Addition and Alteration works. Structural changes to a landed property or unit that need a qualified person to submit plans to the authorities before building starts.

Directional lighting that highlights a feature such as artwork, a textured wall or a display shelf, rather than lighting the room as a whole.

Build To Order. A new HDB flat bought directly from the board, handed over bare, so the first renovation covers flooring, carpentry and often the full kitchen.

The protective surface between a kitchen counter and the wall cabinets above it, usually tile, glass or a solid slab.

The structural box of a cabinet, before doors and finishes are fitted. Plywood carcasses cost more than particle board and last considerably longer in humid conditions.

An accreditation scheme for renovation businesses covering fair contract terms, deposit protection and a dispute resolution process.

A thin layer of cement laid over a slab to level it before the final floor finish goes down, or left exposed as an industrial look finish.

The moulded trim where a wall meets the ceiling. Used to soften the junction or to conceal the edge of a false ceiling.

The HDB Directory of Renovation Contractors. Only listed contractors may carry out renovation work in HDB flats.

The window after handover during which the contractor returns to fix faults at no charge. Confirm the length in writing before signing.

A secondary ceiling built below the structural one to hide pipes, ducting and wiring, and to house recessed lighting.

One wall finished differently from the rest of the room, using paint, tile, timber slats or stone, to give a space a focal point.

A wall or cabinet panel with evenly spaced vertical grooves. Widely used in Japandi and contemporary luxury schemes for texture without colour.

The Home Improvement Programme. An HDB upgrading scheme that replaces items such as pipes and toilets, and which can affect how you time a renovation.

Removing existing finishes or walls. Structural walls in an HDB flat cannot be hacked, and the extent of hacking is one of the largest variables in a quotation.

A tile with the same composition all the way through, so chips are far less visible than on a glazed tile. Common for floors in Singapore homes.

A dense compact laminate used for countertops and cabinet fronts. Hard wearing, heat resistant and often specified where a slim edge profile is wanted.

An L shaped section of false ceiling built around the perimeter of a room, commonly used to conceal ducting and to carry cove lighting.

A printed decorative surface bonded to a board substrate. The most common cabinet finish in Singapore because it balances cost, durability and choice.

A recess built into a false ceiling that holds concealed strip lighting, giving a soft indirect glow rather than a visible fixture.

A protective treatment applied to surfaces such as tile grout or glass to resist staining and water marks.

Laying a new floor finish directly over the existing one instead of hacking it off. Cheaper and quicker, but it raises the floor level.

An allowance in a quotation for work that cannot be priced exactly yet. It is adjusted up or down once the real scope is known, so check what it assumes.

An engineered stone made from crushed quartz and resin. A common countertop choice for its consistency and low maintenance compared with natural stone.

A written change to the agreed scope and price after work has started. Every variation should be signed before the work is carried out.

An HDB flat bought on the open market. Renovation usually involves removing previous owners work, so hacking and rewiring costs run higher than a BTO.

Replacing the electrical circuits in a home. Older flats often need it, and it is one of the three largest line items in a typical Singapore renovation.

A surface made by compacting mineral particles under heat and pressure. Very hard and heat resistant, used for countertops and large format wall slabs.

A thin plaster layer applied to smooth a wall before painting. Worth specifying where existing walls are uneven.

Hinges and runners with a damper so doors and drawers close quietly. Usually priced per unit, so confirm whether the quotation covers all of them.

Temporary Occupation Permit. The point at which a new development may be occupied, and the date renovation planning for a new condo usually works back from.

Heat treated safety glass that breaks into blunt granules rather than shards. Required for shower screens, kitchen backsplashes and balcony panels.

Adjustable spotlights mounted on a powered rail, letting you redirect light later without rewiring.

A layered synthetic floor that imitates timber or stone. Warm underfoot, water resistant and quick to install, which makes it popular for bedrooms.

The membrane laid under tiles in bathrooms, kitchens and balconies. Invisible once finished and the most expensive thing to put right later.

Any work involving cement, tiling, plastering or waterproofing. Along with carpentry and rewiring it dominates most renovation budgets.