How much does cabinet making & installation cost in Singapore?
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Key takeaways
- Most cabinet making & installation jobs in Singapore land between SGD 1,500–SGD 50,000 — known locally as carpentry / built-in carpentry contractor.
- Built-in carpentry is central to Singapore HDB/condo renovation and is priced by the foot run. It's unlicensed, but the renovation contractor must follow HDB/condo rules; any wall hacking to fit carpentry needs an HDB permit and BCA-related considerations.
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
Cabinet Making & Installation prices by job size in Singapore
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in wardrobe One fitted wardrobe built and installed | SGD 1,500 | SGD 3,500 | SGD 7,000 |
| Kitchen carpentry Kitchen cabinets and countertop base carpentry | SGD 4,000 | SGD 9,000 | SGD 18,000 |
| Whole-home carpentry package Kitchen, wardrobes, TV console and feature carpentry | SGD 12,000 | SGD 25,000 | SGD 50,000 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per foot run installed | SGD 150 | SGD 280 | SGD 500 |
What affects the price
- Job size and scope — bigger or more complex jobs move you up the ranges above.
- Access and condition — hard-to-reach areas, older properties or neglected maintenance add labour time.
- Materials and quality level — where materials are involved, the grade you choose often matters more than labour.
- Urgency — same-day or out-of-hours work usually carries a premium.
- Where you live — large metros in Singapore typically run above the national range; smaller towns below it.
How to save
- Get at least three quotes and compare like-for-like scopes, not just totals.
- Be flexible on timing — off-peak slots are often cheaper.
- Bundle related tasks into one visit to spread call-out costs.
- Agree the scope in writing up front to avoid change-order surprises.
How to hire a cabinet making & installation pro in Singapore
- Use a renovation carpenter experienced with HDB/condo built-ins
- Confirm carcass material (plywood vs blockboard vs laminate) and door finish
- Check hardware brand (Blum/Hettich, soft-close)
- Confirm the foot-run price includes carcass, doors, hardware and fitting
- Verify HDB permit needs for any hacking to accommodate carpentry
- Get a workmanship warranty in writing
Red flags
- Cheap moisture-prone board in wet areas
- Vague on hardware brand
- No foot-run breakdown
- Fitting or hardware quietly excluded
- No workmanship warranty
How Handld researches prices
These are researched estimates, not quotes and not our transaction data. We compile ranges from published sources — national statistics, trade bodies and incumbent cost guides — normalise them to SGD, and adjust city pages by a population-based cost tier. Last updated July 2026. Basis: Singapore renovation carpentry foot-run rates 2025; local contractor packages.
Frequently asked questions
Should I hire a cabinet maker or a kitchen company?
A cabinet maker/joiner builds to order and suits unusual spaces, one-off pieces and custom finishes. A kitchen company offers a designed package, showroom samples and project management. For a straightforward kitchen the company route is smoother; for character properties a joiner often wins.
What's the difference between flat-pack, semi-custom and bespoke cabinets?
Flat-pack (IKEA-style) is cheapest and modular; semi-custom uses standard carcasses with a wider choice of doors and sizes; bespoke is built to your exact space and spec. Bespoke costs the most but handles odd dimensions and features a modular range can't.
How much does custom cabinetry cost?
A single built-in unit like a wardrobe is the entry point; fitted kitchen cabinetry is a mid-range project; full bespoke joinery across a home is the big job. Cost is driven by linear metres/feet of run, the material and finish, and whether it's flat-pack, semi-custom or truly bespoke.
What materials are cabinets made from?
Carcasses are usually MDF, plywood or melamine-faced chipboard; fronts range from laminate and vinyl-wrapped MDF to solid timber and painted MDF. Plywood carcasses and solid or painted-MDF doors last longest; the cheapest chipboard swells if it gets wet.
How long does custom cabinetry take?
Bespoke joinery is made to order, so allow several weeks lead time before fitting even begins; a single built-in might be a day or two to install, a full kitchen a week. The making, not the fitting, is where the timeline sits — confirm lead times up front.
What should a cabinetry quote include?
Carcass material and thickness, door/front material and finish, hardware (hinges, runners, handles) and their brand, worktop if included, delivery, installation, and any templating or making-good. Vague per-unit prices hide big quality differences in materials and hinges.
How is carpentry priced in Singapore?
By the 'foot run' (linear foot) for cabinets and wardrobes, typically S$150-500 per foot depending on material, finish and hardware. A whole-home carpentry package (kitchen, wardrobes, TV console, feature walls) is commonly S$12,000-50,000.
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