If you’re planning interiors for your 2 BHK or 3 BHK home in Mumbai, chances are you’ve already felt confused… or even frustrated.
· One designer gives a per-sq-ft rate
· Another gives a lump sum package
· A third one sends a BOQ full of technical terms
· And most importantly — almost everyone hides something
Mumbai homeowners commonly complain about:
· Hidden charges
· Unclear scope of work
· Carpentry cost inflations
· Material mismatch between what was promised vs delivered
· No clarity on what is actually included in the interior cost
And because homes in Mumbai are already compact, every inch (and every rupee) matters.
This blog will help you decode exactly what transparent interior design pricing looks like, especially for Mumbai’s 2BHK and 3BHK homes. Before finalizing any designer, ensure these points are clearly mentioned — or you may end up paying 25–40% more during execution.
Why Transparent Pricing Matters More in Mumbai Homes
The Mumbai Context — Small Spaces, High Costs, Higher Risks
Compared to other cities, Mumbai homeowners face unique problems when it comes to interiors:
· Smaller homes → higher dependency on smart storage
· Building restrictions and society rules → unexpected civil/electrical work
· Tight elevator sizes → transport & installation challenges
· Modular vs carpenter-made confusion
· Designers giving vague “packages” with incomplete details
These issues often lead to overspending, mainly because the pricing breakdown is not clear.
A transparent pricing approach helps Mumbai homeowners understand:
· What they’re paying for
· What’s included
· What’s not included
· Which material will be used
· Whether the per-sq-ft cost is actually reasonable
This clarity is what separates a good designer from a risky one.
What a Truly Transparent Interior Design Pricing Should Include (Complete Checklist)
(This is the most important section of the blog.)
Below is a clear, structured checklist showing what MUST be included in transparent interior pricing.
1. Clear Scope of Work (Room-by-Room)
A transparent designer will show a room-wise scope of work, clearly mentioning every element.
Room-by-Room Checklist
Space What Should Be Included
Living Room TV unit, wall paneling, shoe rack, false ceiling (if needed), lighting points
Master Bedroom Wardrobe, bed with storage, side tables, dressing unit
Kids/Guest Bedroom Wardrobe, study table, bed (optional), loft storage
Kitchen Base units, wall units, tall unit, hardware, sink area, accessories
Bathrooms Vanity, wall cabinets, partition/glass, mirror
Balcony/Utility Storage units, washing machine area setup, drying solutions
If your BOQ doesn’t clearly show room-by-room items, pricing will always be unclear.
2. Material Specifications (With Brand Options)
Transparent pricing always mentions the quality and brand of each material.
It should include:
· Ply type (Green, Century, Austin etc.)
· Laminate grade & finish
· Hardware brand (Hettich, Blum, Hafele)
· Paint brand & finish (Asian Paints, Royale, Tractor Emulsion)
· Electrical brand (Anchor, Havells, Schneider)
· Internal carcass material specs (Boiling Waterproof/BWR etc.)
Transparent Designer vs Non-Transparent Designer
Transparent Designer Non-Transparent Designer
Mentions brand, grade & thickness Says “premium material” without details
Shows options based on budget One generic list for all clients
Explains pros & cons Avoids comparison
Gives material sheet Only verbal promises
3. Detailed Furniture/Carpentry BOQ (NOT Per Sq. Ft.)
Many Mumbai designers use per-sq-ft pricing, which sounds simple but hides a LOT.
A transparent designer gives per-unit costing, such as:
· Wardrobe (height, width, internal sections)
· Bed with storage
· TV unit
· Kitchen (base units, wall units, accessories)
Per Sq Ft vs Per Unit — Why It Matters
Per Sq Ft Pricing (Misleading) Per Unit BOQ (Transparent)
Doesn’t show internal layout Shows exact shelves, drawers, partitions
Easy to increase later Fixed once approved
No material clarity Material + hardware clearly listed
Mostly rounded numbers Accurate calculation
4. Modular Kitchen Pricing Breakdown (Most Confusing for Mumbai Buyers)
A kitchen forms 25–35% of the entire interior cost.
What should be clearly mentioned:
· Base units
· Wall units
· Shutter cost
· Hardware brand (hinges, channels, tandem boxes)
· Countertop & backsplash
· SS baskets, organizers, corner units
· Optional: Chimney, hob, built-in appliances
Safe Way to Understand Kitchen Cost
A transparent quote breaks the kitchen into individual units, not just one lump sum.
5. Electrical, Plumbing & Civil Work (Often Hidden)
Most homeowners assume these are included — they’re not.
Transparent pricing must include:
· Electrical rewiring
· Switchboard shifting
· New points for appliances
· POP/false ceiling
· Carpentry demolition
· Masonry/tiling changes
· Bathroom plumbing changes
Many designers reveal these costs only at the execution stage — leading to surprise increases.
6. Finishing Items (Brands Matter!)
Finishing items decide the final look and feel.
Must be mentioned:
· Lights & fixtures
· Curtains/blinds
· Wallpaper, texture, wall treatments
· Handles & knobs
· Soft furnishings (optional)
Basic vs Premium — Quick View
7. Labour Charges (Must Be Clearly Written)
Transparent pricing includes:
· Installation
· Loading & unloading
· Transport
· Site cleaning
· Demolition (if required)
Hidden labour charges are one of the biggest pain points for Mumbai clients.
8. Warranty & Service Inclusions (Critical)
A transparent designer clearly states:
· Modular warranty
· Hardware warranty
· Service validity
· Post-installation support timeline
· AMC (if available)
This shows long-term commitment.
9. Timeline Commitment (With Penalties If Delayed)
For Mumbai homeowners, speed matters.
Transparent pricing always comes with:
· Start-to-end timeline
· Milestones
· Work sequence plan
· Optional penalty clause
This builds trust.
Example: Transparent Pricing Breakdown for a Typical Mumbai 2BHK
Living Room
- TV unit
- Wall paneling
- Shoe rack
- False ceiling
- Lighting
Master Bedroom
- Wardrobe
- Bed with storage
- Side tables
- Dressing unit
Kids/Guest Bedroom
- Wardrobe
- Study table
- Loft storage
Kitchen
- Base units
- Wall units
- Tall unit
- Hardware
- Accessories
Bathrooms
- Vanity
- Mirror cabinets
Kids/Guest Bedroom
- Full house painting
- False ceiling
- Electrical work
- Soft furnishings (optional)
Signs a Designer Is NOT Transparent (Red Flags for Mumbai Homeowners)
❌ Per-sq-ft rate card with no unit details
❌ No brand names for materials
❌ No itemized BOQ
❌ Vague “package” rates
❌ Additional charges during execution
❌ No drawings before final quote
❌ One-line estimates
❌ No timeline commitment
If you notice even two of these signs — be careful.
How Transparent Pricing Helps You Save 20–30% in Mumbai Interiors
Practical Mumbai Examples
Example 1:
A client unknowingly selected lower-quality ply because brand wasn’t mentioned. Transparent pricing prevents this mistake.
Example 2:
Labour charges doubled mid-project because they weren’t defined. Clear BOQ avoids this.
Example 3:
Extra electrical work (shifting points) added ₹30–40k unexpectedly. Transparent pricing specifies this in advance.
Example 4:
Kitchen accessories were not included initially — added later as “upgrades.” Transparent pricing lists everything upfront.
How to Compare Quotes from Different Designers (Mumbai-Specific Formula)
Here’s a simple method to compare quotes fairly:
1. Check brand names of ply, laminate, hardware
2. Check unit-wise details, not just sq-ft
3. Check what’s included vs excluded
4. Check electrical, plumbing, civil scope
5. Confirm warranty
6. Ask for timeline commitment
7. Check drawing + BOQ sync (prices should match design)
This checklist alone can save you lakhs.
Checklist Download (Optional Lead Magnet)
Get your free “38-Point Mumbai Home Interior Pricing Transparency Checklist” (Perfect for comparing quotes across designers.)
Why We Follow 100% Transparent Pricing for Mumbai Homeowners
· Clear BOQ with line-by-line details
· Material transparency (ply, laminate, hardware)
· No hidden charges
· Fair milestone payments
· Realistic timelines
· Dedicated project manager
· Post-installation support
Final CTA — Simple & Value-Focused
Planning interiors for your Mumbai home?
Share your floor plan, and we’ll send you a 100% transparent, no-surprise quote — with room-wise BOQ and material details — within 24 hours.