Starry Homestead is the top pick for executive HDB renovations due to its deep portfolio of large layouts and strong built-in storage design. The Interior Lab is the best runner-up for homeowners who need rigorous spatial planning and careful MCI permit handling. For a tighter budget, Ciseern offers straightforward package-style quotes that are easier to manage financially. Executive and Plus flats require contractors who understand larger floor plates and specific HDB guidelines, making design capability and site management critical factors in your choice.
How we picked this list
We assembled this shortlist through desk research across public websites, project portfolios, and available client feedback. We confirmed that every listed business is currently trading and their website resolves correctly. We ranked them based on their experience with executive and Plus HDB layouts, their approach to MCI regulations, and the clarity of their pricing structures. No placements on this list are paid, and we have not visited any of these sites personally.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Quick Picks
- Comparison Table
- The List
- 1. Starry Homestead
- 2. The Interior Lab
- 3. 9 Creation
- 4. The Orange Cube
- 5. Weiken Interior Design
- 6. Ciseern
- 7. Versaform
- 8. Fineline Interior
- 9. Mosaik Interior
- 10. D’perception
- How to Choose
- FAQ
Why Executive Flats Need a Different Approach
Many homeowners assume that renovating an executive flat is just like renovating a 4-room flat, only with more square meters. This is a dangerous misconception. Executive and Plus flats have larger floor plates, different structural walls, and unique MCI guidelines that standard contractors often overlook. If you hire a firm used to small BTO units, you may end up with a layout that feels disjointed or a renovation that stalls due to permit issues. You are trying to decide which contractor can handle the scale of your home without compromising on design or compliance. This is hard because most contractors present similar portfolios, but few specialize in the specific challenges of large HDB units.
Quick Picks
Choose Starry Homestead if you want a family-focused design with strong built-in storage solutions. Choose Ciseern on a tighter budget for a straightforward package style renovation. Choose D’perception for full demolition and rebuilding in older resale executive flats.
Comparison Table
| Business | Best for | Price band | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starry Homestead | Family homes, storage design | Mid to high | Not stated |
| The Interior Lab | Spatial planning, MCI compliance | Mid to high | Not stated |
| 9 Creation | Whole-home construction and ID | Mid | Not stated |
| The Orange Cube | Contemporary materials, case studies | Mid to high | Not stated |
| Weiken Interior Design | Complex layouts, project management | High | Not stated |
| Ciseern | Budget packages, standard fittings | Mid | Not stated |
| Versaform | Custom joinery, kitchen cabinetry | Mid to high | Not stated |
| Fineline Interior | Moderate budget, design guidance | Mid | Not stated |
| Mosaik Interior | Warm styling, finish selection | Mid to high | Not stated |
| D’perception | Full demolition, older resale flats | Mid | Not stated |
The List
1. Starry Homestead
Starry Homestead is an interior design studio that focuses on HDB flats, condos, and small landed homes. Their portfolio shows a strong track record in 5-room and executive HDB makeovers, with a particular focus on detailed carpentry. They understand the needs of families who require efficient storage and clear living zones in larger spaces.
What’s good
- Deep portfolio of large HDB layouts
- Attention to built-in storage design
- Clear visual style that suits family homes
- Good communication during design stage
What to watch
- Peak season slots may book out early
- Full ID service may feel pricey for small-scope reno
Who it suits
This is ideal for families renovating older executive flats and maisonettes where storage and layout changes are critical. If you are looking for a minimalist, design-heavy firm, you should look elsewhere.
Price
Mid to high
Details
Name: Starry Homestead
Website: https://www.starryhomestead.com
2. The Interior Lab
The Interior Lab is a Singapore interior design practice that handles residential renovations across HDB, condo, and landed property. They focus heavily on spatial planning and custom joinery, ensuring that every square meter is used effectively. Their approach is methodical, with a strong emphasis on drawing work and permit handling before construction begins.
What’s good
- Strong spatial planning before construction starts
- Detailed site drawings and finishes selection
- Experienced with HDB approval processes
- Consistent handover quality
What to watch
- Premium budgets may apply for full design service
- Design-heavy process may feel long for simpler projects
Who it suits
This firm is best for homeowners comparing older executive flats and new Plus flat layouts who need proper drawing work and permit handling. If you want a quick, low-design package, this may be overkill.
Price
Mid to high
Details
Name: The Interior Lab
Website: https://www.theinteriorlab.com.sg
3. 9 Creation
9 Creation is a design and build contractor with experience in whole-home HDB renovations. They manage both construction works and interior carpentry under one team, which can simplify the process for complex projects. Their approach is practical, focusing on cost guidance during site walks and experience with older HDB resale conditions.
What’s good
- One team for construction and ID works
- Practical cost guidance during site walks
- Experience with older HDB resale conditions
- Capable of handling bigger floor areas
What to watch
- Not a styling-led firm, choose your materials early
- Job quality can depend on the assigned site supervisor
Who it suits
This is suitable for executive resale flats that need hacking, rewiring, retiling, and new kitchen joinery in one package. If you prefer a highly stylized, design-led approach, look for a firm with a stronger aesthetic portfolio.
Price
Mid
Details
Name: 9 Creation
4. The Orange Cube
The Orange Cube is a residential renovation studio known for presenting full HDB and condo projects online. Their work leans toward contemporary materials and clean lighting, appealing to homeowners who value modern aesthetics. They are active in local renovation communities and provide detailed project walkthroughs.
What’s good
- Published project walkthroughs with finish details
- Experienced in current HDB design trends
- Attention to material and texture pairing
- Active in local renovation communities
What to watch
- May have limited slots due to project-based intake
- Visual style may not suit very traditional tastes
Who it suits
This is a good fit for homeowners who want to review complete project case studies before committing to an interior designer. If you prefer traditional or classic design elements, their contemporary style may not align with your taste.
Price
Mid to high
Details
Name: The Orange Cube
Website: https://www.orangecube.co
5. Weiken Interior Design
Weiken Interior Design is an established Singapore interior design and renovation firm covering HDB, condo, and commercial spaces. They operate with in-house project coordination, which helps manage the complexity of larger executive flat projects. Their team is experienced in handling complex layouts and resale conditions.
What’s good
- Experienced project management team
- Handles complex layouts and resale conditions
- Clear process for HDB permit filing
- Broader portfolio for reference visits
What to watch
- Brand recognition can come with a higher quote
- Confirm which project manager will run your site daily
Who it suits
This is ideal for larger executive flat projects needing careful scheduling across demolition, M&E, carpentry, and final finishing. If you are on a tight budget, their premium pricing may be prohibitive.
Price
High
Details
Name: Weiken Interior Design
Website: https://www.weiken.com.sg
6. Ciseern
Ciseern is a Singapore renovation company with a local HDB project history. It is known among older renter and homeowner forum threads for package style renovation work. They are familiar with HDB resale renovation rules and provide package style quotes that are helpful for budgeting.
What’s good
- Familiar with HDB resale renovation rules
- Package style quotes helpful for budgeting
- Experience in standard HDB fittings and finishes
What to watch
- Recent reviews may not match older forum reputation
- Check that the quoted crew handles the actual works
Who it suits
This is best for homeowners who want a straightforward renovation package with less custom design time. If you need a highly customized, design-heavy renovation, consider a firm with a stronger design portfolio.
Price
Mid
Details
Name: Ciseern
Website: https://www.ciseern.com
7. Versaform
Versaform is an interior furnishing and renovation contractor with a focus on custom joinery. They provide both renovation works and detailed built-in furniture, making them a good choice for projects where cabinetry and storage are central to the design. They are able to integrate lighting and electrical points into joinery.
What’s good
- Carpentry-led design approach
- Good for large storage systems
- Able to integrate lighting and electrical points into joinery
What to watch
- Ask specifically for HDB residential references
- Carpentry-heavy quotes can be hard to compare across firms
Who it suits
This is ideal for executive flats where kitchen cabinetry, wardrobes, and feature walls carry the overall design. If you need a full-service design firm with strong aesthetic vision, look elsewhere.
Price
Mid to high
Details
Name: Versaform
Website: https://www.versaform.com.sg
8. Fineline Interior
Fineline Interior is an interior design firm with renovation portfolios for HDB and condos. They provide layout planning, 3D visualisation, and on-site coordination. Their approach is practical, offering reasonable entry points for full ID service with manageable design guidance.
What’s good
- Reasonable entry point for full ID service
- Practical layout advice for HDB spaces
- Manages carpentry and renovation together
What to watch
- Portfolio quality varies by individual designer
- Meet the actual designer assigned to your project
Who it suits
This is suitable for moderate budget renovations that still need design guidance and a coordinated renovation schedule. If you are looking for a high-end, luxury design experience, their mid-range positioning may not meet your expectations.
Price
Mid
Details
Name: Fineline Interior
Website: https://www.fineline.com.sg
9. Mosaik Interior
Mosaik Interior is an interior design studio providing renovation and styling for HDB flats. Their project examples often cover 4-room, 5-room, and executive layouts. They focus on warm styling and finish selection, which can bring life to flat, colorless HDB interiors.
What’s good
- Good material palette selection
- Experience with dining and living area planning
- Clear site coordination for carpentry works
What to watch
- Bigger projects may depend on current designer workload
- Check whether tile and sanitary wares are in the base quote
Who it suits
This is a good fit for homeowners who want warm styling and finish selection for flat colorless HDB interiors. If you prefer a stark, minimalist aesthetic, their warm styling may not be your style.
Price
Mid to high
Details
Name: Mosaik Interior
Website: https://www.mosaik.com
10. D’perception
D’perception is a Singapore renovation contractor with resale HDB experience. Their work is seen in local flat conversion projects involving layout changes and feature lighting. They are experienced with larger HDB square footage and can handle full demolition and rebuilding works.
What’s good
- Experienced with larger HDB square footage
- Can handle full demolition and rebuilding works
- Practical with older resale flat conditions
What to watch
- Recent project case studies may not be easy to find
- Ask for a recent executive HDB site visit before awarding
Who it suits
This is ideal for executive apartments and maisonettes with non-standard wall positions or full interior demolition. If you are renovating a new BTO flat, their resale expertise may not be as relevant.
Price
Mid
Details
Name: D’perception
Website: https://www.dperception.com.sg
How to Choose
| Criterion | Why It Matters | What Good Looks Like |
|---|---|---|
| HDB executive and Plus flat experience | Executive units have bigger floor plates, while Plus flats come with new HDB design guidelines. | Recent completed or ongoing projects in 5-room, executive apartment, and maisonette units. |
| HDB permit and regulation knowledge | Structural hacking, false ceiling work, and plumbing changes all need HDB approval. | The contractor can identify which walls are structural and state the approval process clearly. |
| Transparent pricing | Renovation quotations vary widely with material choice, carpentry volume, and electrical points. | A line item breakdown covers demolition, M&E, carpentry, tiling, painting, transport, and disposal. |
| Design capability beyond standard packages | Executive flats are large but can feel tunnel-like when rooms are split wrong. | Designers show measured floor plans, lighting layouts, and carpentry elevations. |
| Site management and timeline control | Delays in HDB project scheduling, carpentry production, or tiling can stretch a renovation from weeks to months. | A clear project schedule states milestones for permits, demolition, M&E, carpentry installation, and final cleanup. |
| Warranty and after-sales support | Paint cracks, door alignment issues, and plumbing problems may surface only weeks after handover. | A written defect liability period states the coverage period and the process for reporting and rectifying defects. |
| Communication quality | Executive flat renovations involve many separate trades. Poor communication leads to costly decisions at the wrong time. | The designated project contact replies within a reasonable time and sends meeting summaries. |
FAQ
What is a realistic renovation budget for an executive HDB flat in Singapore?
A realistic budget for an executive HDB flat in Singapore typically ranges from SGD 30,000 to SGD 60,000 for a full renovation. This cost includes demolition, M&E works, carpentry, tiling, and painting. If you are opting for high-end materials and extensive custom joinery, the budget can easily exceed SGD 80,000. It is important to get detailed quotes from multiple contractors to understand where your money is going.
Can I hack walls in an Executive Maisonette to create an open concept?
Yes, you can hack walls in an Executive Maisonette to create an open concept, but only non-structural walls can be removed. Structural walls, which are usually precast concrete, cannot be hacked without HDB approval and reinforcement. You must consult your contractor to identify which walls are structural and which are non-structural. HDB must approve any changes to the layout to ensure the structural integrity of the building is maintained.
Do HDB Plus flats have different renovation restrictions from older executive flats?
HDB Plus flats generally have similar renovation restrictions to older executive flats, but they may have different design guidelines. HDB has specific rules for Plus flats regarding the use of certain materials and layouts to maintain the aesthetic of the estate. You should check the latest HDB guidelines for your specific block to ensure compliance. Your contractor should be familiar with these guidelines and can advise you on what is allowed.
Should I hire an interior designer or a direct renovation contractor for an executive flat?
For an executive flat, it is often better to hire an interior designer who also manages the renovation. An interior designer can provide a cohesive design vision and manage the various trades involved in the renovation. A direct renovation contractor may be more cost-effective but may lack the design expertise needed for a large, complex space. Consider your budget and design needs when making this decision.
How do I verify that a renovation contractor is registered and allowed to work on HDB projects?
You can verify that a renovation contractor is registered by checking their registration with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). HDB also has a list of approved contractors that you can check on their website. Ask for their BCA registration number and verify it online. This ensures that the contractor is qualified and allowed to work on HDB projects.
