How Malaysians & Singaporeans Use Tech to Plan, Design and Renovate Homes in 2025

The 2025 reality: tech is the new renovation playbook

In 2025, most homeowners here don’t begin by walking into a showroom — they start on their phones. Discovery, shortlist, design drafts, budgets, even progress tracking all run through apps. In Singapore that often means Qanvast, Hometrust, HomeRenoGuru, Renopedia and similar portals that combine inspiration, reviews and instant firm introductions. In Malaysia, Atap.co and Recommend.my fill the same gap.

A big shift in the last 18 months is how AI and AR moved from novelty to utility: Apple rolled out Apple Intelligence in more languages/regions (including localized English for Singapore in 2025), while Android 15 arrived with Private Space and other privacy/security upgrades that are handy when you share devices during renovations.

Where people actually start: local platforms & communities

• Singapore:
  Qanvast (trend guides, price ranges, verified firms with booking & Supertrust badges, and a budget estimator); Hometrust (review‑driven matching); HomeRenoGuru and Renopedia (large directories & social presence). Expect a call from several IDs once you submit.

• Malaysia:
  Atap.co connects owners with vetted IDs; Recommend.my focuses on broader home services (including renovation & interior design) with apps for both customers and pros.

Note: In 2022, Kaodim (a once‑popular SEA services marketplace) shut down — if you see old blog posts recommending it, they’re outdated.

How to use these platforms well:

1. Create a tight brief (2–3 mood keywords + constraints like “no hacking bedrooms,” “child‑safe,” “acoustic treatment”).

2. Upload your floor plan early (HDB lets you buy official plans; resale owners can purchase plans via HDB e‑services).

3. Ask for 3–5 quotes max, apples‑to‑apples scope.

4. Prioritise firms with case studies for your unit type (e.g., “4‑room BTO Tengah,” “1100‑sqft condo partial reno”), and read recent reviews.

The design stack: from moodboards to pro‑grade 3D

Moodboards & ideas: Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok — plus new AI tools like Google’s Mixboard to iterate palettes and references.

Drafting & 3D:

• SketchUp (2025) for quick volumes & layouts (now with improved visualization & materials).

• AutoCAD for precise 2D floor plans & technical drawings; Autodesk notes AI‑assisted efficiencies and interior rendering through 3ds Max.

• Real‑time viz: Lumion and Twinmotion (Unreal/Epic) for fast client‑friendly renders/animation; both integrate with major CAD/BIM tools.

• Newer entries like D5 Render are gaining traction in SEA (e.g., showcased at ARCHIDEX 2025).

Designers today often bounce between SketchUp → Lumion/Twinmotion for iterations, because you can update the model and re‑render quickly for client approvals.

AR, LiDAR & scanning your actual rooms

Your phone can scan rooms to generate floor plans:

• Polycam (iPhone/iPad with LiDAR) produces 2D floor plans and scale‑accurate blueprints exportable to CAD; it’s handy to verify measurements and share with IDs.

• magicplan builds 2D/3D plans plus site reports and estimates — lots of contractors use it.

• IKEA app/Place/Studio for quick AR furniture try‑ons and product sizing before you commit.

• Homestyler offers browser/app 3D design with AI restyling and cloud renders (great for non‑pros testing layouts).

Using ChatGPT & AI without getting lost

Where AI helps most:

• Briefing & scoping: Ask ChatGPT to create a room‑by‑room scope, shopping list, and timeline from your floor plan and photos.

• Comparisons: “Compare quartz vs sintered stone counters for a family of 4 who cooks daily; include pros/cons, price bands, maintenance.”

• Tendering support: Generate a common BOQ format so quotes are comparable.

• Communications: Draft WhatsApp/Email messages to IDs, polite call‑outs for missed items, and change‑order summaries.

Public stories and industry write‑ups show homeowners/designers using ChatGPT and AI interior tools to speed planning/moodboards — with the important caveat that human expertise still matters.

Pro tip: Treat AI outputs as a first draft. Validate materials/permits with official sources (HDB, JMB/MC, local councils). See section 9 below.

Hiring designer vs app‑first vs hybrid

• Designer‑led: Best for structural changes, custom carpentry, complex M&E, or a cohesive style. Most IDs here already use SketchUp/AutoCAD + Lumion/Twinmotion, and will happily work with your Polycam scans and Pinterest boards.

• App‑first (DIY): Great for cosmetics (paint, loose furniture, lighting layers, storage systems). Use Homestyler for layouts and IKEA/AR for fit.

• Hybrid: You rough‑in the plan (scans, moodboards, BOQ) and hire an ID just for detailing & project management. This is increasingly common and budget‑friendly.

What’s “in” with younger homeowners (2025 trends)

Across Singapore & Malaysia, 2025 is heavy on warm earth tones, textured finishes, and lighting layers, with Japandi/Muji‑inspired spaces still dominant for BTOs and compact condos.

You’ll see:

• Light woods, ribbed panels, micro‑cement, terrazzo accents;

• Concealed storage and multifunction furniture;

• Biophilic touches (plants, daylight, natural fibers).

Local galleries show these trends in real units (BTOs, HDBs, condos) — and many are achieved on sensible budgets.

Budgeting like a pro (with 2025 figures)

Singapore (guide ranges)

• HDB BTO (new): ~S$36k–S$82k from 3‑ to 5‑room (scope dependent).

• HDB resale (4‑room average): ~S$64k–S$80k typical in 2025.

• Condo: 2‑bed ~S$25k–S$50k; 3‑bed ~S$40k–S$60k; higher for luxury/overhauls.
  Source: Condo Renovation Cost & Financing Guide in Singapore (2025)

• Landed A&A: Broad, S$300k–S$1.5m+ depending on scope.

Malaysia (rule‑of‑thumb)

• Typical interior works: ~RM40–200 per sq ft depending on finishes and scope (condo partial vs landed overhaul).
  Source: Home Renovation Cost in Malaysia: Budget Breakdown

Payments & financing tools

• BNPL is common for furniture/fixtures (e.g., Atome, Grab PayLater). ShopBack PayLater was discontinued in 2024; Pace liquidated in 2023. Use these carefully to avoid budget drift.

Where to shop (digital‑first)

• Malaysia: Shopee, MR.DIY (online store) for hardware and fittings.

• Singapore: HipVan for furniture; Lazada for fixtures/tools.

Budget control tips

• Lock a top‑line cap (e.g., S$55k) and a 10% contingency.

• Keep a decision register (SKU, finish, price, ETA).

• Fix a variation order process (written change orders only).

Permits & rules (don’t skip this)

Singapore (HDB):

• Many works require HDB permits, and noisy works are restricted (typically 9am–5pm weekdays; no noisy works on weekends/PH). Check the official HDB pages and block‑specific guidelines before you sign.

• You can purchase official HDB floor plans online to plan accurately.

Malaysia (strata & local councils):

• Strata homes are governed by the Strata Management Act 2013 and by‑laws; most condos require JMB/MC approval, deposits, and follow working‑hour rules (often weekdays 9–5). Landed extensions may need council permits (e.g., MBPJ/DBKL). Always check your building’s house rules and your council’s requirements.

First‑person walkthrough: “I just got my keys — here’s how I’d run it”

(A practical, first‑person template you can follow; not a record of my personal experience.)

Day 0: Pick a design direction

• I open Instagram and Qanvast, save 10 shots that match “Japandi, warm wood, hidden storage, soft lighting.” I create a board in Google Drive/Notion with those images and short notes (“fluted TV wall,” “integrated study nook”).

Day 1: Floor plan & scan

• I buy my HDB floor plan (or get the developer’s condo plan), then walk the unit with Polycam, generating a 2D floor plan to verify measurements. I mark wall lengths, window widths, and beam bulkheads directly on the plan.

Day 2: Scope with ChatGPT

• I paste the floor plan and write: “Draft a room‑by‑room scope for a 4‑room HDB with ≤S$60k budget; highlight where I can avoid hacking and get 80% of the look.” I ask for a BOQ table template. I also ask for a lighting plan outline (ambient/task/accent).

Day 3: Get 3–5 IDs

• I submit the brief on Qanvast/Hometrust and pick three firms that match my style and budget. I attach the floor plan scan, brief, and my “must‑haves / nice‑to‑haves” list. I ask for a like‑for‑like quote and a timeline.

Week 1–2: Iterate designs

• With the shortlisted ID, I review SketchUp massing and Lumion renderings. We pin down carpentry runs, laminate codes, and appliance cut‑outs. For the kids’ room, I sanity‑check dimensions in the IKEA app using AR.

Week 3: Lock scope & payment schedule

• I line‑item every carpentry piece, confirm laminate/stone SKUs, and include allowances (e.g., S$1,500 for sanitaryware). I sign off with a staged payment schedule tied to milestones (demolition, M&E, carpentry install). If I must split payments (fixtures/furniture), I might use Atome/Grab PayLater for cashflow — carefully.

Weeks 4–10: Execution

• I create a site WhatsApp group. The contractor shares progress photos daily. I do two sign‑offs: after wet works & after carpentry dry‑fit. Variations require written approval with price/time impact.

Handover: We run a snag list (doors, soft‑close, paint touch‑ups). I keep all warranties, drawings, appliance manuals, and a digital folder of as‑builts.

Smart‑home decisions that won’t blow the budget

Pick a platform first (Google Home, Apple Home, or vendor ecosystems like Philips Hue, Xiaomi/Aqara) and keep it simple: smart lighting layers, door sensors, maybe a camera at the gate. Confirm availability in your market.

• Lighting: Start with Hue bulbs/strips in living/sleeping and a few wired smart switches elsewhere.

• Sensors: Aqara contact & motion sensors integrate well and are widely sold regionally.

• Voice: Google Assistant/Nest is officially sold in SG; Apple Home works across SG/MY; pick based on phones you use.

Pitfalls, red flags & contract sanity checks

• Unclear scope or missing drawings → delays and disputes.

• Too‑good‑to‑be‑true quotes → watch for under‑scoped carpentry and PC sums.

• Permit blind spots → HDB or JMB/MC penalties are real; check rules before you hack.

• Payment front‑loading → keep a retention till defects are rectified.

• Old platform advice → avoid relying on Kaodim era posts.

FAQ (quick answers)

Q: Do I need a permit for HDB hacking/retiling?

Often yes. Check HDB’s official renovation & applying for approval pages; timing restrictions apply for noisy works.

Q: What’s a realistic 2025 budget for a 4‑room BTO?

Broadly S$51k–S$62k; can be lower with minimal hacking/carpentry, or higher with premium finishes.

Q: Typical Malaysia costs?

A wide RM40–200 psf band depending on scope/finishes; condo partial renos skew to the lower half, landed overhauls higher.

Q: Which apps are pros actually using?

SketchUp/AutoCAD + Lumion/Twinmotion for design/visuals; Polycam/magicplan for measurements; Homestyler for quick layouts; platform portals for leads and reviews.

Q: Is ChatGPT replacing designers?

No — it accelerates planning and communication, but complex detailing, safety, and compliance require human pros.

See also: Gemini vs ChatGPT: The Real-Life Travel Planning Showdown (2025 Comparison)