Re-piping and new piping
Re-piping replaces a home's old water supply pipes, usually the original concealed pipes in an older HDB flat, with new pipes run along the walls or ceiling. It is worth considering when leaks keep coming back or the water runs rusty, and it must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber.
Typical price
$1,500–$5,000whole HDB flat, supply and installTypical job time
1–3 days for a whole HDB flat
Estimate, confirm on WhatsApp
PUB rule: this work must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber. Since 2018 it is an offence to engage an unlicensed plumber for it. You can check any plumber on PUB's Licensed Plumber Directory.What needs a licensed plumber
Signs to look for
- Leaks keep coming back in different places, especially in an older flat.
- Brown or rusty water when you first open a tap in the morning.
- Water pressure has dropped over the years at several taps.
- Visible corrosion, crusting or old repair clamps on exposed pipes.
- You are renovating, moving the kitchen or bathroom, or adding a new water point.
Common causes
- Original pipes in older flats reaching the end of their life after decades of use.
- Galvanised pipes rusting from the inside, which narrows the bore and stains the water.
- Repeated concealed pipe leaks that make one-off section repairs poor value.
- Renovation layouts that need new water points or moved connections.
- A mix of pipe materials from past repairs, with joints that keep failing.
Before you call
Safe things to try first
- Open a tap you have not used overnight and check whether the first water comes out brown or rusty.
- Do a meter test with every tap and appliance off to see whether there is an active leak now.
- Look at the exposed pipes under sinks and in the service yard for corrosion, crusting or old repair clamps.
Stop and call if
- Rusty water does not clear after running the tap for a minute or two.
- You have had more than one concealed pipe leak in the past few years.
What we do
- 1Inspect the existing pipes, check where they run, and do meter and pressure tests to find any active leaks.
- 2Agree the scope with you: the main pipe from the meter only, specific runs, or the whole home, and the route the new pipes will take.
- 3Plan exposed runs along ceiling lines and corners, so no structural wall is hacked and future repairs are easy.
- 4Install the new pipes, valves and fittings, connect each tap and appliance point, and cap off the old pipes. Water service pipe work must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber, who submits a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion to PUB after the work.
- 5Pressure-test the new system, flush it through, and confirm the meter stays still with every tap closed.
How much it costs
Most re-piping and new piping jobs in Singapore cost $1,500–$5,000 (whole HDB flat, supply and install). This is an estimate; the final price is confirmed on WhatsApp or on site before work starts.
- Reroute one short section as exposed pipe$250–$600
- Reroute several sections$1,000–$2,500
- Main supply pipe from the meter into the flat only$1,500–$2,000
- Whole HDB flat re-pipe$1,500–$5,000
HDB, condo and landed
HDB
Pipes after the meter belong to the owner, so re-piping is your decision and cost. HDB does not allow hacking of structural walls, so new pipes are usually run exposed along the walls or ceiling. If the work is part of a renovation, follow HDB's renovation rules.
Condo
Get the managing agent's approval before starting, especially if the work touches a riser or common wall, or needs the water shut off for long. Check the by-laws on work hours and noise.
Landed
You own the whole system from the PUB meter at the gate, including underground pipes. A survey first is worth it, because older houses often have a mix of pipe materials from past extensions.
Re-piping and new piping: common questions
How do I know if I need re-piping or just a repair?
One leak in otherwise sound pipe is a repair. Repeated leaks in different places, rusty water and visibly corroded pipes suggest the whole run is near the end of its life. Ask the plumber to show you the inside of a cut-out section.
Do I need to move out during re-piping?
Usually not for an HDB flat. The water is off for parts of each day while runs are connected. Keep a pail of water ready and expect some noise and dust.
Can the new pipes be hidden?
They can be run behind casing, along ceiling cornices or above a false ceiling. Chasing them into structural walls is not allowed in HDB flats. Hidden pipes look neater but are harder and costlier to repair later.
Does re-piping need a licensed plumber?
Yes. Installing or replacing water service pipes must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber, and since 1 April 2018 it is an offence to engage an unlicensed plumber for this work. You can check a plumber's licence on PUB's Licensed Plumber Directory.
Which pipe material is best?
Copper, stainless steel and PPR are all used in Singapore homes, and each has trade-offs in cost, joining method and how it handles hot water. What matters most is that the pipes and fittings meet PUB's standards and are installed properly.
Get a price for re-piping and new piping
Send a photo or short video, your home type and postal code. We reply with a price range and the earliest slot.
Open 24/7. All of Singapore.