12 practical questions to ask an interior designer in Mumbai before you sign: work, BOQ, payments, timelines, changes and after-handover support.
Short answer: Before hiring an interior designer, ask about their completed work, who will handle your project, what you will receive before work starts (measured drawings, 3D views, itemised BOQ), how payments and changes work, and how timelines are recorded. Good designers answer these clearly and in writing. Vague or rushed answers are your signal to slow down.
Choosing an interior designer is a big decision. You are trusting someone with your home, your money and several months of your life. Most problems in interior projects do not come from bad intentions. They come from questions that were never asked at the start. Use the twelve questions below at any designer's office, including ours, and compare the answers side by side.
Quick checklist: the 12 questions
- 1: Can I see your completed work?; What a good answer sounds like: Real photos or a visit, with an honest account of the scope
- 2: Who will manage my project?; What a good answer sounds like: A named person and a clear contact route
- 3: What will I get before work starts?; What a good answer sounds like: Measured drawings, 3D views, BOQ
- 4: Do you charge for the site visit and estimate?; What a good answer sounds like: A clear yes or no, upfront
- 5: Is the quote itemised?; What a good answer sounds like: Line-by-line BOQ with materials and quantities
- 6: What materials and hardware will you use?; What a good answer sounds like: Named grades, thickness and fittings in writing
- 7: What is the payment schedule?; What a good answer sounds like: Milestones linked to progress
- 8: What is the timeline and how is it recorded?; What a good answer sounds like: A written schedule with dependencies explained
- 9: How are changes handled?; What a good answer sounds like: Written change note with cost and time impact
- 10: What is excluded from the quote?; What a good answer sounds like: A clear exclusions list
- 11: How do you handle society rules and permissions?; What a good answer sounds like: A checklist and guidance, with confirmation from your society
- 12: What support do I get after handover?; What a good answer sounds like: A clear written answer on what is covered and for how long
Experience and past work
1. Can I see your completed work?
Ask to see real photos of finished projects, and if possible visit one. Ask what the designer's role was: full design and execution, or only design. Be careful with polished renders presented as finished homes. A 3D concept image and a completed project are different things, and an honest studio labels them clearly.
2. Who will actually manage my project?
The person who presents the proposal is not always the person who supervises the site. Ask who your point of contact is, how often you will get updates and who makes decisions if something unexpected happens on site.
Site visit, design and BOQ
3. What will I get before work starts?
A proper process gives you measured drawings, a layout, elevations, 3D views and an itemised BOQ before execution begins. We explain each stage in our guide to the interior design process step by step. If a designer wants to start work after one conversation and a rough sketch, think twice.
4. Do you charge for the site visit and the estimate?
Some firms charge, some do not. Neither is automatically wrong, but you should know before you invite anyone. We offer a free site visit and estimate.
5. Is the quote itemised?
A lump-sum number tells you very little. An itemised BOQ shows what you are paying for, makes comparison possible and prevents arguments later. Read our guide on how to read a BOQ in interior design if you have not seen one.
6. What materials and hardware will you use?
Ask for the plywood or board type, thickness, laminate or finish, hardware type and any brand or grade. These should be written into the BOQ, not left to "as per site". In Mumbai's humid climate, material choice in kitchens and wardrobes matters a great deal.
If you would like to put these questions to us in person, you can book a free site visit and we will answer them with your flat in front of us.
Money and agreement
7. What is the payment schedule?
Payment should follow milestones: for example, a booking amount, design approval, start of execution, carpentry completion and handover. Ask what triggers each payment. Be cautious of schedules where most of the money is due before visible progress. Never assume terms; get them written.
8. How is the timeline recorded?
Ask for a written schedule that shows main phases, and ask what could delay it. Material delivery, society restrictions, approvals from you and monsoon weather can all play a part. Our guide on how long interior work takes explains the phases. Treat any promise of an exact completion date before the scope is final as a guess, not a commitment.
9. How are changes handled?
Changes are normal. The question is how they are priced and recorded. A good answer is a written change note stating what changes, what it costs and how it affects the timeline, signed before the work is done.
10. What is excluded from the quote?
Exclusions cause the most surprise. Ask specifically about curtains, appliances, loose furniture, decor, lights, civil work, electrical changes, false ceiling, society charges and GST. For more on this, see our article on hidden costs in interior work.
Mumbai-specific questions
11. How do you handle society rules and permissions?
Societies in Mumbai often have rules on working hours, material movement, debris disposal, deposits and permissions. These differ between societies, so confirm with your society and site. A designer with real local experience will know what to ask and will share a checklist with you.
12. What support do I get after handover?
Every project can have small issues that only show after living in the home. Ask what after-handover service is offered, what it covers and for how long. Get the answer in writing, with specifics, and be wary of broad promises that cannot be described clearly.
Red flags to notice
- Pressure to pay a large amount quickly or to sign on the first day.
- Reluctance to share an itemised quote or drawings.
- No real project photos, or photos you cannot verify.
- Promises that sound too good, such as the lowest price with the highest quality and the fastest timeline together.
- Unwillingness to put things in writing.
Why written answers matter
A conversation is easy to remember differently six weeks later. When the designer's answers appear in a proposal, BOQ or agreement, both sides are protected. Before signing, read through the document and tick off each of the twelve questions. If an answer was given verbally but is missing on paper, ask for it to be added. This one habit prevents most disputes in interior projects, and a designer who welcomes it is usually a designer worth working with. Keep a folder, physical or on your phone, with every drawing, BOQ and message, so you can refer back whenever a question comes up during the project.
How to compare two or three designers fairly
- Give each the same brief, the same budget range and the same list of priorities.
- Ask each the same twelve questions and note the answers.
- Compare itemised quotes line by line, not just the final figure.
- Check what is excluded in each.
- Choose the designer who is clearest and most open, not simply the cheapest or the most polished.
If you are comparing options, our article on interior designer vs contractor can also help you decide who you need in the first place.
When you are ready to ask these questions of us, book a free site visit. We will visit your flat, discuss your needs and give you a free estimate, and you are welcome to bring this list with you.
Frequently asked questions
How many designers should I meet before deciding?
Two or three is usually enough to compare process and pricing. More than that can create confusion. Give each the same brief so that the comparison is fair.
Should I pay a booking amount before seeing 3D designs?
That depends on the agreement. If a booking amount is requested, ask exactly what it covers, what you receive in return and what happens if you decide not to proceed. Get it in writing.
Is the cheapest quote the best choice?
Not necessarily. Low quotes sometimes leave out items or use lower grade materials that are not stated. Compare itemised quotes for the same scope and materials before judging on price.
Can I visit an ongoing site?
Ask. Seeing a project in progress shows how a team actually works, including site tidiness and supervision. Some clients may not agree to visits, so a designer may not always be able to arrange one.
