Microcement in Singapore is usually quoted per job rather than at a fixed rate per square foot, because the condition of your existing surface, the size and shape of the area, the layer system and the amount of detailing all change the work involved. Any figure you see online is a rough average of other people’s homes. The only accurate number for yours comes after someone has looked at the surface.
That is why we do not publish prices. Here is what actually moves the cost, so you can read quotes properly and compare them fairly.
What drives the cost
1. The condition of what is there now
Microcement goes over sound, level, well-bonded tiles or screed. If tiles are hollow, cracked or uneven, they need repair or levelling first. Damp or leaking areas need fixing before anything is laid. Two bathrooms of the same size can be quoted very differently for this reason alone.
2. Area and shape
Bigger areas spread the set-up time. Small rooms with lots of corners, niches, kerbs and edges take longer per square foot than one open floor. Walls, floors and steps are each priced on their own detail.
3. The system and finish
Different systems and finishes involve different materials and layers. A heavier-duty floor system or a wet-area specification usually involves more than a feature wall.
4. Detailing
Built-in vanities, niches, integrated basins, shower kerbs, stair nosings and curves all take hand time. So does matching edges neatly to doors, windows and fittings.
5. Access and sequencing
Whether the home is empty or lived in, whether other trades are on site, and how much protection is needed all affect the schedule and therefore the cost.
What a fair quote should list
- Exactly which walls, floors and features are included
- The product name and the layer system, including the total thickness
- Surface preparation, and what happens if hidden problems are found
- The number of top coats, and any anti-slip additive for wet floors
- Expected working days
- Care instructions after handover
If two quotes look far apart, check whether they cover the same scope. One may leave out preparation, top coats or areas the other includes.
Comparing microcement with hacking and re-tiling
Price is only part of the picture. A full re-tile usually means hacking, debris removal and a new screed bed of around 40 to 60mm, plus the noise and days that come with it. A microcement overlay at 1 to 1.5mm keeps the existing tiles in place when they are sound, so there is no hacking or debris. For some homes that changes the total cost and disruption of the renovation, not just the line item. See whether microcement can go over tiles without hacking.
How to get an accurate quote
- List the rooms and surfaces you want done.
- Give a rough area in square feet, even an estimate.
- Send clear photos of what is on the surface now, including close-ups of any cracks or hollow-sounding tiles.
- Mention whether it is HDB, condo or landed, and whether you are living in it.
- Expect a site visit before a firm quote for anything beyond a simple wall.
How Jiu Ding Sheng quotes
We quote after we understand the rooms, the rough area and the current surface, and we survey before confirming. We use the Natural Surface M Series from Australia at 1 to 1.5mm in four layers with no primer. A bathroom usually takes 3 to 4 working days and a whole unit 4 to 6 working days, and we confirm the timing for your space in the quote. See the finished surfaces on our Projects page and read about the system on the Material page. If you are weighing a bathroom specifically, read is microcement worth it for an HDB bathroom.
Quick answers
Why do microcement prices online vary so much?
Because each figure reflects a different home, surface condition, system and scope. Without seeing your surface, any number is a guess.
Is microcement cheaper than re-tiling?
It depends on the job. Microcement avoids hacking, debris removal and a new screed bed when the existing tiles are sound, but the finish itself is hand-applied in several layers. Compare full renovation scopes, not just one line.
Does surface preparation cost extra?
It can. Sound, level tiles need little work. Hollow, cracked or uneven areas need repair before microcement goes on, and a fair quote should say how that is handled.
Can I get a quote from photos?
Photos and a rough area give a useful starting point. For most rooms, a site visit is needed before a firm quote.
Next step
Send us the rooms, the rough area and a photo of the current surface. WhatsApp +65 8049 1188 or fill in the form on our contact page.
