Tan Kin Lian - Perspectives HDB flat size to start a family
The average size of a 3 room HDB flat is 60 to 65 sq meters. It has 2 bedrooms. 

The average size of a 4 room HDB flat is 92 sq meters. It has 3 bedrooms. 

What is the proper size of a HDB flat for a young couple that is starting a family. Should it be a 3 room or 4 room HDB flat?

The current thinking of the government is that the young couple should start with a 3 room HDB flat and upgrade to a larger 4 room or 5 room flat after five years or so, when the children grown bigger. 

Is this a good approach? Should the family start with a 4 room HDB flat, so that they do not need to move after 5 to 10 years? 

At present, an affordable HDB flat is a 3 room flat in a new town. This flat would cost about $250,000 after subsidy and grant. Should this price pay for a 4 room flat instead?

A bigger flat will cost more to build. The construction cost for a HDB flat is about $190 psf. The construction cost for a 4 room HDB flat would be $190,000. 

Perhaps this should be sold at $300,000 psf, which would include $100,000 for the land cost. 

By way of comparison, my friend bought a new 1,000 sf flat in Johor for RM 150,000 (S$45,000). It is low cost housing for Johor residents and is freehold in tenure). 

Tan Kin Lian 



 

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