Move-in sequence: from defect check to moving day
KeyKaki’s suggested move-in order (not an HDB-authored sequence): collect your keys, report defects inside HDB’s one-month window and before renovation begins, complete permitted renovation with a firm on HDB’s Directory of Renovation Contractors, book post-renovation cleaning, and then book movers.
HDB’s moving-in checklist lists separate items (address update, utilities, season parking, property tax, renovation guidelines, fire insurance, rectification for a new flat) without prescribing this full order.
What is the right order from keys to movers?
KeyKaki suggests ordering the jobs so defect reporting and permitted renovation are not wiped out by early cleaning or moving. Individual HDB rules cited below are from HDB pages checked 4 Nov 2026; the overall sequence is KeyKaki’s.
| Milestone | Dependency | Typical owner |
|---|---|---|
| Collect keys | HDB key appointment | You / HDB |
| Defect walkthrough and report | Within 1 month of key collection and before renovation (HDB) | You / HDB |
| Utilities account (if needed for a permit) | Before renovation permit (HDB) | You / SP Services |
| Permit and Directory of Renovation Contractors renovation | After early defect report (KeyKaki preferred) | You / contractor |
| Progressive payments / CaseTrust rules | If accredited | You / contractor |
| Post-renovation cleaning | After dusty or wet works are substantially done | You / cleaner |
| Movers | After clean (or clearly staged); not before the defect report | You / mover |
| Settle / soft furnishings | After the move | You |
Collect keys
- Dependency
- HDB key appointment
- Typical owner
- You / HDB
Defect walkthrough and report
- Dependency
- Within 1 month of key collection and before renovation (HDB)
- Typical owner
- You / HDB
Utilities account (if needed for a permit)
- Dependency
- Before renovation permit (HDB)
- Typical owner
- You / SP Services
Permit and Directory of Renovation Contractors renovation
- Dependency
- After early defect report (KeyKaki preferred)
- Typical owner
- You / contractor
Progressive payments / CaseTrust rules
- Dependency
- If accredited
- Typical owner
- You / contractor
Post-renovation cleaning
- Dependency
- After dusty or wet works are substantially done
- Typical owner
- You / cleaner
Movers
- Dependency
- After clean (or clearly staged); not before the defect report
- Typical owner
- You / mover
Settle / soft furnishings
- Dependency
- After the move
- Typical owner
- You
Upstream renovation supply (vendor dataset, checked 21 Oct 2026): 190 ACRA-live renovation firms; 186 with an HDB Directory of Renovation Contractors reference; 146 CaseTrust-matched (list valid 21 Oct 2026).
Ordered steps (KeyKaki suggested)
- Collect keys — see 2026–27 key-collection window.
- Report defects within one month of key collection and before renovation — see Defect check after keys (HDB rule).
- Complete permitted renovation with a Directory of Renovation Contractors firm — see HDB renovation permits and rules and CaseTrust and HDB DRC.
- Keep progressive payments per the written contract — see CaseTrust protections explained if accredited.
- Book post-renovation cleaning after dusty or wet works.
- Book movers after cleaning (or clearly staged).
- Final utilities and settle-in checks.
When should I book post-renovation cleaning?
After renovation dust, adhesive, and wet works are substantially complete — treat it as a separate job from regular home cleaning. KeyKaki does not invent post-renovation cleaning prices here.
When should I book movers relative to renovation?
KeyKaki suggests after the defect report is in, and preferably after renovation and post-renovation cleaning, so movers are not packing into a worksite. Whether to live in during renovation is a household choice — HDB’s moving-in checklist does not prescribe “move in during renovation.” Still finish the early defect report first (HDB rule).
National movers facts from KeyKaki’s vendor list
| Metric | Count | Check named |
|---|---|---|
| ACRA-live movers on file | 12 | ACRA live status |
| With verified own-site service areas | 6 | Website verification / service areas field |
| With own-site prices | 3 | Prices (own site) field |
ACRA-live movers on file
- Count
- 12
- Check named
- ACRA live status
With verified own-site service areas
- Count
- 6
- Check named
- Website verification / service areas field
With own-site prices
- Count
- 3
- Check named
- Prices (own site) field
Figures: vendor dataset, checked 21 Oct 2026. No mover ranking.
Questions
Can I move in before renovation finishes?
That is a household choice. HDB’s checklist does not prescribe move-in during renovation. Still finish the early defect report first (within one month of keys and before renovation begins).
Do you rank movers?
No. National registry facts only — 12 ACRA-live movers on file; 6 with verified own-site service areas; 3 with own-site prices (vendor dataset, checked 21 Oct 2026).
Is post-renovation cleaning the same as regular home cleaning?
Treat it as a separate booking; the job scope (dust, adhesive, wet works) is different.
Does KeyKaki book cleaners or movers for me?
No. This page is a sequence guide only. Corrections: hello@keykaki.sg.
Sources
- KeyKaki vendor dataset, checked 21 Oct 2026
- HDB — Rectification of Defects in New Flats, checked 4 Nov 2026
- HDB — Checklist for Moving into Flat, checked 4 Nov 2026
- HDB — Important Information on Renovations, checked 4 Nov 2026
- KeyKaki — About & methodology, checked 4 Nov 2026
Corrections: hello@keykaki.sg