HDB Hacking Permit and PE Endorsement: A Singapore Guide

Hacking a wall to open up your HDB flat is one of the most common renovation requests we handle. It is also one of the most misunderstood, because owners often assume HDB charges a hefty permit fee, or that any wall can come down. Neither is true. Here is how the HDB hacking permit and Professional Engineer (PE) endorsement actually work.

Do I need a permit to hack walls in my HDB flat?

Yes. Any wall demolition or hacking in an HDB flat requires a renovation permit before work starts. The permit is applied for through an HDB-registered renovation contractor, who must also carry out the works, which is exactly what our HDB wall reinstatement and hacking permit service handles. You cannot lawfully hack a wall on your own or use an unregistered handyman for structural changes.

Which walls can and cannot be hacked?

Walls fall into two broad groups:

• Non-load-bearing walls (partition walls): these carry no structural load and can usually be removed once the permit is approved. Most brick or lightweight partitions between a bedroom and a living area fall here.
• Load-bearing and structural walls: these carry the weight of the flat above. In HDB flats, reinforced concrete (RC) walls, structural columns, and beams cannot be hacked or altered. Removing or notching them compromises the whole block, which is why HDB strictly prohibits it.

The reinforced concrete walls in a flat are usually the ones bounding the household shelter, the kitchen and service areas, and the party walls shared with the units next door. Those zones are off-limits, full stop. A registered contractor reads the HDB approved layout for your block, which marks the RC walls, before quoting anything. If you are unsure which category a wall falls into, do not guess. Our wall hacking services start with an on-site assessment to confirm what can safely come down.

What is a PE endorsement and when is it required?

A PE endorsement is a certification by a registered Professional Engineer that the proposed works are structurally sound. HDB requires it whenever the job touches or affects structural elements, or when the scope calls for engineering sign-off.

For a straightforward non-load-bearing partition removal, a PE endorsement is often not needed. It becomes necessary when the works involve, or sit near, load-bearing elements, larger openings, or anything that changes how loads are carried. The PE inspects the flat, reviews the layout against the approved structural drawings, checks that what you want to remove is genuinely non-structural, and confirms nothing you keep will be overloaded. Once satisfied, the engineer endorses the plan submitted to HDB and takes professional responsibility for that judgement.

What documents do you need for the application?

You do not prepare the submission yourself, but it helps to know what feeds into it. A typical application pulls together:

• Your proposed renovation or hacking layout, showing which walls come down.
• Proof of ownership or the flat details HDB needs to match the unit.
• The contractor's HDB registration particulars.
• A PE endorsement and supporting calculations, where the works are structural.

Your contractor assembles these and lodges them. The cleaner the scope you give at the start, the fewer rounds of back-and-forth later.

How much does the HDB hacking permit cost?

The permit itself is free. HDB does not charge any fee for the renovation or hacking permit application, so the permit is S$0. One exception: if unauthorised works are later regularised and allowed to stay, HDB charges an administrative fee, so it pays to get the permit right the first time.

What you may pay for are the surrounding items:

• A contractor's admin fee for preparing and lodging the submission on your behalf.
• A PE endorsement, if your works require one (see below).
• A renovation deposit to your Town Council or the MCST, which is refundable once works are completed without damage to common property.

So the phrase "permit cost" is a bit of a misnomer. The permit is free; the professional and administrative work around it is what carries a cost.

How much does a PE endorsement cost?

PE fees are not regulated and vary with scope and complexity. As a general guide, a PE endorsement for HDB hacking works typically costs about S$800 to S$2,000. Simpler jobs sit at the lower end; larger openings or more involved structural assessments sit higher.

Because pricing is unregulated, always ask for a written quote before committing. A clear quote should state what the PE will inspect, endorse, and submit.

How long does approval take?

Timelines depend on the scope of works and how quickly the required documents, including any PE endorsement, are ready. A simple partition removal is generally quicker to process than works needing structural sign-off. We would rather give you a realistic estimate for your specific job than quote a fixed number of days that may not hold. Once we have assessed the flat, we can tell you what to expect and prepare the submission promptly.

Who applies for the permit?

Your HDB-registered renovation contractor applies for the permit, not you. This is a requirement, not a convenience. HDB issues renovation permits to registered contractors, who are accountable for the works meeting HDB's rules. Where a PE endorsement is needed, the contractor coordinates with the engineer and folds the endorsement into the submission. You approve the plan and the quote; we handle the paperwork.

What about a condo or private property?

Private property does not use HDB's permit system, so an HDB hacking permit does not apply. In a condominium or other strata development, approval runs through the Management Corporation (MCST) instead. You submit your renovation plans to the MCST or managing agent, follow the estate's renovation rules and hours, and place a renovation deposit against damage to common property. Structural walls are still off-limits, and a PE endorsement is still the norm where structural elements are involved. The building's own drawings, rather than an HDB layout, tell the engineer what is load-bearing. Landed homes follow a different track again, usually involving the relevant authorities and a qualified person for structural works.

What happens if you hack without a permit?

Hacking without a permit is a serious matter. HDB can require you to reinstate the flat to its original condition at your own cost, and enforcement action may follow. If a structural wall is affected, the risk is not only financial: it can endanger your unit and the units around you.

Unpermitted works can also surface later, when you sell the flat or when a neighbour reports renovation noise or damage. Doing it correctly the first time is far less costly than reinstating after the fact. If you only need a single partition removed, see our guide on how to remove a partition wall for what a clean, permitted job looks like.

The short version

• The HDB hacking permit is free (S$0); your contractor applies for it.
• Non-load-bearing partitions can usually be hacked; load-bearing and reinforced concrete walls cannot.
• A PE endorsement is required for structural works and typically costs about S$800 to S$2,000, so request a written quote.
• Only an HDB-registered contractor may carry out the works.
• Private property uses MCST approval, not an HDB permit, but the structural rules still hold.
• Hacking without a permit can lead to reinstatement orders and enforcement action.

Ready to hack the right way?

We have been handling HDB reinstatement and wall-hacking works in Singapore since 2015, permit submission included. Tell us what you would like to open up, and we will assess the flat, arrange any PE endorsement needed, and handle the HDB submission for you. Enquire for permit-handling and a quote, and we will get back to you within 24 hours on business days.

Email hello@hacking.sg or WhatsApp (+65) 8484 0027.