Blog · 3 Nov 2026

What decides the cost of a home interior

"How much for a 3 BHK?" is the first question almost everyone asks. The honest answer is that two 3 BHK flats in the same building can cost very different amounts. These are the six things that make the difference.

The short answer

The cost of a home interior depends mostly on how much carpentry you build, the grade of board it is made from, the finish on top, and the hardware inside. False ceilings, electrical changes and loose furniture add to that. A per-square-foot rate means little until you know what it includes.

1. Scope: what you build

A kitchen and wardrobes only is a very different job from a full interior with TV units, beds, panelling, a pooja unit and storage in every room. Carpentry is usually the biggest part of the bill, so the number of running feet of cabinets matters more than the size of the flat.

2. The board inside the carpentry

Most cabinets are built from plywood, MDF or particle board. Plywood comes in grades: commercial or MR grade for dry areas, and BWR or BWP grades that handle moisture better, which matters for kitchens and bathroom vanities. Two quotes that both say "plywood" can be using very different boards.

Ask: which grade, which brand, and which thickness for carcass and shutters.

3. The finish on top

Laminate is the most common and the most practical finish. Acrylic and PU paint give a glossy, seamless look at a higher cost. Veneer is real wood and needs polishing. The finish changes both the price and how the surface ages.

4. Hardware

Hinges, drawer channels, handles, lift-up fittings and kitchen baskets. Soft-close hardware from established brands costs more than basic fittings, and it is the part you notice every single day. It is also the easiest thing to downgrade quietly in a quote.

5. False ceiling, electrical and civil work

The area of false ceiling, the number of new electrical points, any wall changes and any plumbing shifts. A bare-shell flat with few points needs more electrical work than a flat where the builder has already done most of it.

6. Loose furniture, lights and soft furnishings

Sofas, dining sets, curtains, light fixtures and appliances. Some quotes include them; many don't. Check before comparing totals.

How to compare two quotes fairly

• Ask for an itemised quote with sizes, board grade, finish and hardware brand for every item.
• Line up the same items side by side. A cheaper total often means a smaller scope or a lower grade.
• Check what is excluded: civil work, electrical, paint, lights, loose furniture, GST and design fees.
• Ask how payments are linked to stages of work, and what the warranty covers.

Getting a number for your home

The only accurate figure comes from measuring your flat and agreeing on what goes in it. That's why we start with a free site visit and give you an itemised quote, so there are no surprises later. If you want to see where the cost goes stage by stage, read the stages of a full home interior.