How much does it cost to restore parquet flooring for reinstatement?

Sanding and re-polishing parquet flooring in Singapore typically costs S$500–2,500 depending on the area and condition, or roughly S$1.50–4 per square foot. Spot-repairing a few damaged boards is cheaper; full re-varnishing of a whole unit sits at the upper end.

Are floor scratches fair wear and tear?

Light surface scratches and minor scuffs from normal walking are usually fair wear and tear — the landlord's cost. Deep gouges, water-warped boards, burns, or cracked tiles are damage the tenant is responsible for. The move-in inventory and the depth of the marks decide which it is.

Is it cheaper to polish or replace flooring?

Polishing or re-varnishing is far cheaper than replacement and resolves most surface wear, so it's the default for parquet reinstatement. Replacement is only needed where boards or tiles are structurally damaged, warped or cracked beyond a surface fix.

Cost Guide

Parquet & Flooring Reinstatement Cost in Singapore

By Mr Kobayashi, Co-Founder, REINSTATE.by MCSG · Updated 24 June 2026 · 5 min read · In the 2026 cost index

Sanding and re-polishing parquet for reinstatement typically costs S$500–2,500 (≈ S$1.50–4 per sq ft), depending on area and condition. Vinyl and laminate are usually spot-repaired or part-replaced; tiles are replaced where cracked. Most floor wear is restored by polishing — not full replacement.

Floors take the most wear of any surface in a rented home — and at handover they're a common deduction. The good news: most of it polishes out. Here's what flooring reinstatement actually costs in Singapore, by type, and where the fair-wear line sits.

Cost by flooring type (2026)

Flooring	Typical reinstatement cost
Parquet — sand & re-varnish	S$500–2,500 (S$1.50–4 / sq ft)
Parquet — spot board repair	S$150–600
Vinyl / laminate — part replace	S$200–900
Tiles — replace cracked/chipped	S$150–800
Polishing / buffing only	S$200–700

Indicative 2026 ranges; cost scales with area, depth of damage and material availability (matching old tiles can be tricky). Confirm against a written quote.

Fair wear vs damage on floors

Light surface scratches and scuffs from normal walking are usually fair wear and tear; deep gouges, burns, water-warped boards and cracked tiles are damage. The move-in inventory and the depth of the mark decide which side of the fair wear and tear line it falls on.

Polish or replace?

Polish / re-varnish. Resolves most surface wear on parquet — cheaper, faster, the default.
Spot repair. For a few damaged boards or planks, without redoing the whole floor.
Replace. Only where boards or tiles are structurally damaged, warped or cracked beyond a surface fix.

Where flooring fits in reinstatement

Flooring restoration is one line in the overall condo reinstatement — usually bundled with repaint and make-good. Watch the hidden cost of matching old tiles or a landlord charging full replacement for a surface scratch (that's betterment, and it's challengeable).

Floors marked up before handover?

Send us the unit and the flooring type — we'll assess what's genuine damage vs fair wear, quote polishing or repair against the move-in condition, and restore the floor as part of a clean handover.

WhatsApp us for a quote →

Cost ranges reflect 2026 Singapore residential reinstatement figures and vary with flooring type, area, damage depth and material matching. Always confirm against a written quote.

References & further reading

Authoritative Singapore sources for further reading. This guide is general information, not legal advice — confirm current rules with the relevant authority.