How Much Do Interior Designers Charge in Singapore?
Interior designer fees Singapore homeowners pay usually take one of three forms: a bundled design-and-build package, a separate design fee, or a percentage of the renovation cost. As an indicative guide, design-and-build packages for an HDB flat commonly start from SGD 30,000 to SGD 80,000 all in, while standalone design fees often run from SGD 3,000 to SGD 15,000 or a percentage of around 10 to 20 per cent of the build cost. This guide explains each model and what the fee covers.
How do interior designers charge?
Understanding the model matters more than the headline number, because each includes different things. The table compares the common approaches.
| Model | How it works | Indicative cost (SGD) |
|---|---|---|
| Design-and-build package | One firm designs and executes; fee bundled into the total | 30,000 – 80,000+ (HDB, full reno) |
| Standalone design fee | You pay for design and drawings; build is separate | 3,000 – 15,000+ |
| Percentage of build cost | Fee set as a share of construction value | 10 – 20 per cent |
| Consultation only | Advice and concept without full management | Hourly or fixed session fee |
These figures are indicative and vary with scope, property type and the level of bespoke work. A larger flat or condo with premium finishes sits well above the lower bands.
What does the fee actually include?
With a design-led firm, the fee typically covers more than a drawing. Expect it to include the following.
- Space planning and layout development tailored to how you live.
- Design concept, material and colour palettes, and mood direction.
- Drawings, including layout, carpentry and electrical plans.
- Sourcing of materials, finishes and sometimes furniture.
- Project management and coordination of trades.
- Site supervision through to handover and defect checks.
This is why a design fee is rarely comparable to a bare contractor quote. You are paying for planning and accountability, not just construction. See how this works in our full-home design service and our space planning service.
What affects how much you pay?
- Property type and size. A 5-room flat or condo costs more than a compact flat.
- Scope. Full-home design costs more than a single-room or kitchen-only project.
- Material grade. Premium finishes and bespoke joinery raise both build and fee.
- Level of service. Full management and supervision cost more than a design-only engagement.
- Customisation. Highly tailored layouts and detailing require more design hours.
Is an interior designer worth the fee?
For many homeowners, yes. A good designer saves money by avoiding costly mistakes, planning the layout once correctly, sourcing efficiently and coordinating trades so the project runs to schedule. The fee buys a cohesive result and a single point of accountability. If you have a clear plan and time to manage trades yourself, a contractor-only route can be cheaper. To weigh this up, read our guides on how to choose a renovation contractor and the questions to ask your interior designer. For specific budgets, see our 4-room HDB renovation cost guide.
How to budget for design fees
The clearest way to plan is to treat the design fee as part of a single renovation budget rather than a surprise on top of it. Decide your total comfortable spend first, then work backwards to see what scope it supports once the fee, the build and a contingency are accounted for. Homeowners who skip the contingency are the ones most often caught out, because almost every project meets at least one cost during works that was not visible at quotation, such as a hidden defect or a mid-project upgrade.
- Set the all-in figure first, then divide it across design, build and a buffer rather than adding the fee later.
- Hold back 10 to 15 per cent as contingency for variations and unforeseen works.
- Map payments to milestones, so cash leaves your account in step with progress rather than upfront.
- Account for the items outside the package, such as appliances, loose furniture and curtains, which add up quickly.
For a worked example on a common flat type, our 4-room HDB renovation cost guide breaks the numbers down further.
What is and is not included in a package
The most common cause of a quote feeling cheap and then climbing is a misunderstanding of what the package covers. Two firms can quote similar headline figures while including very different things, so it is worth checking the inclusions and exclusions line by line before comparing prices.
| Usually included | Often excluded |
|---|---|
| Space planning and design drawings | Kitchen and laundry appliances |
| Carpentry and built-in joinery | Loose furniture and soft furnishings |
| Basic electrical and lighting works | Smart-home systems and upgrades |
| Painting and standard floor finishes | Curtains, blinds and window treatments |
| Project management and supervision | Premium material upgrades beyond the quoted grade |
These are general patterns rather than fixed rules, so confirm each item against your own quote. A firm that itemises clearly and states exclusions up front is easier to trust than one offering a single round number.
How fees scale with property type and scope
The headline ranges shift considerably once you factor in the size and type of home and how much of it you are touching. A compact flat with a partial refresh sits at the lower end, while a larger condominium or a landed home with full bespoke work climbs well beyond the standard bands. The figures below are indicative and depend on finishes and the extent of customisation.
| Property and scope | Indicative design-and-build (SGD) |
|---|---|
| Compact HDB, partial renovation | 20,000 – 40,000 |
| 4 to 5-room HDB, full renovation | 40,000 – 80,000+ |
| Condominium, full design | 60,000 – 150,000+ |
| Landed home, full design | 150,000 – 400,000+ |
Scope drives the figure as much as size: a kitchen-and-bathroom project costs far less than a full home, and heavy carpentry or premium stone lifts both the build and the design hours behind it. This is why a meaningful quote follows a conversation about your actual plans rather than a flat per-square-foot rate. See how scope shapes the work in our full-home design service.
How to compare quotes without overpaying
A lower quote is not always cheaper once the project is finished, because the gaps are usually filled in later through variations. The way to protect yourself is to compare the substance behind each figure rather than the figure alone.
- Confirm the same scope across every quote, so you are not comparing a partial renovation against a full one.
- Check the material grades named, since a vague laminate or stone can be downgraded after you sign.
- Read the exclusions, which is where a tempting headline price quietly omits appliances or upgrades.
- Ask how variations are priced during works, so mid-project changes do not become open-ended costs.
A studio that itemises clearly and explains its variation policy is usually the safer choice, even where its number is not the lowest on the table.
FAQ
How much does an interior designer cost for an HDB flat?
A design-and-build package for a full HDB renovation commonly ranges from SGD 30,000 to SGD 80,000 (indicative), depending on flat size, scope and finishes. Standalone design fees are lower because the build is separate.
Do designers charge a percentage of the renovation cost?
Some do, typically around 10 to 20 per cent of the build cost. Others bundle design into a package or charge a fixed design fee. Always confirm the model before signing.
Is the design fee separate from materials and construction?
It depends on the model. In a bundled package the design fee is built into the total; in a standalone arrangement you pay for design separately from construction.
Can I just pay for a consultation?
Many firms offer a consultation or concept-only engagement for an hourly or fixed fee if you want professional input without full management. Ask what the session includes.
Why is a designer more expensive than a contractor?
A designer’s fee covers space planning, sourcing, drawings, project management and supervision, not just construction. The trade-off is a more cohesive outcome and fewer costly errors.
Want clarity on what your renovation would actually cost with a design-led studio? Book a consultation with Elements and we will explain our fees and what they include before you commit.