Quick answer: we plaster, skim coat and repair walls in HDB flats, condos and landed homes across Singapore, then repaint them in the same job. Cracks and holes fixed as part of a repaint cost $40 to $290 for major peeling and putty repair. Larger skim coat or replastering jobs are quoted from photos. In HDB flats, plastering needs no permit, but pre-packed material must be used.
What we plaster and repair
- Skim coating: a thin finishing layer over rough, patchy or uneven walls, so paint goes on smooth.
- Crack and hole repair: hairline cracks, nail and screw holes, and gaps left after removing fittings.
- Replastering damaged areas: loose, hollow-sounding or crumbling plaster cut out and rebuilt.
- Plastering after renovation: patching around new wiring, removed tiles or hacked areas.
- Ceiling patching: cracks and patches on ceilings before repainting.
- Painting to finish: sealer and two coats of Nippon paint, colour-matched to the room.
Plastering or skim coat: which do you need?
A skim coat smooths a wall that is basically sound. Plastering rebuilds or levels a wall that is damaged, uneven or newly exposed.
| Skim coat | Plastering | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer | Thin finishing layer | Thicker layer that rebuilds or levels |
| Use it for | Rough or patchy walls, small dents, old texture | Damaged, crumbling or very uneven walls, areas after hacking |
| Drying before paint | Faster | Longer, depending on thickness and product |
| Then | Sand, sealer, paint | Skim, sand, sealer, paint |
Signs your walls need plastering
- Paint keeps peeling in the same place even after repainting
- The wall sounds hollow when tapped, or plaster crumbles
- Rough, wavy or patchy walls that show through the paint
- Cracks that reopen after being painted over
- Bare or uneven areas after removing tiles, wallpaper, cabinets or wiring
If paint is the only problem, see why paint peels off walls. If the wall is damp, fix the moisture first, because plaster and paint will not hold on a wet wall.
HDB rules for plastering
Cement and sand plastering, gypsum plastering: no permit required. Condition: “Pre-packed material must be used for plastering” (HDB building works guidelines).
Contractor: HDB asks owners to “engage only contractors from the Directory of Renovation Contractor (DRC) to carry out the renovation, including those works that do not require HDB’s approval” (HDB).
Working hours: general renovation work is allowed Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm. Noisy work such as hacking is allowed Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (HDB renovation guide).
Checked against HDB’s Renovation Guidelines on 1 November 2026.
Hairline cracks: what HDB recommends
HDB explains that cracks often appear along the joints between block walls and concrete beams or columns, because different materials expand and contract with temperature changes. For hairline cracks, HDB suggests repainting with a flexible sealant or elastomeric paint. For wider cracks, it recommends engaging a contractor (HDB: fixing wall cracks). Cracks that keep growing, run diagonally or come with damp stains should be checked before anyone covers them up.
How we work
- Photos first: WhatsApp us photos of the wall, close-up and from a distance, and tell us the flat type.
- Protect: we cover floors and furniture and move furniture away from the wall.
- Remove: loose paint and unsound plaster are scraped or cut out.
- Repair: cracks and holes are filled, and damaged areas are plastered with pre-packed material.
- Skim and sand: a skim coat levels the surface, and we sand it smooth once dry.
- Seal and paint: sealer on all repaired areas, then two coats of Nippon paint to match the room.
- Clean up: we clear the dust and debris before we leave.
Plastering prices
Plastering is quoted from photos, because the area and damage vary a lot. These fixed prices apply when we repaint:
| Work | Price |
|---|---|
| Major peeling and putty repair | $40 to $290, depending on the damage |
| Sealer on new or patched walls | +$40 per room, or +$140 to $340 for the whole unit |
| Repaint one room | from $270 (Nippon Matex White) |
| Repaint a whole HDB flat | from $589 (2-room) to $1,239 (executive maisonette), Basic package |
See every package and add-on on our painting price list.
Plaster and repaint in one job
Many plastering contractors leave the wall “ready for paint” and you then need a painter. We do both, so there is no gap between trades, the repaired areas are sealed properly, and the paint is matched to the rest of the room.
HDB, condo and landed homes
- HDB flats: follow HDB’s renovation guidelines above. Common jobs are cracks along beams, patching after renovation and smoothing older walls before a repaint.
- Condos: check your management office’s renovation rules and hours first. See condo painting.
- Landed homes: inside walls and external walls exposed to rain and sun. See landed house painting.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to plaster a wall in Singapore?
It depends on the area and the damage, so we quote from photos. When done with a repaint, major peeling and putty repair is $40 to $290, and sealer is +$40 per room.
Should plastering be done before painting?
Yes. Plaster and skim coat first, let them dry, sand, apply sealer, then paint. Painting over unsealed new plaster can cause patchy colour and peeling.
Can you plaster just one wall?
Yes. We can repair one wall or one area and repaint it to match the room.
Do I need an HDB permit for plastering?
No. Cement and sand or gypsum plastering does not need a permit, but HDB requires pre-packed material and a DRC-listed contractor.
How long before I can paint over new plaster?
It depends on the product and thickness: thin skim coats dry faster than thick plaster. We wait until the repair is fully dry before applying sealer and paint.
Related guides
- HDB partition wall: TV mounting, thickness and rules
- What sealer paint is for
- Why paint peels off walls
- BTO painting guide
Walls need plastering?
WhatsApp us photos of the wall and your flat type. We’ll quote the plastering and the repaint together.
Get Your FREE
Quotation Now!
Phone
+6587480535



