Water heater installation in Singapore
Instant or storage, supplied and fitted, with the wiring done by a Licensed Electrical Worker and the old unit taken away. Most replacements are a single short visit, and a tired bidet is cheaper changed at the same time.
Instant or storage
The choice sets the price more than anything else, so it is worth getting right before you shop.
- Instant, or tankless. Heats water as it passes through, so there is no tank and no waiting. Cheaper to buy, smaller on the wall, and the usual choice for a single bathroom.
- Storage, or tank. Holds a volume of hot water ready. Better for a long shower or two bathrooms used back to back, but heavier, larger and dearer.
Full detail on the trade-off, including sizing, is in the water heater installation guide.
What it costs
These are the prices published in our own guide, quoted as supply and install rather than labour alone.
| Job | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Instant heater, supply & install | $250 to $600 |
| Storage tank heater, supply & install | $350 to $800+ |
| Bidet or handspray replacement | $60 to $150 |
| Wiring or isolator upgrade, if needed | Quoted on site |
A recent RK E&C job replacing a water heater and a bidet in the same visit came to about $650 for both units and the labour. Doing them together is what kept it there.
When to replace rather than repair
- Water that runs lukewarm, or swings hot and cold mid-shower.
- Rusty or discoloured water on the hot tap only.
- Drips, damp patches or visible corrosion at the tank or its fittings.
- The breaker trips when the heater runs.
- The unit is past roughly ten years old. At that point a repair usually buys months, not years.
The wiring has to be done properly
A water heater sits in a wet room on a high-current circuit, which is why the wiring must be done by a Licensed Electrical Worker. The isolator switch, the earthing and the circuit rating all have to match the unit. This is the part of the job that is not worth saving money on, and it is the reason a heater bought online and fitted by a general handyman is a poor idea.
If the circuit needs work, that is quoted separately after we look at it. See the HDB electrical works guide for what that involves.
Do the bidet at the same time
The water is already off and the crew is already in the bathroom, so a tired bidet or handspray costs less to change now than on its own visit later. The same logic applies to a leaking tap or a loose mixer. Bundle the bathroom, pay one call-out.
How it works
- Send a photo of the existing unit and its isolator. Most replacements can be quoted from that alone.
- Free site visit if the circuit or the mounting looks like it needs changing.
- Fixed-price quote in writing, unit and labour together, before anything starts.
- Install and test, with the old unit removed and taken away.
Common questions
How much does water heater installation cost in Singapore?
About $250 to $600 for an instant heater supplied and installed, and $350 to $800 or more for a storage tank. Brand and model drive most of the difference.
Do I need a licensed electrician?
Yes. Water heater wiring in Singapore must be done by a Licensed Electrical Worker.
How long does it take?
A straight swap is one short visit. Longer only if the circuit or isolator needs upgrading, or the new unit is a different size.
Can you supply the heater, or should I buy it?
Either. We can supply the unit as part of the quoted price, or fit one you have already bought.
Tell us what you need.
Send a photo and a sentence. You will get a fixed price back, usually the same day.