Best for: HDB and condo living rooms, bedrooms, corridors, study rooms. Many homes in Sengkang, Punggol, Tampines and Yishun BTOs opt for vinyl throughout for a cohesive look.
2.2 Laminate Flooring
Laminate floor is composed of a wood-based core with a protective top layer that imitates wood grain. Singapore price guides often place laminate at S$6–11 per square foot depending on thickness and brand.[2][7]
Pros:
- Wood-like appearance at a fraction of solid parquet cost.
- Reasonably scratch-resistant with higher AC rating (Abrasion Class).
- Comfortable for bare feet compared to tiles.
Cons:
- More susceptible to water damage than vinyl; water seepage at joints can cause swelling.
- Not ideal for kitchens, balconies, or areas prone to spills.
- Cheap laminates can chip along edges with frequent chair dragging.
Best for: Bedrooms and living rooms where there is less chance of water exposure and you want a warm wood tone with moderate budget.
2.3 Ceramic & Porcelain Tiles
Tiles remain a workhorse of flooring Singapore homes, especially for kitchens, bathrooms, and service yards. Market guides in Singapore put ceramic or porcelain tiles (including labour) around S$10–12 per square foot in 2025, though simple tiles can be cheaper and designer tiles cost more.[1][7]
Pros:
- Highly durable and long-lasting if laid properly.
- Waterproof, making them ideal for bathrooms, kitchens and balconies.
- Cool underfoot – welcome in hot, humid weather.
Cons:
- Hard surface increases impact if falls occur; elderly or toddlers can be at higher risk.
- Grout lines can stain if not sealed and maintained.
- Hacking old tiles generates dust, noise, and requires permits in HDB flats.
Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, service yards, balconies, some living rooms where you want a cool and sleek finish (common in city-fringe condos like Kallang, Geylang, or CBD-fringe developments).
2.4 Parquet & Engineered Wood
Parquet is made from solid pieces of timber, while engineered wood uses a real wood veneer over a composite core. Price estimates in Singapore often show parquet at S$30–50 per square foot and marble at S$40–70 per square foot, positioning natural wood and stone as premium options.[2]
Pros:
- Luxury look and feel; can boost perceived value of older resale apartments.
- Can be re-sanded and re-varnished multiple times (solid parquet).
- Comfortable underfoot and visually warm.
Cons:
- Expensive to supply and install.
- Sensitive to moisture – common issues include gaps and cupping in humid environments.
- Requires more careful cleaning routines.
Best for: Living rooms and bedrooms in higher-end condos or landed properties where long-term ownership is planned and maintenance budgets are higher.
2.5 Cement Screed / Microcement
Polished cement or screed floors are popular in industrial-style homes. Price guides put cement screed (with sealing) at about S$15–30 per square foot.[7]
Pros:
- Minimalist, industrial look that pairs well with black-framed windows and open-concept layouts.
- Seamless look with fewer grout lines.
Cons:
- Needs proper sealing; otherwise prone to stains and hairline cracks.
- Not as cheap as it may first appear due to coating costs.
Best for: Feature areas like living rooms or home offices in design-focused homes; less common in mass-market BTO flats.
3. 2025 Flooring Cost Guide in Singapore
Flooring is usually one of the top three renovation expenses (alongside carpentry and toilets). For a 4-room HDB BTO (~90 sqm or ~969 sq ft), many homeowners budget between S$4,000–7,000 for vinyl flooring alone, with total renovating packages starting around S$16,000–18,000 for basic works including flooring.[1][6]
3.1 Quick Price Comparison by Material (2025)
These are general guides; actual quotes depend on brand, design, subfloor condition, and whether hacking or screed works are required.
3.2 Cost Breakdown: Vinyl Flooring Example
For vinyl flooring, local cost guides show the following breakdown.[3][4][5]
For a 4-room HDB with ~700 sq ft of dry-area flooring (excluding bathrooms and kitchen), a mid-range vinyl package can easily come to S$5,000–8,000 once levelling and skirting are included. Always request a line-item quotation so you can compare fairly.
3.3 Typical Timelines
- Vinyl or laminate (no hacking): 1–3 days for a typical 4-room HDB.
- Vinyl or laminate (with hacking and screed): 3–7 days depending on drying time.
- Tiles with hacking: 7–10 days or more, especially for multiple bathrooms.
In HDB estates, noisy works like hacking are usually restricted to weekday day-time hours; check your Town Council and HDB guidelines, and your contractor should apply for the necessary permits.
4. HDB, Condo & Landed Regulations for Flooring
Flooring works are regulated in Singapore because they affect building safety, waterproofing, and noise control. You should always verify that your contractor understands and complies with these rules.
References
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 1 (2025)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 4 (2025)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 2 (2025)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 7 (2025)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 6 (2025)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 3 (2025)
- Singapore Property Market Analysis 5 (2025)
