Thinking of giving your older flat a full makeover but not sure where to start? In short, a complete old-flat renovation and interior design project begins with understanding your needs, then moves through site measurement, floor planning, 3D renderings, material selection and quotation, into construction stages — demolition, electrical and plumbing, waterproofing, carpentry and painting — and finishes with inspection, warranty documents and move-in. Below, NOON Interior Design walks you through it step by step, with an owner tip at every stage so you can renovate with confidence.
The main difference between an older flat and a new one is that pipes, wiring and waterproofing are usually aged and often need full replacement. With a clear process and checkpoints at each stage, the renovation can be smooth and stress-free.
A. Understand the unit, style preferences & budget
We start by talking: the flat’s age and condition, your lifestyle, the style you love (e.g. light-luxury or minimalist) and your budget — so the design direction is focused from day one.Owner tip:Separate your “must-haves” from your “nice-to-haves”, and set aside a contingency, since older flats can reveal extra work once opened up.
B. On-site measurement
The designer measures the flat in person — ceiling height, window sills, beams and pipe positions — and checks concrete, cracks and any seepage, forming an accurate basis for design and quotation.Owner tip:Photograph the flat’s current state on measuring day to keep a clear record.
C. Floor plan proposal
Based on the measurements and your needs, we propose a floor layout — partitions, flow and storage — to make the most of every square foot.Owner tip:Focus on whether the flow is smooth and storage is sufficient, and confirm the purpose of each space.
D. 3D design renderings
Once the layout is set, we produce 3D renderings so you can “see” your future home before work begins — colours, materials and lighting mood included.Owner tip:NOON confirms the main materials first, then produces the renderings — avoiding repeated revisions and keeping the visuals true to the finished result.
E. Confirm design & materials
Together we select and confirm the main materials — floor and wall tiles, countertop stone, wood veneer, hardware and paint colours — checking physical samples.Owner tip:Get all sizes, materials and colours confirmed in writing or by sample to avoid surprises later.
F. Quotation & contract
The quotation itemises material brands, models, quantities, unit prices and responsibilities; the contract clearly states scope, drawings, payment and warranty terms.Owner tip:Payment is usually staged — hold the final instalment until inspection and touch-ups are complete.
G. Construction drawings
After the design is confirmed, we prepare detailed construction drawings — floor plans, socket layouts and lighting circuits — as the guide for the trades on site.Owner tip:Clearer drawings mean fewer on-site errors; ask the designer to confirm socket and switch positions suit your daily habits.
H. Arrange works insurance
Before work starts, the relevant insurance (such as third-party liability and labour insurance) is arranged; building management offices often require it too.Owner tip:Before signing, confirm whether insurance is included in the works scope and whether the coverage is sufficient.
I. Demolition
We remove old partitions, floor screed, wall tiles and ceilings, plus aged pipes and flaking plaster, to lay a clean base for the full renovation.Owner tip:Load-bearing walls and structural elements are never removed — only non-structural partitions; any hazardous material is handled by qualified specialists.
J. Electrical & plumbing
In older flats these are usually aged, so we typically replace all copper or PPR water pipes, renew wiring and increase the main switch capacity, with dedicated circuits for high-power appliances like air-conditioners and water heaters.Owner tip:Use this stage to re-plan all sockets and low-voltage cabling (network, TV, smart-home) at once, so there are no exposed pipes or wires later.
K. Waterproofing (key for old flats)
Kitchens, bathrooms and balconies are stripped back and re-waterproofed, followed by a water-ponding test of at least 24 hours before any tiling.Owner tip:Waterproofing is the most common source of seepage in old flats — keep the test records, and coordinate early with neighbours if any cross-unit seepage exists.
L. Masonry, plastering & tiling
We correct floor levels and drainage slopes, redo flaking plaster, and lay the floor and wall tiles on a properly prepared base.Owner tip:After tiling, a light tap check reveals any “hollow” tiles, ensuring a durable finish.
M. Carpentry & custom furniture
We build custom cabinetry to the design using eco-friendly boards (E0/E1) — moisture-resistant board for damp units — with recesses left for built-in appliances, AC and curtain boxes.Owner tip:Note the hardware brands and models (hinges, sliding tracks, runners) — they directly affect durability and everyday feel.
N. Painting & finishes
Skim-coating, sanding, primer and topcoats using low-VOC paint, finishing with feature walls, wallpaper or decorative panels.Owner tip:Have the number of paint coats stated in the contract, and check walls under good light for evenness and missed spots.
O. Supervision & progress
Throughout the works we supervise on site, record with photos and track against the schedule; concealed works like electrical and waterproofing are inspected as soon as they’re done.Owner tip:Concealed works (before they’re sealed up) are the most worth checking, since they can’t be inspected once covered.
P. Final inspection & handover
On completion we inspect item by item — power, plumbing, waterproofing, walls, tiles, doors and windows, custom furniture, AC and kitchen/bathroom fittings — and draw up a touch-up list with deadlines.Owner tip:Pay the final instalment only after touch-ups are done; tick off each item on the list so nothing is missed.
Q. Documents, warranty & move-in
We hand over the electrical/plumbing drawings, materials list, warranty card and receipts, confirm the warranty period and emergency contact, and help you prepare for move-in.Owner tip:The warranty is usually one year; keep all drawings and receipts for easier future maintenance.
FAQ
Does old-flat renovation need approval?Standard interior renovation that doesn’t alter load-bearing walls or structure doesn’t involve complex government approvals — mainly a renovation application to building management and arranging works insurance. These are usually simpler than they sound.
What’s the old-flat renovation process?Seventeen steps, handled end-to-end: understand needs → measure → floor plan → renderings → materials → quote & contract → construction drawings → insurance → demolition → electrical & plumbing → waterproofing → masonry & tiling → carpentry → painting → supervision → inspection → documents, warranty & move-in.
How long does old-flat renovation take?Depending on scope, a full-home renovation generally takes about 45–90 working days; extensive pipe, wiring and waterproofing replacement in older flats adds time.
How much does it cost?Cost depends mainly on size, scope and materials. Because older flats usually need full plumbing and waterproofing renewal, set aside a contingency — the most accurate step is a free consultation and on-site quotation.
Which flats need extra attention?In older units, focus on aged water pipes, wiring and waterproofing — these three are where old-flat renovation budget is best spent.
Ready to renovate your old flat with confidence?
From understanding your needs to design, material selection and construction, NOON Interior Design guides you step by step to turn your old flat into the home you’ve always wanted. 👉Book a free consultation and quotation— call +852 3520 2989 orcontact us online.