Home Service Packages: DIY Tips vs Hiring Pros in Singapore | Homejourney

Home Service Packages: DIY Tips vs Hiring Professionals – Quick Answer

For most Singapore homes, small, low‑risk tasks (like basic cleaning, simple paint touch‑ups, or replacing light bulbs) can be done DIY, but anything involving electrical works, gas, structural changes, major pest control, or air‑conditioning systems should be handled by licensed professionals via a vetted home service package for safety, insurance and long‑term value.

This cluster guide supports Homejourney’s broader pillar on safe home services and maintenance in Singapore, helping you decide when to use a home maintenance package, bundle deal or combined services, and when DIY is enough.

How Home Service Packages Fit Into Your Singapore Home Journey

If you are collecting keys for a new BTO in Punggol, just bought a resale flat in Jurong West, or investing in a condo near Tanjong Pagar MRT, you will quickly realise that ongoing home services (air‑con, cleaning, pest control, minor repairs) can add up.

Many Singapore owners now choose home service packages – for example, a post‑tenancy deep clean + aircon servicing + handyman visit as a bundle deal – to save time and money while ensuring safety and quality. Homejourney’s focus on user safety and verified providers helps you compare these packages with confidence and avoid risky, unlicensed operators.

You can also cross‑check the cost of services against your overall property budget using Homejourney’s financing tools on Bank Rates and project insights via Projects Directory .

DIY vs Hiring Professionals: A Simple Decision Framework

Use this quick rule of thumb for Home Service Packages: DIY Tips vs Hiring Professionals in Singapore:

DIY is usually OK for: basic cleaning, minor painting, assembling flat‑pack furniture, replacing shower heads, changing light bulbs/LED strips, simple caulking, replacing door stoppers.
Always hire professionals for: electrical rewiring, adding power points, gas works, major plumbing (choked main pipes), waterproofing, structural work, full air‑con servicing, termite treatment, and any high‑rise external work (e.g. facade, windows).
Consider a home maintenance package when: you are a landlord with frequent tenant turnover, you own multiple units, or you have a busy schedule and want predictable, bundled costs.

Insider tip: In dense estates like Sengkang and Tampines, many residents schedule air‑con servicing and general cleaning together before Chinese New Year. Booking a combined services package 3–4 weeks in advance often secures better time slots and bundle pricing.

What Exactly Is in a Home Service Package in Singapore?

A typical home service package or home maintenance package in Singapore is a bundle deal of multiple services at a fixed or discounted rate. Common examples include:

Move‑in / Move‑out package: General cleaning, kitchen degreasing, bathroom descaling, floor polishing, and optional air‑con servicing.
Annual air‑con + cleaning package: 3–4 quarterly air‑con services plus one deep cleaning session for the whole unit.
Landlord turnover package: Post‑tenancy inspection, minor repairs (e.g. patching nail holes), deep cleaning, and basic pest treatment before the next tenant moves in.
Pest + cleaning combo: Termite or cockroach treatment with follow‑up inspections and post‑treatment cleaning.

For detailed costs and examples of current Singapore pricing (e.g. 3‑room HDB vs 4‑bedroom condo), see Homejourney’s price breakdown in Home Service Packages Cost Guide 2025: Singapore Prices with Homejourney .

Singapore Regulations & Safety: When DIY Can Be Dangerous

Because Singapore homes are mostly in high‑rise HDB blocks and condos, safety rules are strict. Certain tasks are not suitable for DIY and may even violate regulations or void insurance.

1. Electrical Work – Check for Licensed Electricians

Under Singapore’s regulatory framework (Energy Market Authority and related guidelines), only licensed electrical workers should perform major electrical works like adding new points, rewiring, or modifying the main distribution box. Attempting DIY can cause fires and may affect HDB or condo MCST insurance coverage.

Safe DIY: changing light bulbs, swapping a like‑for‑like lamp with power off, replacing batteries in smoke detectors.
Hire a pro via a service package: installing downlights in a new BTO in Tengah, adding extra sockets for a home office in a Pasir Ris resale flat, or troubleshooting frequent power trips.

2. Gas & Water – HDB and PUB Rules

For piped gas, most works must be done by a licensed gas service worker. Water supply to residential units is regulated by PUB; significant plumbing changes (moving sink, replacing main stop valve) should be handled by a licensed plumber.

Safe DIY: changing a shower head, replacing a simple tap with the same fitting, clearing a minor basin choke with a plunger.
Hire a pro: replacing water heaters, fixing persistent leaks behind walls, replacing concealed pipes in bathrooms in older HDBs like those in Queenstown or Toa Payoh.

3. Structural & HDB Renovation Guidelines

HDB owners must comply with HDB renovation guidelines, especially when hacking walls, changing floor finishes, or modifying windows and grilles. Even if you are comfortable DIY‑ing, structural or façade works must be done by HDB‑approved contractors.

Insider tip: In older HDB blocks in Ang Mo Kio, some walls are load‑bearing; you cannot simply hack them for an open kitchen, and unauthorised hacking can lead to heavy penalties and restoration orders.

Cost Comparison: DIY vs Professional Service Packages

To decide between DIY and a home maintenance package, consider both direct costs (cash spent) and indirect costs (time, risk, rework).

Example 1: Air‑Con Servicing in a 4‑Room HDB (Bukit Panjang)

DIY approach: Buying basic cleaning spray (about S$8–S$12 per can) and washing outer filters yourself every few weeks. You still cannot safely clean the blower, drainage tray, or gas levels.
Professional package: Quarterly servicing package for 3–4 units typically ranges around S$200–S$300 per year (estimate; check latest via Aircon Services ). This usually includes filter cleaning, coil brushing, drainage line flushing, and basic checks.

For high‑usage units (families in warm facing stacks, e.g. west‑facing in Punggol or Sembawang), the professional bundle is usually more cost‑effective because it prevents gas leaks and water drips that can damage ceilings or parquet.

Example 2: Post‑Tenancy Refresh in a City‑Fringe Condo (e.g. Dakota / Aljunied)

DIY: You and a helper spend a full weekend scrubbing bathrooms, the kitchen hood, windows and grout. Cleaning materials may cost S$50–S$80, but you lose 1–2 days and may still miss deep grime.
Service package: A move‑out deep clean package for a 2‑bedroom condo may cost around S$220–S$350 depending on scope, sometimes bundled with handyman fixes (patching holes, silicone sealing) as a bundle deal.

For landlords who value quick turnaround between tenants, a combined services package coordinated through a trusted platform like Homejourney can mean fewer viewings lost and potentially better rental offers. You can cross‑reference potential rent in that condo or area on Projects and Property Search .