Whole Room Painting and Wall Makeovers for Residential HDB at Marine Terrace

Project Overview

The client, a homeowner in a typical Singapore HDB flat, approached us to refresh a bedroom that still featured a wall‑mounted shelf and study table, as well as dated patterned wallpaper. The brief was straightforward yet critical: remove the built‑in shelf and study table, strip the wallpaper, eliminate all glue residue, carry out plaster repairs, and deliver a flawless whole‑room paint finish (including sealer on walls and ceiling).

At HackingSG we applied our core residential renovation expertise—Built‑in Carpentry, Cabinet, Kitchen Dismantling & Removal Services combined with General Painting & Touch‑up Services—to transform the space while preserving the integrity of the surrounding HDB unit.

Technical Challenges

Challenge	How We Addressed It
Selective dismantling of built‑in carpentry – The shelf and study table were anchored into the wall and ceiling trim. Removing them without damaging the surrounding plaster or the fixed air‑conditioning unit required precise de‑construction.	Our carpentry team used non‑impact tools and carefully pried the fittings away, protecting the adjacent wall with temporary masking boards. All fixings were extracted in a controlled manner, leaving a clean substrate for the subsequent plaster work.
Complete removal of wallpaper and stubborn glue – The patterned wallpaper had adhered strongly to the wall, leaving uneven glue patches that could compromise plaster adhesion.	We employed a two‑step process: first a low‑temperature steam treatment to soften the paper, followed by a specialised adhesive remover that broke down the glue without attacking the underlying plaster. All residues were meticulously scraped and vacuumed.
Surface make‑good on a high‑traffic HDB wall – HDB walls are typically thin plasterboard; extensive patching risked visible seams and texture mismatches.	After debris removal, we applied a high‑bond primer to the exposed substrate, then performed multi‑layer skim‑coating using fibre‑reinforced joint compound. Each layer was sanded to a feather‑edge finish, ensuring the repaired zones blended seamlessly with the untouched wall.
Achieving a uniform paint finish in a confined unit – Limited ventilation and close proximity to neighbouring units can trap dust and affect paint drying.	We installed temporary dust‑containment sheeting around the work zone and used HEPA‑filtered vacuums throughout the plastering and sanding stages. Once the surface was sealed with a water‑based primer sealer, two coats of premium interior emulsion were applied using low‑odor, quick‑dry technology, guaranteeing colour consistency across walls and ceiling.

Project Considerations

Neighbour‑friendly execution – HDB regulations demand minimal disturbance. We scheduled work during agreed daytime hours, used low‑noise hand tools, and sealed all openings with protective plastic sheeting to prevent dust migration to adjacent flats.
Protection of existing finishes – The bedroom’s flooring, built‑in wardrobe doors, and the wall‑mounted AC unit were covered with reusable drop cloths and taped edge protectors. This prevented scratches, impact marks, and paint splatter.
Clear communication – Throughout the renovation, we maintained a dedicated WhatsApp group with the homeowner and the interior designer. Progress photos, daily logs, and any