DIY SGD 550-1,000 · Professional From $1,150
5-Room HDB Painting Cost Calculator Singapore 2026
What does it cost to DIY paint a 5-room HDB in Singapore?
DIY painting a 5-room HDB costs SGD 550-1,000 in 2026, including paint, primer and tools. Budget SGD 550-700 with local brands, SGD 700-900 with Nippon or Dulux, and SGD 900-1,200 with premium eco-friendly paints. Plan 12-15 gallons and 5-7 days. A professional repaint starts from $1,150 and finishes in one working day.
What the job actually needs
| Wall and ceiling surface | 1,200-1,400 sqft |
|---|---|
| Paint needed | 12-15 gallons topcoat (plus the same in primer) |
| DIY time | 5-7 full days alone, 3-4 with a helper |
| DIY outlay | SGD 550-1,000 including tools |
| Day labour | SGD 80-120 a day if you want help with prep or high ceilings |
Three budget tiers
Budget
SGD 550-700
Local brands at SGD 35-40 a gallon plus basic tools. Suits rentals and very tight budgets.
Standard
SGD 700-900
Nippon Odourless or Dulux at SGD 55-70 with proper tools. The balance most executive-flat owners pick.
Premium
SGD 900-1,200
Benjamin Moore Aura or Breathe at SGD 85-120 with professional-grade equipment. Best for long-term homes.
Day-by-day plan
- Day 1-2 — preparation across five rooms, ceilings first, repairs and masking.
- Day 3 — primer on walls and ceilings.
- Day 4-5 — topcoats to full coverage, rotating rooms.
- Day 6-7 — touch-ups, fittings back and cleanup.
Singapore-specific tips
- Expect sore shoulders and back. Take a break every 1-2 hours and stay hydrated in the heat.
- A second pair of halves the job and makes ladder work safer; many owners hire day labour only for ceilings and prep.
- Buy 1-2 spare gallons of the mixed topcoat — a 5-room flat always needs later touch-ups.
Skip the five days: From $1,150
A hdb 5-room repaint with us is quoted from $1,150 — sealer on every wall, ceilings included, one working day on site and a 5-year peeling and workmanship warranty. The price is fixed before we start, with no site visit needed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does DIY painting a 5-room HDB cost?
SGD 550-1,000 including all paint, primer and tools. Budget SGD 550-700, standard quality SGD 700-900, premium eco-friendly SGD 900-1,200. That assumes 5-7 days of your own time.
How many gallons for a 5-room HDB?
12-15 gallons of topcoat for 1,200-1,400 sqft of walls and ceilings, plus a similar volume of primer — 24-30 gallons total. High-coverage premium paints can come down to 10-12 gallons of topcoat.
Can one person DIY paint a 5-room HDB alone?
Technically yes, at 5-7 full days minimum and real physical strain. One helper cuts it to 3-4 days and makes ladder work safer. Some owners hire day labour at SGD 80-120 a day for ceilings and heavy prep while doing detail work themselves.
What is the best strategy for a large 5-room flat?
Do ceilings and cornices first, then walls room by room, and leave the living room last so you are not trapping yourself. Prime everything before you start on colour so the topcoat bonds evenly.
When is professional better for a 5-room flat?
When the walls need extensive repair, you have a move-in deadline, you want warranty protection, or the physical load is too much. A professional 5-room repaint finishes in one working day with a 5-year warranty, from $1,150; executive and maisonette flats start from $1,450.
Do I need scaffold for high ceilings?
For voids and high ceilings yes — an A-frame ladder plus a stable platform, or professional scaffolding. Factoring that hire in is what pushes many 5-room DIY quotes above the premium tier.