Rewiring for HDB flats and condos

Rewiring means replacing the cables and points in your home rather than adding to what is already there. Most homeowners come to it one of two ways: the existing wiring is old, undersized or unsafe, or a renovation has already opened up the walls and it makes sense to do it properly while everything is exposed.

When rewiring actually makes sense

Not every electrical problem needs a full rewire, and we will tell you when it does not. Rewiring is usually the right call when the flat is more than 25 to 30 years old and has never had electrical work done, when the DB box has no spare ways and no earth leakage protection, when circuits are undersized for a modern appliance load, or when a renovation has already exposed the walls and ceiling and concealing the wiring properly is a one-time opportunity.

It is usually not the right call for a single fault, a few extra points, or a flat that already has an RCCB and reasonable capacity. We would rather diagnose the actual problem and quote the smaller job than sell a rewire nobody needs.

What is included

A rewiring job priced per point covers running new cable to each point, mounting the socket, switch or light fitting, connecting it back to the distribution board, and testing it before we leave. Whether it is priced per point or as a full-flat package depends on scope, which is why we quote from photos rather than a flat per-square-foot number.

Full rewiring of a flat almost always includes a new distribution board as part of the scope, since the old board is rarely rated for the upgraded circuit count.

Surface versus concealed

Surface wiring runs in trunking on top of the wall or ceiling. It is faster, does not require hacking, and is the default for HDB flats. Concealed wiring is set into the wall itself, which looks cleaner but costs more and generally has to happen before wall finishes go on, since the wall gets chased open and then patched.

If you are renovating, this is a decision to make early. Concealed wiring added after the walls are finished means undoing finished work to do it.

What it costs

Individual points start from $48 per point for surface wiring, more for concealed. A full rewire of a flat is renovation-scale work, typically $3,000 to $7,500 depending on the size of the unit and how much concealment is involved. We will not give you a number for a full rewire without seeing photos first, because the honest range is too wide to be useful otherwise.

What you get

• A written, itemised quote before we start
• Every point tested before handover
• Two year workmanship warranty, in writing