Neighbour's renovation and noise driving us mad, what are our actual options?

Been there with a noisy neighbour. My practical experience: written communication beats verbal because it creates a record, so after your polite chat fails, drop a calm written note or message reiterating the issue. Keep a noise log with timestamps, even short recordings, because you'll need evidence if it escalates. For renovation specifically, the contractor and HDB reno guidelines have clear rules, report breaches. For lifestyle noise, the Community Mediation Centre route is genuinely useful and free, I've seen it work when both parties show up. The tribunal exists but honestly it's a long, draining process that should be the last resort. Try to preserve some goodwill because you'll live next to these people for years. This is my experience only, please verify current procedures with the official agencies.

Went through this with an inconsiderate upstairs unit. First, for renovation noise, HDB has permitted renovation hours and noisy work is restricted to certain times on weekdays, so if they're drilling outside allowed hours you can report to HDB. For general ongoing noise disputes, the practical ladder is: keep talking politely and document everything with dates and times, then approach your grassroots or the Community Mediation Centre, mediation is free and often resolves things without ruining the relationship. As a last resort there's the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal, but that's a serious step and slow, so most people try mediation first. My honest advice: document, document, document, and try mediation before anything drastic. Do check the official HDB and CMC info for the current process and hours.