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 Mr Kobayashi, Operations Lead, REINSTATE.by MCSG · Updated 24 June 2026 · 5 min read · In the 2026 cost index

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.

References & further reading

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