It is normal for three interior firms to quote very different totals for the same Bengaluru apartment. Usually the gap is not about price at all: each quote covers a different scope, uses different materials or leaves different things out. Before you compare totals, put the quotes on the same footing.
1. Ask for the same scope from everyone
Send every firm the same list: which rooms, which units (kitchen, wardrobes, TV unit, study, pooja unit), ceiling areas and whether painting and electrical work are included. Without a common brief, the cheapest quote is often just the smallest one.
2. Compare line by line, not the total
Put the quotes side by side in a simple table:
| Item | Firm A | Firm B | Firm C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen (running ft, finish, countertop) | |||
| Wardrobes (sizes, finish, loft) | |||
| False ceiling (sq ft, material) | |||
| Painting (area, paint grade) | |||
| Hardware brand | |||
| Plywood grade | |||
| GST |
Gaps in the table are the first thing to ask about.
3. Check the materials in writing
The same word can mean very different things. Ask each firm to write down:
- Plywood grade: MR, BWR or BWP, and the brand. BWP should be used under sinks and on bathroom walls.
- Shutter finish: laminate thickness, acrylic or PU, and the brand.
- Hardware: hinge and channel brand, and whether they are soft-close.
- Countertop: granite or quartz, and its thickness.
4. Look for what is left out
Common exclusions that change the total later: appliances, sinks and taps, electrical rewiring, civil changes, deep cleaning, transport and loading, society deposits, and design fees. Ask each firm to list exclusions explicitly.
5. Understand the payment schedule
A fair schedule ties payments to work stages, such as design sign-off, material delivery, installation and handover, with a final instalment after snag fixing. Be cautious about very large advances before any work starts.
6. Check against an independent estimate
Run your home through the DecorYaar estimator for your size and finish level. If a quote is far above the range, ask what is driving it. If it is far below, check what has been left out or downgraded.
7. Ask about warranty and timelines
Get the warranty on carcass and hardware in writing, the promised handover date, and what happens if it slips.
When you are ready, you can request quotes from up to 3 verified pros through DecorYaar and compare them using this checklist.