Renovation Cost
Per Square Foot (2026)

Indicative Klang Valley ranges — Get Your Free Quote.

“Cost per square foot” (RM/sq ft) is the quickest way to turn a floor area into a ballpark budget — and to spot a quote that is suspiciously high or low. It is a starting point, not a final figure: the rate depends entirely on scope and finish. This guide breaks down the numbers room by room and scope by scope so you can build a realistic estimate before you contact a single contractor.

Renovation cost per sq ft by scope

Cost per sq ft by type of work

See the related room guides: painting cost → · carpentry cost →

Cost per sq ft by property type

The type of property affects the blended rate: condos have management and working-hour constraints; landed homes may have structural work; older properties need more prep work. Here is a practical guide:

How to use the rate to budget

The formula is simple:

Built-up area (sq ft) × RM/sq ft rate = ballpark budget

For example, a 1,000 sq ft condo at a mid-range RM120/sq ft ≈ RM120,000. Use the lower end of the band if you are keeping the existing layout and standard finishes, and the upper end for designer materials or structural changes.

For a condo, multiply only the internal built-up area (the area inside your unit walls), not the strata area. For a terrace house, multiply the built-up floor area of all levels you are renovating.

What the per-sq-ft rate usually includes

A whole-home RM/sq ft rate normally bundles hacking, flooring, ceiling, painting, basic electrical and labour. It usually excludes: loose furniture, appliances, curtains, air-conditioning units, and high-end feature items. Always confirm the inclusion list in writing. The biggest source of budget surprises is assuming a rate includes items that the contractor treats as optional or separately quoted.

Worked example: 1,400 sq ft terrace house

Compare with our full house renovation cost guide →

What moves the rate up or down

• Material grade — quartz vs laminate tops, imported porcelain vs local ceramic tiles, solid-surface vs melamine carpentry.
• Layout changes — moving kitchens/bathrooms adds new plumbing risers and waterproofing, pushing the rate up significantly.
• Carpentry volume — built-ins are priced per linear foot, so a full set of wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, TV console and study desk pushes the blended rate up fast.
• Property type and age — an older home may need full rewiring or pipe replacement after hacking; a landed home may have structural work that a condo cosmetic refresh does not.
• Number of wet areas — bathrooms and kitchens cost far more per sq ft than bedrooms or living rooms. More wet areas = higher blended rate.

Condo vs landed: rate comparison

When per-sq-ft pricing breaks down

Kitchens and bathrooms cost far more per sq ft than bedrooms, so a small unit with two bathrooms will have a higher blended rate than its size suggests. Similarly, a large open-plan home with minimal wet areas will have a lower rate than a compact unit with two bathrooms. The RM/sq ft rule works best as a sanity check, not a final number. Any quote that comes in dramatically below the expected range warrants scrutiny — it probably excludes things you expect to be included.

Getting an accurate itemised quote

Once you have a ballpark from the RM/sq ft calculation, the next step is an itemised quote broken down by room and trade. This is the only reliable way to compare two contractors or lock a budget before signing a contract. For an accurate figure, get an itemised quote — WhatsApp us your floor plan and we will break it down room by room. See also the pre-renovation checklist → and how to compare quotes →.

Sources & methodology

How we estimated prices: where this guide gives renovation or service price ranges, those RM figures are typical Klang Valley market ranges for 2026, compiled from contractor quotations and supplier price lists. They are not official or fixed rates — the final price depends on your site, so confirm it on site before you commit. Statutory fees, fines, tax rates and tribunal limits come from the law or official body concerned, not from market quotes.