HDB flats come with 13 standard power points. The average modern Singaporean household uses 25–35. The gap between those two numbers is the most common source of mid-renovation surprise charges and post-renovation frustration.
Getting your electrical layout right before the walls close is essential. Once the carpentry is in and the tiles are laid, adding or moving a power point costs 3–5x more than doing it during the rough-in stage.
Why electrical planning happens so early
Electrical conduit (the pipes that protect wiring) is laid inside walls and under screeds before any finishing works begin. Once tiles are laid and walls are plastered, accessing the conduit requires either channeling into finished surfaces or routing visible trunking along walls. Neither is cheap, neat, or pleasant.
Your licensed electrician visits the site during the early rough-in phase. This is the window to add every point you need. Miss it, and you're managing with extension cords or paying for retrofitting later.
The room-by-room checklist
Living room:
- TV point (power and signal/HDMI routing if concealed)
- Sound system points if applicable (left, right, subwoofer)
- Reading lamp outlets (floor lamp positions)
- Air purifier
- Robot vacuum charging point (ideally floor-level or concealed)
- Decorative lighting along feature walls
Dining area:
- Dining table lamp pendant (if ceiling-mounted, needs power point above)
- Electric steamboat or portable cooker socket (16A point if you want this)
- Air purifier if separate from living
Kitchen:
- Hob (if induction — needs 20A dedicated circuit)
- Oven (built-in — needs dedicated 15A or 20A)
- Hood (separate from hob)
- Microwave
- Refrigerator (dedicated circuit recommended)
- Dishwasher if planned
- Water heater for kitchen sink (if instant heater under-sink type)
- Countertop appliances: toaster, kettle, rice cooker, mixer — you likely need 3–4 sockets along the counter
- Washing machine/dryer (in yard or kitchen)
Master bedroom:
- Bedside tables (both sides) — 2 sockets each side minimum for phone, lamp, CPAP if relevant
- Air conditioner power point
- Wardrobe interior lighting
- Dressing table area
- TV if planned
- Reading light if ceiling-mounted
Common bedroom(s):
- Bedside on both sides
- Aircon
- Study desk area — 3–4 points minimum
- Wardrobe interior lighting if applicable
Bathrooms:
- Water heater (storage or instant)
- Bidet/smart toilet if planned (needs a power point near the toilet)
- Mirror light if powered
- Hairdryer (not directly over sink, but accessible)
- Exhaust fan
The high-ampere circuits most people forget
Some appliances require dedicated 20A or 16A circuits (not the standard 13A), including: induction hobs, built-in ovens, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners (which have their own dedicated circuits anyway), and EV charger points if you drive electric.
Tell your electrician about every high-draw appliance at the rough-in stage. Adding a dedicated circuit later involves running new wiring from the distribution board — expensive and disruptive.
The smart home conversation
If you're considering smart switches, smart lighting, or a home automation system in the future, this is the time to run the additional wiring. Smart lighting systems like Lutron or Philips Hue often require neutral wire connections at switches — most HDB standard wiring doesn't include this. Adding neutral wires later requires opening walls. Add them during rough-in for minimal cost.
The two questions to ask your electrician
"How many additional points beyond the HDB standard are you assuming in this quote?"
- get the exact number. If they've assumed 5 additional points and you need 15, that's a significant variation order waiting to happen.
"Can you walk me through your recommended layout for each room and tell me what you'd add if this were your own home?"
- a good electrician gives you practical, experience-based advice, not just what you asked for.
The bottom line
A typical HDB renovation adds 10–18 power points beyond the HDB standard allocation. Each additional point costs roughly $80–$150 during rough-in. The same point added after renovation: $300–$500+. Do the planning now.
