HIRING & VERIFICATION • KOLKATA
10 Critical Questions to Ask an Interior Designer in Kolkata Before Paying a Token
Hiring an interior designer is one of the most substantial financial and emotional investments you will make in your home. Asking the right questions during the initial consultation separates true architectural craftsmen from commission agents.
Key Takeaways
- •Demand an Itemized Bill of Quantities (BOQ) with explicit brand names, ply grades, and hardware model numbers.
- •Ask to physically visit an active under-construction site to inspect raw carpentry and electrical craftsmanship.
- •Clarify whether 3D views will be accompanied by complete architectural 2D MEP working drawings.
- •Confirm a payment milestone schedule tied to physical site deliverables rather than calendar dates.
1. The 10 Essential Vetting Questions
1. "Do you provide an itemized BOQ with exact brand names and thickness specifications, or a lump-sum package?"
2. "Can I visit one of your projects currently at the rough carpentry stage right now?" (Rookies only show finished, staged photos).
3. "What specific plywood brand, grade, and thickness will be used inside the kitchen base carcasses?"
4. "Who supervises the on-site craftsmen daily—a certified project engineer or an unsupervised head carpenter?"
5. "What happens if the handover exceeds the agreed timeline? Do you have a liquidated damages delay penalty clause?"
2. Payment Milestones: Protecting Your Capital
Never agree to pay 50% or 60% of the total project value upfront. A balanced milestone structure ties payments to tangible verification: 10% design booking, 20% upon material delivery at site, 30% after raw carpentry completion, 30% after painting and modular install, and a 10% final retention after snag rectifications.
Safe Milestone Payment Schedule
Swipe horizontally to compare →
| Milestone Stage | Recommended % | Verification Required Before Release |
| Contract & 2D Signoff | 10% | Approved 2D working drawings and 3D perspectives |
| Material Delivery at Site | 20% | Physically inspect brand stamps on plywood & hardware |
| Carcass & False Ceiling | 30% | All frames mounted, electrical piping tested |
| Finishing & Modular Install | 30% | Laminates/PU pressed, paint completed, lights active |
| Final Handover Snag Clearance | 10% | Zero pending snags, full functional hardware test |
Insider Trade Tip
The Trade Commission Audit
Ask your designer: "Do you receive kickbacks or retailer commissions from tile and marble shops when I purchase materials?" Ethical design studios either pass all trade discounts directly to the client with transparent distributor invoices or charge a fixed professional fee.
Consult with LUXiHOME (Free Consultation)
Whether you are planning a complete interior fit-out or building a new residence in Kolkata, schedule a 100% free consultation with LUXiHOME to review your floor plans and receive transparent cost estimates.
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