The Standard Interior Design Package — What's In
When an interior design company in Chennai offers a "complete home package," here's what's normally covered:
1. Modular Kitchen
The modular kitchen is always included in a full-home package. This covers base cabinets, wall/loft cabinets, countertop (granite standard), and a chimney hood provision (the space, not necessarily the chimney itself). The quality of carcass, shutter, and hardware varies by tier.
2. Wardrobes
Bedroom wardrobes are included — typically one per bedroom. A standard 6-foot sliding wardrobe with internal shelving and a mirror. The carcass and shutter finish change with the package tier.
3. TV Unit / Living Room Woodwork
A wall-mounted TV panel with storage and a back panel is standard. Higher tiers add integrated bookshelves, display niches, and accent lighting.
4. False Ceiling
Most packages include false ceiling for the living room (gypsum board with LED cove). Premium packages extend this to all bedrooms and the kitchen. Basic packages may not include it at all.
5. Painting
Interior painting (primer + 2 coats) throughout the flat. Standard = one colour. Premium = feature walls, texture finishes, or designer paints per room.
6. Lighting
Basic packages include LED strip in cove and a few spotlights. Standard adds downlights in kitchen and bedrooms. Premium includes a full lighting design with task, ambient, and accent lighting throughout.
Full Comparison: Basic vs Standard vs Premium Package
| Item | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen carcass | HDF / particle board | BWP plywood | Marine plywood |
| Kitchen shutter | Laminate | Acrylic / membrane | PU lacquer / glass |
| Kitchen hardware | Generic channels | Hettich soft-close | Blum Tandem + Servo |
| Countertop | Granite (20mm) | Granite/quartz (25mm) | Quartz / Corian (30mm) |
| Wardrobe carcass | HDF | BWP ply | Marine ply |
| Wardrobe shutter | Laminate | Acrylic / membrane | PU lacquer / fabric / glass |
| False ceiling | Living room only | Living + master bedroom | All rooms + coffered |
| Lighting | LED strip only | Downlights + strip | Full lighting design |
| Painting | Single colour throughout | Feature wall per room | Designer finishes per room |
| Warranty | 1 year | 3 years | 5 years |
What Is NOT Included (Important!)
Most interior design packages in Chennai explicitly exclude:
- ✗ Civil work — flooring, bathroom tiling, demolition, wall cutting, waterproofing
- ✗ Kitchen appliances — chimney, hob, oven, dishwasher, refrigerator
- ✗ Electrical rewiring / new DB board — extra beyond basic point additions
- ✗ AC installation — including conduits and outdoor unit mounting
- ✗ Loose furniture — sofa, dining table, chairs, beds
- ✗ Curtains and blinds — tracked separately
- ✗ GST (18%) — always check if quoted price is pre-GST or post-GST
Questions to Ask Before Signing Any Interior Contract
- Is the quoted price inclusive of GST?
- What civil work scope is included?
- How many extra electrical points are included?
- Are kitchen appliances included or just the provision?
- What is the warranty period and what does it cover?
- Who handles on-site supervision — the designer directly or a contractor?
- What happens if additional scope is discovered after the project starts?
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually not. Civil work (flooring, bathroom tiling, wall demolition) is quoted separately. Always ask upfront — some full-home packages do include it; most don't.
Standard packages include limited extra electrical points (5–8 new points). Major rewiring, new DB panels, or AC point installations are typically extra.
Typically excluded: civil work, appliances, electrical rewiring, AC installation, loose furniture (sofa/dining table), curtains, and GST. Always request a clear exclusions list.
Basic uses HDF/particle board + laminate + generic hardware + warranty. Premium uses marine plywood + PU lacquer/glass + Blum hardware + full lighting design + warranty.
Also see: Hidden Costs Nobody Tells You About · Basic vs Premium Package Comparison · Where Does Your Money Go? · Cost Calculator