An interior design contract in Delhi should name the scope, a line-item BOQ, a stage-linked payment schedule, a completion date with a delay clause, a defect liability period, and who owns the drawings. Never pay more than 10–15% before drawings are frozen, and never pay a stage instalment for work that has not been completed and seen.
Most interior disputes in Delhi are not about bad work. They are about a payment schedule that ran ahead of the work, or a scope line that both sides read differently. Both are contract problems, and both are fixable in fifteen minutes before you sign. Here is what to check.
What must be in the contract?
- Scope, room by room. Not “living room interior” — the actual units: TV unit 8ft x 7ft, wall panelling on one wall, false ceiling peripheral, six downlights.
- The BOQ as an annexure. Every line with material, grade, brand, quantity and rate. The BOQ, not the total, is the contract.
- Payment schedule tied to stages, with each stage defined by completed work rather than by elapsed weeks.
- Start date, completion date, and what happens if it slips. A delay clause with a per-week figure focuses everyone.
- Defect liability period. Twelve months on workmanship is the norm; manufacturer warranty on hardware and appliances should pass through to you.
- Change-order process. How a mid-project addition gets priced and approved, in writing, before it is built.
- Drawing ownership. You should own the as-built drawings, MEP layouts and material schedule on final payment.
- Site conduct. Working hours, debris removal, worker IDs for the RWA, and who pays the society interior deposit.
- GST and invoicing, stated explicitly as inclusive or exclusive.
What does a safe payment schedule look like?
The principle is simple: money should always be slightly behind the work, never ahead of it. A schedule roughly like this keeps you protected without starving the project of working capital.
| Stage | % of contract | Released when |
|---|---|---|
| Booking / design start | 10 – 15% | Contract signed, design work begins |
| Design freeze + BOQ approval | 15% | You have signed off drawings and the BOQ |
| Material procurement | 25 – 30% | Material despatched or delivered to site — ask for despatch proof |
| Mid-execution | 20 – 25% | Civil, ceiling and carcass installation complete on site |
| Finishing | 10 – 15% | Shutters, hardware, painting and lighting done |
| Handover | 5 – 10% | After snag list is closed, not before |
Two red flags: 50% upfront before any drawing is frozen, and a final instalment demanded before snagging. The last 5–10% is the only leverage you have to get the snag list finished, so do not give it up early.
The clauses people forget
- What happens if you cancel after design freeze? Agree the figure now, not during an argument.
- Who bears the cost if the society refuses permission? Common in Delhi and Gurgaon condominiums.
- Material substitution. If the specified laminate is out of stock, the substitute must be your written approval, not a site decision.
- Escalation. Some contracts allow a price increase if the project runs past a certain month. Cap it or remove it.
- Storage and damage. Who is responsible if delivered material is damaged on site before installation.
- Existing furniture and flooring protection during a live renovation.
A five-minute pre-signature check
| Check | Pass | Fail |
|---|---|---|
| Is a line-item BOQ attached? | Yes, with brand and grade per line | A single lump-sum figure |
| Is any payment due before design freeze? | 10–15% booking only | 40–50% “to start” |
| Is there a completion date? | Date plus a delay clause | “Approximately 3 months” |
| Is there a defect liability period? | 12 months, in writing | Verbal assurance |
| Is GST stated? | Explicitly inclusive or exclusive | Not mentioned |
| Is the final payment after snagging? | Yes | Due on “completion” |
Frequently asked questions
Is a formal contract normal for a home interior in Delhi?
For anything above a few lakh, yes, and any studio that resists one is telling you something. A signed scope, BOQ and payment schedule protects both sides equally — it is as much the studio’s protection against scope creep as it is yours against overcharging.
Should the contract be registered or notarised?
Not required for an interior works contract. A signed agreement with the BOQ annexed, plus GST invoices, is what matters if there is ever a dispute. This is general information, not legal advice — for a large commercial fit-out, have your own lawyer read it.
What if I want to add work midway?
Insist on a written change order with its own price and its own effect on the completion date, approved before the work starts. Verbal additions are where both budgets and timelines quietly break.
How much should the booking amount be?
Ten to fifteen per cent is standard in Delhi. It covers the design and BOQ effort, which is real work even if you walk away afterwards.
About the studio behind this page
IntExt Concepts is a turnkey interior design and execution studio based at Chhatarpur, South Delhi, working across Delhi NCR since 2012. We handle design, BOQ, procurement, site execution and handover under one contract, with our own supervisors on site rather than sub-let coordination.
- Studio address: Chhatarpur, New Delhi 110074
- Operating since: 2012
- Scope: Design + BOQ + execution + handover (single contract)
- Coverage: South Delhi, West Delhi, Dwarka, Gurgaon, Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad
- Phone: +91 87440 41617
Get a line-item estimate
Share your floor plan or site dimensions and we will send a line-item BOQ — material grade, brand, quantity and rate for each item — instead of a lump-sum figure. Call +91 87440 41617 or use the enquiry form. See also: how to read an interior BOQ and turnkey vs labour contractor.