“How much does it cost to renovate a home in Hong Kong?”

It sounds like a simple question.

But two apartments with exactly the same saleable area can have very different renovation costs.

A relatively new apartment where the owner keeps the existing bathrooms and flooring is very different from an older resale property requiring demolition, new electrical and plumbing works, two bathrooms, a new kitchen and extensive custom cabinetry.

That is why renovation cost in Hong Kong should be treated as a budget range first, not a single price per square foot.

A practical way to build the budget is:

Property condition → renovation scope → kitchen and bathrooms → electrical/plumbing → custom cabinetry → materials/design level → owner-supplied items → contingency.

Once these are reasonably clear, quotation comparisons become much more meaningful.

1. Why “price per square foot” is only a starting point

Homeowners often begin with:

“How much per sq. ft.?”

It is useful for getting a very early sense of budget level.

But floor area alone does not explain the amount of work involved.

A 500 sq. ft. apartment with one bathroom, a retained kitchen and limited cabinetry is very different from another 500 sq. ft. apartment with two bathrooms, a completely rebuilt kitchen, substantial electrical work and full-height custom storage.

The same floor area can therefore produce very different quotations.

A better question is:

“What scope of renovation am I actually asking the contractor or designer to price?”

2. A useful starting range for Hong Kong renovation planning

For early-stage budgeting, Designpedia’s current renovation calculator uses broad planning bands based on design and renovation requirements.

At present, the calculator uses roughly:

Practical/basic renovation: around HK$750–850+ per sq. ft.

More design-led renovation: around HK$900–1,100+ per sq. ft.

Higher-specification/customised renovation: around HK$1,200–1,500+ per sq. ft.

These are planning ranges rather than fixed quotations.

The actual cost may change substantially depending on property condition, demolition requirements, bathrooms, kitchen works, custom cabinetry, materials and the final design.

So a homeowner should not simply multiply the floor area by one number and assume the project has been fully budgeted.

3. Start with the condition of the property

Property condition can significantly change the renovation scope.

A new apartment may require comparatively little demolition or remedial work.

A resale flat may involve removing existing finishes, cabinets, flooring or bathrooms before new work can begin.

An older property may require more investigation into electrical systems, plumbing, drainage, walls or previous alterations.

This is why two apparently similar homes may start from very different cost positions.

Before focusing on the finish you want, first understand:

What needs to be removed? What can remain? What needs to be repaired or upgraded?

4. Decide whether you are doing a full renovation or a partial renovation

A full-home renovation naturally includes more trades and coordination.

This may involve demolition, electrical works, plumbing, waterproofing, tiling, painting, ceilings, doors, flooring, kitchen, bathrooms and custom cabinetry.

A partial renovation may focus only on certain rooms or finishes.

However, “partial” does not automatically mean cheap.

Renovating a kitchen and two bathrooms can still represent a substantial amount of work even if the bedrooms and living room are largely retained.

Budget according to scope, not simply whether the project is labelled “full” or “partial”.

5. Bathrooms can change the budget quickly

Bathrooms involve several different types of work in one relatively small space.

Depending on the scope, a bathroom renovation may involve demolition, plumbing, drainage, waterproofing, tiling, sanitary fittings, shower screens, cabinetry, mirrors, lighting and ventilation.

So when comparing two properties of the same size, the number of bathrooms matters.

A larger apartment with one simple bathroom could sometimes require less bathroom work than a smaller home with two bathrooms being fully rebuilt.

This is one reason why square-foot pricing alone can be misleading.

6. Kitchen cost depends on much more than cabinet length

Kitchen quotations can vary according to the layout and scope.

Key cost drivers may include demolition, cabinets, worktops, sink and tap, plumbing changes, electrical requirements, appliances and wall or floor finishes.

Custom kitchen cabinetry also changes with the number of drawers, tall units, internal fittings and appliance integration.

A simple kitchen retaining existing positions is very different from one where the sink, appliances and major services are being rearranged.

For budgeting purposes, the question should be:

“What are we actually changing in this kitchen?”

7. Electrical work is easy to underestimate

Electrical points are individually small, so homeowners sometimes underestimate how much the total electrical scope can grow.

A full renovation may involve lighting, switches, sockets, kitchen appliances, air-conditioning provisions, internet/data points, bedside charging, TV equipment, bathroom equipment and smart-home devices.

If the layout changes significantly, electrical positions may also need to change.

The earlier furniture, appliance and lighting decisions are made, the easier it is to define the electrical scope before quotations are finalised.

8. Plumbing becomes more important in older or heavily modified homes

Plumbing requirements vary greatly between projects.

Keeping the kitchen and bathrooms in approximately their existing positions is different from moving fixtures or extensively changing the layout.

Older properties may also present different conditions from newer homes.

The important budgeting principle is not to assume that plumbing is simply a small line item because most of it is eventually hidden.

Where substantial plumbing work is required, it should be understood before the budget is committed heavily to decorative features.

9. Custom cabinetry can be one of the biggest adjustable items

Custom cabinetry is particularly popular in Hong Kong because it can make better use of limited space.

But it can also expand rapidly.

A project may begin with a wardrobe and shoe cabinet, then gradually add a TV unit, dining storage, platform bed, desk, display cabinet, feature wall, window bench and full-height storage.

Individually, every addition may appear reasonable.

Together, they can materially change the budget.

The best approach is to ask:

Which pieces genuinely need to be built in, and which could be solved effectively with loose furniture?

Use custom cabinetry where it solves a real spatial or storage problem.

10. Interior design fees are not always presented in the same way

Hong Kong interior design companies do not all structure their quotations identically.

Some may separately list design services.

Others may incorporate design, drawings, project coordination or management into the wider renovation package.

Therefore, a quotation that does not show a separate line labelled “design fee” does not necessarily mean design has no cost.

Instead of comparing that one number, compare the overall service scope.

Does it include space planning, drawings, material selection, cabinetry design, project coordination and site follow-up?

The structure of the quotation matters as much as the label.

11. Materials can move the budget in both directions

Material choices affect cost, but not always in an obvious way.

Flooring, tiles, stone, cabinetry finishes, worktops, sanitary fittings, doors, hardware and paint can all vary widely.

The important point is not to choose the cheapest option in every category.

It is to decide where better materials will materially improve everyday use, durability or the overall design.

You may choose to spend more on a kitchen worktop or frequently used cabinetry while simplifying decorative finishes elsewhere.

Budgeting works better when priorities are deliberate.

12. Design complexity also has a cost

Two homes can use similar materials and still have different project costs.

A straightforward flat wall is different from a wall with integrated cabinetry, concealed doors, lighting details and several material transitions.

A simple ceiling is different from a highly detailed ceiling requiring extensive coordination.

Likewise, custom curves, complicated junctions and highly tailored furniture generally require more design and workmanship than standard solutions.

This does not mean detailed design is bad.

It simply means the design should be considered together with the available budget.

13. Do not forget owner-supplied items

One common budgeting problem is assuming the renovation quotation represents the full amount required before move-in.

It may not.

Depending on the quotation, you may still need to purchase some combination of furniture, appliances, air-conditioning, sanitary fittings, lighting, curtains, mattresses or other loose items.

Before accepting a renovation budget, ask:

“What is not included?”

This question can be as important as studying what is included.

14. Compare quotations by scope before comparing total price

Suppose one quotation is significantly cheaper than another.

That does not immediately mean it offers better value.

The lower quotation may exclude work that the other company has included.

Compare major categories such as demolition, electrical work, plumbing, waterproofing, tiling, painting, ceilings, doors, bathrooms, kitchen and cabinetry.

Then look at exclusions and specifications.

Only after the scope is reasonably aligned does the bottom-line price become genuinely useful.

A simple rule is:

Scope first. Price second.

15. Be careful with very broad quotation descriptions

A line such as:

“Electrical works — lump sum”

may be difficult to compare unless you understand what it covers.

The same applies to cabinetry, plumbing, demolition or bathroom works.

You do not necessarily need every nail and screw individually priced.

But the quotation should be clear enough for you to understand the major scope being purchased.

If you cannot explain what a large line item includes, ask before signing.

16. Changes during construction can increase cost

One of the easiest ways for a renovation budget to grow is repeated design changes after work has started.

Moving a socket on a drawing is easy.

Moving it after walls have been finished may involve additional work.

Changing cabinetry dimensions before manufacture is different from changing them after production has begun.

This is why major layout, electrical, plumbing, kitchen, bathroom and built-in furniture decisions should be substantially settled before construction progresses too far.

Good planning does not eliminate every change.

It reduces unnecessary ones.

17. Older properties deserve a different budget mindset

Older apartments can contain conditions that are difficult to fully assess while existing finishes remain in place.

Demolition may reveal issues requiring further consideration.

That does not mean every older property will automatically exceed budget.

It means homeowners should avoid spending every available dollar on visible finishes before understanding the underlying condition.

If the property is older, prioritise the work that would be disruptive to revisit after move-in.

18. A realistic budget needs priorities, not only a maximum number

Instead of simply saying:

“My maximum budget is HK$X.”

divide your decisions into three groups.

Must-have: work that is required for the home to function properly or meet your core needs.

High priority: features you strongly value and would prefer to keep.

Optional: features that could be simplified or removed if the quotation becomes too high.

You do not need to formally name these categories in your contract.

They are a decision tool.

When quotations arrive above expectation, you can then reduce the least important items instead of randomly cutting work.

19. Do not cut hidden or fundamental work just to protect decorative features

When budgets become tight, it is tempting to keep the visible design and reduce less exciting items.

That can be the wrong priority.

If electrical, plumbing, waterproofing or other necessary underlying work genuinely needs attention, it is usually harder to revisit after cabinets, tiles and finishes are installed.

Decorative furniture, styling and some loose items can often be changed later.

The hidden foundation is much harder to redo once you have moved in.

20. Build flexibility into the budget

A renovation budget should not be designed so tightly that any small change creates financial stress.

The amount of flexibility required depends on the project.

A relatively straightforward newer apartment with a clearly defined scope may carry less uncertainty than an older property requiring extensive demolition.

Rather than blindly applying one universal contingency percentage, think about risk.

Ask:

How much of the property can we currently see? How many existing elements are being removed? How fixed is the design? How many owner selections remain undecided?

The more uncertainty, the more useful a financial buffer becomes.

21. Use the budget calculator as a starting point, not a quotation

Designpedia’s Hong Kong Renovation Budget Calculator is designed to help homeowners form an early budget expectation.

It takes into account factors such as property condition, saleable area, renovation scope, bathrooms, kitchen requirements and the amount of custom cabinetry.

You can use the Designpedia Renovation Budget Calculator before meeting interior design companies.

The purpose is not to replace a quotation.

It is to help you recognise whether your expectations are broadly aligned before detailed design work begins.

22. When should you ask interior design firms for quotations?

You do not need every final finish selected before speaking to design firms.

But you should ideally know the basic property information, renovation scope, household needs, major layout requirements, kitchen and bathroom requirements, approximate cabinetry needs and your expected budget range.

That gives firms enough information to understand your project.

It also makes quotation comparison far more meaningful.

If you are planning your first renovation, the broader Hong Kong Renovation Guide explains the full process from planning through handover.

You can also browse interior design firms in Hong Kong and compare firms whose project experience fits the type of home you are renovating.

23. The cheapest renovation is not always the lowest-cost decision

A low initial quotation may be attractive.

But value depends on what the quotation actually includes, whether the specification matches your expectations, how changes are handled and whether the finished home meets the intended use.

Likewise, a more expensive quotation is not automatically better.

The goal is not to find the highest or lowest price.

It is to understand:

What am I paying for, what is excluded, and does the scope match what I actually need?

A realistic renovation budget starts before the quotation arrives

The strongest position for a homeowner is not knowing the exact final price on day one.

That is rarely possible.

It is understanding enough about the project to recognise whether a quotation makes sense.

Start with:

Property condition → scope → essential works → kitchen and bathrooms → cabinetry → design level → owner-supplied items → buffer.

Then compare quotations on equivalent scope.

That turns the question from:

“Is this renovation expensive?”

into the much more useful question:

“Is this the right cost for the work and design I am asking for?”

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does renovation cost per square foot in Hong Kong?

For early planning, Designpedia’s current calculator uses broad bands of around HK$750–850+ per sq. ft. for more practical/basic renovation, around HK$900–1,100+ for more design-led projects, and around HK$1,200–1,500+ for higher-specification/customised projects.

These are planning ranges, not fixed quotations. Actual pricing depends on property condition, scope, bathrooms, kitchen, cabinetry, materials and design.

Is a 500 sq. ft. apartment simply 500 multiplied by the per-square-foot rate?

That can produce an initial budget reference, but it should not be treated as the final project cost. Two 500 sq. ft. homes can have very different bathroom, kitchen, electrical and cabinetry requirements.

Does the renovation quotation normally include furniture and appliances?

It depends on the quotation. Some items may be excluded or owner-supplied, so always confirm what is included before comparing total project budgets.

Is an older apartment always more expensive to renovate?

Not necessarily. However, an older property may require more investigation or remedial work depending on its condition and previous renovations.

Should I choose the lowest renovation quotation?

Not purely on price. First check whether the scope, specification and exclusions are comparable.

Is custom cabinetry expensive?

The cost depends on the amount, materials, hardware and complexity. Because cabinetry can expand throughout the home, it is one of the areas where homeowners can often adjust scope to manage the overall budget.

How much contingency should I keep?

There is no universal percentage suitable for every project. The appropriate buffer depends on property condition, how much demolition is involved, how well defined the scope is and how many design decisions remain uncertain.

Can Designpedia give me an exact renovation quote online?

The calculator provides an initial planning range rather than a contractor quotation. Final pricing requires a defined scope, design requirements and assessment by the relevant renovation or interior design firm.