When HDB launches a new Build-To-Order (BTO) sales exercise, each project gets its own brochure on the HDB Flat Portal. The HDB BTO brochure is the most detailed public picture you will get of a flat that does not yet exist, so learning to read it properly helps you choose a project with fewer regrets. Many first-time buyers skim the indicative prices and the pretty artist’s impressions, then miss the details that affect daily life for decades.
This guide walks through the main sections of a typical brochure and what to look for in each. Layouts and section names can change between launches, so always read the actual brochure for your project and check anything unclear with HDB directly.
Where to Find the Brochure and What It Contains
Brochures are published on the HDB Flat Portal when the sales launch opens. Download the PDF for each project you are considering and keep a copy, as it becomes a useful reference later.
A typical brochure includes:
- A project overview and location map
- A site plan showing all blocks, roads and facilities within the development
- Block plans or unit distribution charts showing which flat types sit on which floors and stacks
- Floor plans for each flat type, with approximate floor areas
- Indicative price ranges and the estimated completion period
- Notes on nearby existing and planned amenities
- General notes and disclaimers about specifications and finishes
Before you even look at prices, spend time with the location map. Check the actual walking route to MRT stations, bus stops and schools rather than the straight-line distance.
Reading the Site Plan
The site plan is a bird’s-eye drawing of the whole development. It shows where each block sits relative to roads, the multi-storey car park, precinct pavilions, playgrounds and any commercial spaces.
Things to check:
- North arrow. Find it first. Every other judgement about sun and wind depends on it.
- Distance to roads and expressways. Blocks fronting a major road or expressway may face more traffic noise.
- Car park and drop-off points. Units facing the car park roof or the refuse collection area may see more activity and light.
- Neighbouring land. The brochure may label nearby land uses, including future developments, schools, utilities, places of worship or columbaria. Note anything that matters to you, and remember that planned uses can change. The URA Master Plan is the place to check zoning for surrounding plots.
- Linkways and sheltered paths. See whether covered walkways connect your block to the bus stop or MRT.
If you have looked at private property before, the approach is similar to reading condo site plans and stack numbers.
Understanding Unit Distribution and Orientation
The block plan or unit distribution chart shows each storey and stack, and which flat type sits where. This is where you start shortlisting specific units.
- Stacks. Units on the same position across floors share a stack number. Units in a stack usually share the same layout and facing.
- Facing. Using the north arrow, work out which direction the main windows and living room face. Many buyers prefer north or south facing to reduce direct afternoon sun from the west, though preferences vary.
- Corner units. These may have extra windows and more privacy, but sometimes more exposure to sun and rain.
- Lift lobby and corridor position. Units next to the lift or rubbish chute may have more foot traffic. Units at the end of a corridor are often quieter.
- Floor level. Higher floors may offer views and breeze, while lower floors are easier during lift maintenance.
Decoding the Unit Floor Plan
Each flat type has one or more floor plans. They look simple, but small details matter.
- Approximate floor area. Stated in square metres and usually includes internal floor area. Compare flat types and projects using the same measure.
- Room dimensions. Some plans show indicative sizes. Imagine your bed, wardrobe and sofa in the space.
- Household shelter. Shown as a small room, often marked with an “HS” label. Its walls cannot be hacked, which affects renovation plans.
- Kitchen and service yard. Note whether the kitchen is enclosed or open, and where the washing machine point and laundry rack are.
- Bathroom positions. Check whether the common bathroom is near the bedrooms and whether the main bedroom has an attached bathroom.
- Windows and bay areas. Note which walls have windows for ventilation.
- Structural walls. Plans may indicate which walls are structural. These cannot be removed during renovation.
For more on decoding symbols and thinking ahead to renovation, see our guide on how to read an HDB floor plan before renovating.
Brochure Section vs What to Check
Here is a quick summary to keep beside you as you go through the PDF.
| Brochure section | What it tells you | What to check yourself |
|---|---|---|
| Location map | Nearby MRT, bus stops, schools, malls | Real walking time, sheltered routes, school catchment details on MOE’s site |
| Site plan | Block layout, facilities, roads | North arrow, noise sources, neighbouring land uses |
| Unit distribution | Flat types by stack and floor | Facing, corridor position, distance from lift and chute |
| Floor plans | Layout and approximate area | Furniture fit, household shelter, structural walls |
| Indicative prices | Price range per flat type | Grants you may get, total budget, loan eligibility |
| General notes | Finishes, optional components, disclaimers | What is included, what changes are allowed, completion estimate |
Making Sense of Indicative Prices
The brochure lists a price range for each flat type. A few points to understand:
- Prices vary within a project depending on floor level, facing, view and stack. The lowest number usually applies to a small number of units.
- Indicative prices are before grants. Any CPF Housing Grants you qualify for are deducted separately. Check your eligibility on the HDB website.
- Final prices are confirmed at booking. When your queue number comes up, you see the actual price of each available unit.
- Flat classification. Some launches label projects under HDB’s classification framework, which can affect resale conditions, subsidy recovery and the minimum occupation period. Read what applies to your project on HDB’s site.
Before falling in love with a project, get an HDB Flat Eligibility (HFE) letter so you know your loan and grant position. Our HDB BTO application guide explains the full process.
The Fine Print Worth Reading
The general notes are easy to skip, but they cover:
- Estimated completion. Given as a period, not a fixed date. Plan your current housing and finances with buffers.
- Optional Component Scheme. Some launches let buyers opt in to items such as flooring, internal doors or sanitary fittings for an added cost. Check what is offered and what is standard.
- Artist’s impressions. Images are indicative and final finishes may differ.
- Amenities “planned” or “proposed”. Future amenities may be built by other agencies on their own timelines, and some may change.
A Practical Way to Compare Projects
Print or annotate the brochure for each shortlisted project. For each, note:
- Your top three stacks and why.
- Facing and noise concerns.
- Total estimated cost after likely grants.
- Distance to work, parents and schools.
- Completion estimate.
Visit the site area in person, at different times of day if possible. Walk to the nearest MRT station and stand where your block will be. A brochure is a starting point, and seeing the neighbourhood fills in what the drawings cannot.
Explore more: How HDB BTO Balloting and Queue Numbers Work
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Standard, Plus and Prime mean for a BTO project? These are HDB’s flat classifications for new projects, and they can affect resale conditions, subsidy recovery and the minimum occupation period. The brochure or the HDB website states which applies to your project, so read it before applying, since the rules differ between the three.
Is the Optional Component Scheme worth taking? It depends on your budget and renovation plans. Opting in adds cost but may save you from replacing items such as flooring or internal doors yourself. Compare what the scheme includes with the standard fittings, and price what you would otherwise buy before deciding.
Can I apply for more than one BTO project in the same exercise? HDB’s usual rule is one application per sales exercise, so you need to choose a single project and flat type. Rules can change between launches, so check the current terms on the HDB Flat Portal. Compare shortlisted brochures first to pick the right one.
How can I tell if a nearby planned amenity will really be built? Brochure notes on planned or proposed amenities are not guarantees, because other agencies build them on their own timelines. Check the URA Master Plan for zoning and look for announcements from the agency responsible. Where an amenity decides your choice, ask HDB directly.
Official sources: HDB
Further reading: Can PRs Buy a BTO Flat in Singapore? · How to Use the HDB Flat Portal Before Applying for a BTO