After getting the keys to his three-room Build-to-Order (BTO) Housing Development Board (HDB) flat, a man decided to renovate the new house himself instead of turning to designers and contractors.

I used to think that life could be neatly mapped out on a spreadsheet, with things unfolding in a clear sequence: We would get our BTO (Build-to-order) flat, move in and live there for at least a year ...