Planning a renovation in Malaysia? Get accurate 2025 renovation costs by room (living room, kitchen, bathroom) and by trade (tiling, painting, electrical). Includes KL, Selangor, Penang, and Johor pricing.
Renovation costs in Malaysia vary widely depending on the scope of work, quality of materials, and your location. This guide breaks down realistic 2025 renovation costs so you can budget accurately — and avoid overpaying.
Pro tip: Always upload your renovation quotation to RenoSmart's AI Audit tool. It automatically checks if the prices are fair, flags missing items, and identifies potential overcharges — for free.
Average Renovation Cost by Property Type
| Property Type | Basic (RM) | Mid-Range (RM) | High-End (RM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Condo (800–1,000 sqft) | 30,000–50,000 | 60,000–100,000 | 120,000+ |
| Terrace House (1,500 sqft) | 50,000–80,000 | 100,000–160,000 | 200,000+ |
| Semi-D (2,000 sqft) | 80,000–120,000 | 150,000–250,000 | 300,000+ |
| HDB (Singapore, 900 sqft) | SGD 30,000–50,000 | SGD 60,000–100,000 | SGD 120,000+ |
Renovation Cost by Room (Malaysia 2025)
Living & Dining Room
| Item | Unit | Price Range (RM) |
|---|---|---|
| Feature wall (plaster/timber) | per wall | 1,500–5,000 |
| Ceiling works (false ceiling) | per sqft | 15–35 |
| Flooring (tiles 60×60) | per sqft | 8–18 |
| Flooring (vinyl plank) | per sqft | 6–14 |
| Painting (2 coats) | per sqft | 1.50–3.00 |
| TV console (custom carpentry) | per unit | 3,000–8,000 |
| Curtain track + installation | per window | 300–800 |
Kitchen Renovation Cost
| Item | Unit | Price Range (RM) |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinet (full set) | per lineal ft | 350–800 |
| Quartz countertop | per sqft | 80–200 |
| Wall tiles (field) | per sqft | 5–15 |
| Floor tiles (heavy duty) | per sqft | 8–20 |
| Plumbing (sink, pipes) | lump sum | 1,500–4,000 |
| Kitchen hood & hob | per set | 1,500–5,000 |
| Backsplash (mosaic/subway) | per sqft | 15–40 |
Bathroom Renovation Cost
| Item | Unit | Price Range (RM) |
|---|---|---|
| Full bathroom hacking & rebuild | per bathroom | 8,000–20,000 |
| Wall tiles (full height) | per sqft | 6–18 |
| Floor tiles (anti-slip) | per sqft | 7–15 |
| Waterproofing (critical!) | per sqft | 8–20 |
| Shower screen | per unit | 800–3,500 |
| Vanity cabinet | per unit | 800–3,000 |
| Toilet bowl | per unit | 400–2,500 |
| Water heater installation | per unit | 300–800 |
⚠️ Waterproofing is the #1 item contractors skip to cut costs. If your quotation doesn't list waterproofing for bathrooms separately, demand it be added. A missing waterproofing job can lead to RM30,000+ in damage claims.
Renovation Cost by Trade
| Trade | Unit | Market Rate (RM) |
|---|---|---|
| Tiling (supply & install) | per sqft | 8–20 |
| Carpentry (custom) | per sqft | 150–400 |
| Painting (walls, 2 coats) | per sqft | 1.50–3.00 |
| Electrical (first point) | per point | 120–200 |
| Electrical (additional point) | per point | 80–150 |
| Plumbing (new point) | per point | 200–400 |
| False ceiling (gypsum) | per sqft | 15–30 |
| Masonry / Brickwork | per sqft | 30–80 |
| Glass & Aluminium works | per sqft | 80–200 |
| Air-con (supply & install, 1HP) | per unit | 1,200–2,500 |
Price Differences by State
| State | Cost Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kuala Lumpur | 100% (baseline) | Highest labour costs |
| Selangor (PJ, SS, Ara Damansara) | 95–100% | Similar to KL |
| Penang (Georgetown area) | 90–95% | Slightly lower |
| Johor Bahru | 80–90% | More competitive |
| Other states | 70–85% | Generally 15–30% cheaper |
| Singapore | 250–350% | SGD pricing, much higher |
How to Keep Renovation Costs Under Control
- 1Get at least 3 quotations — prices for the same job can vary 40–60% between contractors
- 2Ask for itemised breakdowns — never accept lump sum quotes without line items
- 3Audit your quotation with AI — tools like RenoSmart flag overpriced items instantly
- 4Fix your budget before meeting contractors — tell them your max budget upfront
- 5Don't skip waterproofing — it's cheap now, catastrophically expensive to fix later
- 6Negotiate payment terms — never pay more than 30% upfront
- 7Get everything in writing — verbal promises mean nothing in disputes
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a full renovation take in Malaysia?
A full condo renovation (800–1,000 sqft) typically takes 6–10 weeks. Landed property renovations take 10–16 weeks. Major factors affecting timeline: custom carpentry lead time (3–4 weeks), tile delivery, and contractor scheduling.
Is it cheaper to renovate or buy a new property?
In most cases, renovating is significantly cheaper. A full gut renovation of a 1,000 sqft condo costs RM60,000–120,000 vs. the RM200,000–500,000 price difference between a sub-sale unit and new launch in the same area.
What is NOT included in most renovation quotations?
- Furniture (beds, sofas, dining table) — usually separate
- Appliances (fridge, washing machine, oven) — usually separate
- Curtains and blinds — sometimes excluded
- Light fixtures — bulbs often excluded even if wiring included
- Rubbish disposal — check if included
- Touch-up works after moving in — usually a separate cost
💡 Use RenoSmart's free AI Quotation Audit to instantly check if your renovation quote is fair. Upload your PDF or Excel file and get a detailed analysis in under 30 seconds — including which items are overpriced, what's missing, and the estimated fair price.