Do glass partitions cost more to remove than drywall?

Yes. Glass partitions need careful dismantling, handling and disposal of the panels and framing, so they cost more to remove than a drywall partition, which is hacked and cleared more quickly. Both then need the floor, ceiling and walls made good where they were fixed.

Does removing a partition need a permit in Singapore?

Removing a non-structural tenant-installed partition for reinstatement generally does not need a permit. But anything structural, or works in an HDB flat that affect walls or waterproofing, may require approval and a registered contractor — always confirm before hacking.

Cost Guide

Partition Hacking & Removal Costs for Reinstatement

By REINSTATE.by MCSG · Updated 24 June 2026 · 5 min read

Removing a partition for reinstatement typically costs S$30–80 per square metre for drywall (with make-good), and more for glass or masonry. A single room partition often runs S$300–1,200; a full office strip-out is priced per square foot as part of make-good. Disposal and patching the floor, walls and ceiling are part of the job.

Added a partition to carve out a room or a meeting space? At the end of the lease it usually has to come out — and what it costs depends on what it's made of. Here's the breakdown for residential and office partition removal in Singapore.

Cost by partition type (2026)

Partition type	Remove + make good
Drywall / stud partition	S$30–80 / m² (≈ S$300–1,200 a room)
Glass partition	Higher — careful dismantling & disposal
Masonry / brick partition	Highest — hacking, debris & heavy make-good
Office fit-out (full strip-out)	Priced per sq ft as make-good

Indicative 2026 ranges including make-good and disposal. Glass and masonry cost more than drywall; office strip-outs are quoted within the overall make-good. Confirm against a written quote.

Why make-good drives the cost

A partition leaves its mark on the floor, ceiling and adjoining walls where it was fixed. After removal, those surfaces need patching, levelling and repainting to match — so "remove the partition" is really "remove and restore", which is where most of the cost sits.

Drywall vs glass vs masonry

Drywall / stud. Quickest to take down and clear — the cheapest to remove.
Glass. Panels and framing must be dismantled and disposed of carefully, raising cost.
Masonry / brick. Needs hacking, generates heavy debris, and leaves the most make-good.

For offices: it's part of make-good

In a commercial lease, partition removal is one element of the office reinstatement (make-good) — bundled with ceilings, M&E and flooring and priced per square foot. After-hours access and disposal rules in CBD buildings can add to it.

Do you need a permit?

Removing a non-structural, tenant-installed partition for reinstatement generally doesn't need a permit. Anything structural — or HDB works affecting walls or waterproofing — may need approval and a registered contractor. Confirm before any hacking.

Need a partition taken out before handover?

Send us the unit and the partition type — we'll quote removal and make-good against the original condition, strip it out, and restore the floor, walls and ceiling so it looks like it was never there.

WhatsApp us for a quote →

Cost ranges reflect 2026 Singapore reinstatement figures including make-good and disposal, and vary with partition material, size and access. Always confirm against a written quote and check permit requirements before hacking.