Whole House Hacking for Residential HDB at Bukit Batok

Project Overview

The residence is a typical HDB flat in Singapore that required a comprehensive interior transformation. The homeowner elected a full‑house strip‑out so that the existing wall finishes, floor tiles, built‑in cabinetry, and door assemblies could be removed and replaced with a modern layout and a new false‑ceiling system.

Our team undertook whole‑house hacking, which involved:

• Removing wall tiles and plaster finishes down to the substrate across every room.
• Extracting floor tiles and preparing the sub‑floor for new flooring works.
• Dismantling and disposing of built‑in cabinets, kitchen units, and other carpentry elements.
• Taking out interior doors and their frames, exposing the structural openings.
• Installing a new metal grid for the false ceiling while preserving the integrity of the surrounding structure.

All works were carried out under the required HDB wall‑reinstatement and hacking permits, ensuring full compliance with statutory regulations.

Technical Challenges

1. Coordinated Structural Demolition in a High‑Rise Environment
   HDB flats have limited ceiling heights and dense service routing. Removing wall tiles, plaster, and built‑in carpentry while maintaining the stability of load‑bearing walls demanded precise sequencing. We had to cut openings for new ceiling girders without compromising the existing slab or the neighbouring units’ structural envelope.

2. Service Relocation and Protection
   The flat’s electrical, plumbing, and ventilation services run within the walls and under the floor. During wall hacking and floor tile removal, we needed to expose these services, reroute them where necessary, and protect them from damage. This required careful identification of hidden conduits and meticulous handling of live circuits and water lines.

3. Dust and Debris Containment in a Live Residential Building
   Performing extensive demolition in an occupied building poses a risk of dust migration to adjacent units. Although the images show a clean, organized site, we implemented localized containment using sealed barriers, negative‑pressure vacuums, and systematic debris removal to keep the rest of the building dust‑free.

4. Compliance with HDB Hacking Permit Requirements
   HDB mandates strict documentation, inspection, and reinstatement standards for wall hacking. We had to submit detailed demolition plans, secure approvals before any structural removal, and ensure that all reinstated walls met the prescribed fire‑rating and surface finish criteria.

Project Considerations

• Neighbour‑Unit Minimisation – We scheduled noisy demolition tasks during agreed daytime windows and used low‑impact hand tools where possible to reduce vibration and sound transmission.
• Protection of Non‑Demolition Areas – All finished rooms, fixtures, and existing fittings that were not part of the scope were covered with protective sheeting and edge guards. This prevented accidental damage and kept the homeowner’s living environment tidy.
• Safety Protocols – All team members wore full PPE, and we instituted a site‑specific safety plan that included safe work‑at‑height procedures for the new false‑ceiling grid installation.
• Clear Communication – Progress updates, photographs, and the next‑step schedule were shared with the homeowner and interior designer via WhatsApp, ensuring transparency and rapid decision‑making.
• Quality of Reinstatement – After the demolition, we prepared the wall substrates to HDB standards, applying proper plaster mixes, reinforcement where needed, and a smooth finish ready for final paint or tiling.

Results

The project concluded with a fully stripped interior ready for the next phase of fit‑out. Key outcomes include:

• Clean, Structural‑Ready Walls – All wall surfaces were hacked to the required depth, with seams and service penetrations neatly sealed, providing a flawless canvas for new finishes.
• Floor & Tile Clearance – Existing floor tiles were removed without damaging the underlying concrete slab, allowing the client to install their chosen flooring system without additional remedial work.
• Door & Frame Removal Completed – All interior doors and frames were extracted