Direct answer: An interior design quotation in Bengaluru should list every item with its size, board material, shutter finish, hardware brand and rate. For a 2BHK, joinery (kitchen, wardrobes, TV unit, storage) makes up most of a Rs 4 lakh to Rs 18 lakh total before 18 percent GST, with painting, electrical, civil work and logistics as separate lines.
Most families compare two or three interior quotes by the final figure. That is the one number that tells you the least. Two quotes can show the same total and describe very different homes, or show different totals for the same home because one quietly leaves out GST, painting or electrical work. This guide walks through a typical Bengaluru interior quotation line by line, shows what each item should cost against current market bands, and lists the questions to ask before you sign.
All figures below are planning ranges before 18 percent GST, taken from our interior design cost guide for Bangalore. Your own number depends on carpet area, material tier and locality.
What should an interior quotation include?
A proper quotation, often called a BOQ (bill of quantities), has five parts. If any of these is missing, ask for it in writing before comparing prices.
- Scope by room: kitchen, each bedroom, living, dining, foyer, utility and any study or pooja unit, listed separately.
- Specification per line: size (running feet or square feet), carcass board grade, shutter finish and hardware brand.
- Rate and amount per line: so you can see where the money goes, not just the total.
- Exclusions list: what is not in the price, such as appliances, loose furniture, curtains, civil work or painting.
- Tax, payment schedule and timeline: whether 18 percent GST is included, what is due at each stage, and the handover date.
Line by line: what each item should cost
This table follows the order most Bengaluru quotes use. The ranges are the bands published in our cost guide; anything far outside them deserves a clear explanation.
| Quote line | What it should specify | Typical range (before GST) | What pushes it up or down |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modular kitchen | Layout, running feet, carcass board, shutter finish, hardware brand, countertop (often separate) | Basic L shape Rs 1.2 lakh to Rs 1.8 lakh; standard Rs 1.8 lakh to Rs 3.5 lakh; premium Rs 3.5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh and above | Board grade, imported hardware, tall units, corner fittings |
| Kitchen cabinetry rate | Per sq ft rate by board | MDF or particle board Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,800; HDHMR Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,500; BWP plywood Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500; marine plywood Rs 3,500 to Rs 5,000 and above | Moisture resistance needed near the sink and hob |
| Wardrobes | Size per bedroom, hinged or sliding, internal layout, loft | Usually 12 to 18 percent of the total budget | Sliding shutters, full height, internal organisers, soft close fittings |
| TV unit, shoe rack, crockery and utility units | Size, open versus closed storage, finish | In our Comfort tier 2BHK reference example: TV unit about Rs 70,000; shoe rack plus utility about Rs 60,000 | Wall panelling, back lighting, stone or veneer |
| False ceiling | Area, material, profile, cove details | Gypsum or POP Rs 75 to Rs 105 per sq ft; PVC Rs 160 to Rs 185 per sq ft; Rs 50,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh if quoted as an extra | Number of rooms, cove and layered profiles |
| Lighting and electrical changes | Number of new points, switch moves, light fittings | Electrical changes Rs 15,000 to Rs 40,000 | Rewiring, smart switches, many new points |
| Plumbing work | Point shifts in kitchen or utility | Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000 | Moving the sink, new water purifier or dishwasher points |
| Painting | Area, paint brand and system, putty coats | Rs 15 to Rs 35 per sq ft | Texture or premium emulsions, wall repair |
| Civil work | Wall changes, platform or loft work | Rs 20,000 to Rs 60,000 | Breaking or building walls, granite platform removal |
| Transport, installation, cleaning | Stated as separate lines | Transport Rs 8,000 to Rs 20,000; installation Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000; deep cleaning Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000 | Lift access, distance from the factory, society rules |
| Miscellaneous | Should be small and explained | Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000 | A large unexplained "misc" line is a red flag |
| GST | Stated clearly as included or extra | 18 percent on the works contract value | A Rs 7 lakh quote becomes about Rs 8.26 lakh with GST |
How to read the material and hardware lines
The same wardrobe can be quoted at two or three times the price depending on what sits behind the shutter. So the specification column matters more than the rate column.
- Carcass board: BWP or BWR plywood is the dependable choice for kitchens and wet areas in Bengaluru, where monsoon humidity swells cheaper boards. MDF or particle board belongs only in dry, low stress spots, if at all.
- Shutter finish: laminate is the value option, acrylic or membrane gives a smooth modern face at mid cost, and veneer or stone sits at the premium end.
- Hardware: the quote should name the brand of hinges, channels and lift-up fittings. "Branded hardware" without a name is not a specification.
- Edge banding and back panels: ask what thickness and material is used. These small lines decide how a kitchen ages.
If two quotes differ by 15 percent, the difference is often in these four lines rather than in labour or margin.
What is usually excluded
Exclusions are not a trick; they are how the trade structures quotes in Bengaluru. They only hurt when nobody writes them down. Expect these to be outside the headline figure unless stated otherwise:
- Loose furniture: sofa, dining table, beds and mattresses
- Curtains, blinds and rugs
- Kitchen appliances: chimney, hob, oven, dishwasher
- Kitchen countertop, sink and tap (sometimes a separate line). Our post on what a modular kitchen quote excludes covers these in detail.
- Painting of the whole flat and civil changes
- Apartment association deposits and debris disposal charges
Red flags in an interior quotation
- A single per sq ft rate for the whole home with no room-wise breakup.
- No board grade or hardware brand named against joinery lines.
- GST not mentioned at all.
- A large "miscellaneous" or "site expenses" line with no explanation.
- Most of the money due before any material reaches the factory. See our guide on how to pay an interior contractor in stages.
- No timeline or no mention of who handles association permissions.
Bengaluru specifics that change a quote
- Apartment association rules: most societies fix work hours, lift use and debris disposal. Restricted hours stretch labour days, which shows up in installation and logistics lines. Some ask for a refundable interior work deposit.
- Locality: South Bengaluru areas such as Koramangala and Indiranagar typically quote 20 to 35 percent higher per sq ft than East Bengaluru areas such as Whitefield for the same scope.
- Season: October and November bookings stretch factory lead times. April to July is the quieter season, when rates can soften by 10 to 15 percent.
- Hard borewell water: many apartments run on borewell or mixed supply, so the sink cabinet and the base of tall units need a moisture resistant board and proper edge sealing.
Checklist before you sign
- Carpet area confirmed room by room (not super built-up area).
- Every joinery line shows size, board, finish and hardware brand.
- Exclusions list in writing.
- GST shown as a separate line or clearly included.
- A 10 percent contingency added to your own budget for site changes.
- Payment stages tied to design sign-off, factory production, installation and handover.
- Written timeline and the name of the person responsible on site.
- Design drawings and 3D views listed as deliverables, with the number of revisions allowed.
Frequently asked questions
Why do two interior quotes for the same flat differ so much?
Usually because they do not describe the same product. Board grade, shutter finish, hardware brand and what is excluded can move a quote by a large margin. Compare like with like on an itemised basis, with GST treated the same way in both.
Is GST included in interior design quotations?
Often not. Interior work is treated as a works contract and attracts 18 percent GST. Ask whether each quote is inclusive or exclusive before you compare totals.
Should I accept a per sq ft rate for the whole home?
Use it only as a starting estimate. A per sq ft figure cannot tell you what each room gets. Ask for a room-wise BOQ before you pay any booking amount beyond the design stage.
What share of the quotation should the kitchen and wardrobes take?
The modular kitchen typically takes 15 to 25 percent of the total and wardrobes 12 to 18 percent. If these lines look very low, check the board grade and hardware.
Can I remove items from a quotation to fit my budget?
Yes. Decor, wall panelling, some false ceiling and loose furniture can move to a later phase. Keep the kitchen, wardrobes and electrical points in the first phase, because they are hard to change later.
How myNivasa can help
myNivasa has delivered 100+ projects in Bengaluru since 2018, and every estimate we give is itemised, with exclusions and GST stated. If you already have a quote from someone else, we are happy to walk through it with you line by line. Learn more about our interior design services in Bangalore, or book a free site visit: call +91 94499 00222 or email [email protected].
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