Planning full home interiors, from design to move-in
Design IRL Editorial · Figures checked 7 November 2026 · For owners of a new flat or house planning interiors for the whole home · How we make our guides
Interiors are where most of the daily feel of a home comes from, and where budgets drift fastest. A clear plan, made early, keeps both in check.
Start earlier than you think
If you are building, bring in the interior designer by the plaster stage. That is when switch, light and AC points are fixed. Moving them later means cutting walls.
In a new flat, start with the layout and electrical plan before ordering anything. Put the false ceiling in only after AC and electrical work are done. Re-cutting a finished ceiling can cost roughly ₹50,000–2 lakh.
What a whole home roughly costs
NoBroker reports about ₹1,000–1,500 per sq ft for a budget fit-out, ₹1,500–2,500 for mid-range and ₹2,500–4,500 or more for premium. In lump sums, that looks like this.
| Home | Budget | Mid | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1BHK | ₹5–8 lakh | ₹8.5–13 lakh | ₹13.5–20 lakh |
| 2BHK | ₹8–14 lakh | ₹14.5–23 lakh | ₹24–35 lakh |
| 3BHK | ₹14–22 lakh | ₹23–35 lakh | ₹36–55 lakh |
| 4BHK | ₹22–35 lakh | ₹36–55 lakh | ₹56–85 lakh |
Metros usually cost 20–30% more than tier-2 cities, mostly in labour. Turnkey brands price higher because design and warranty are bundled in. Local carpenters often come in 25–40% lower. Older homes add roughly 15–25%.
How the budget usually splits
| Item | Approx. share |
|---|---|
| Design and drawings | 8% |
| Civil changes | 6% |
| Electrical and plumbing | 9% |
| False ceiling and light fittings | 8% |
| Flooring, if replacing | 6% |
| Modular kitchen | 18% |
| Wardrobes, TV unit, storage | 22% |
| Painting and wall finishes | 7% |
| Loose furniture | 11% |
| Furnishings, decor, appliance fitting | 5% |
Know what's excluded
Many quotes leave out appliances, loose furniture, civil work and decor. Ask for a written list of inclusions before comparing prices, and add GST of 18%.
Do it in this order
- Design, measurements, 3D views and a BOQ.
- Civil changes: walls, bathroom and kitchen civil.
- Electrical and plumbing points, including AC.
- False ceiling and lighting.
- Flooring, if it is changing.
- Kitchen and wardrobes: made in a factory, then installed.
- Painting and wall finishes.
- Loose furniture, furnishings and decor.
Each step depends on the one before. Painting before carpentry means touch-ups after installation. Flooring after the kitchen means cutting around finished units.
Factory-made kitchens usually take 3–5 weeks before installation. Wardrobes are made in parallel. Loose furniture can take 2–6 weeks to arrive, so order it early.
What designers charge
| Fee model | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Percentage of project cost | 8–15% (some cite 5–20%) |
| Design only, per sq ft | ₹50–150 |
| Flat fee | From about ₹50,000 |
| Turnkey brand | Fee bundled into the product price |
Ask what the fee covers: concept, drawings, 3D views, BOQ, vendor management and site visits. A low fee with no site visits can cost more in the end.
Paying in stages
- An advance of 10–20% on signing.
- Further payments when carpentry is installed, when the ceiling is done and when painting is done.
- A retention of 5–10%, held for 30–60 days after handover.
Keep a cushion
Set aside a 10–15% contingency. Get 2–3 quotes against the same scope and materials before you choose.
How long until you move in
For a 3BHK, design usually takes 2–4 weeks. Execution then takes about 8–14 weeks, and premium homes can run to 90–120 days. Rush jobs are reported to cost 20–35% more.
Walk every room with a snag list before the final payment. Check drawers, hinges, lights and taps. These figures are approximate and vary by city, home and spec.
Find the people
Sources
Most published cost figures come from firms that sell the work. We give ranges and you should get 2–3 quotes.
- NoBroker: full home interior design cost
- NoBroker: interior designer costs in India
- NoBroker: 3BHK interior design cost in Pune
- Design Cafe: interior designer cost 2026
- Design Cafe: 3BHK interior cost in Hyderabad
- Simplify Home: 3BHK interior budget split
- Livspace: what an interior designer charges
- Interior Company: interior design cost in Noida
- Disytax: GST for interior designers and contractors