Which is better: modular or carpenter-made?

Excellent question 👍 — because this is one of the biggest decisions for homeowners in Delhi NCR: whether to go for a factory-made modular system or on-site carpenter-made furniture. Both have pros and cons depending on budget, quality, speed, and flexibility.

✅ Modular Furniture (Factory-Made)

How it works: Units (kitchen, wardrobes, storage) are cut and finished in a factory with machines, then assembled at your site.

🔹 Pros

• Precision & Finish: CNC machines → cleaner cuts, smoother edges.
• Speed: Faster installation (7–10 days once ready).
• Warranty: Usually 5–10 years (Blum, Hettich, Hafele).
• Less Mess: No dust/noise at site.
• Replacement: Damaged shutters can be re-ordered easily.

🔹 Cons

• Less Flexibility: Sizes are standardized → odd corners may not fit perfectly.
• Higher Cost: Slightly more expensive than carpenters.
• Factory Dependency: Any last-minute change is costly or impossible.

👉 Best for: Kitchens, wardrobes, full apartments with neat finish & warranty.

✅ Carpenter-Made Furniture (On-Site)

How it works: Local carpenters build wardrobes/kitchen on site using plywood, laminates, and hardware.

🔹 Pros

• Customizable: Can fit odd-shaped rooms, niches, builder floor quirks.
• Cheaper: Labour cost lower (though depends on material choice).
• Flexible: You can make changes on the spot during execution.
• Local Materials: Easy to source replacements (Kirti Nagar, Bhagirath Place, Noida).

🔹 Cons

• Finish Depends on Skill: Can be rougher than factory.
• Time-Consuming: Kitchens/wardrobes may take 15–30 days on site.
• Messy: Dust, noise, long presence of carpenters.
• No Formal Warranty: Unless your designer provides one.

👉 Best for: Budget projects, builder floors, odd-sized homes where flexibility is key.

✅ Hybrid Model (Most Common in Delhi NCR)

• Modular factory-made kitchen + wardrobes.
• Carpenter-made TV units, pooja units, study tables, custom storage.
• This gives you factory finish + flexibility at balanced cost.

💡 What You Should Ask Your Designer

1. Which parts of my home will be modular vs carpenter-made?
2. Do I get warranty cards for modular units?
3. Can I visit the factory or workshop before finalizing?
4. What brands of ply/laminates/hardware are used in both cases?
5. How do you handle service/repairs after handover?

⚠️ Red Flags

• Designer says: “We only do carpenter work, trust us” → 🚩 no warranties.
• Designer says: “Only modular is good” → 🚩 may push you into higher costs unnecessarily.
• No clarity on which parts are factory vs site-made.

✅ Pro Tip

• For kitchens & wardrobes → go modular (neater, faster, warranty).
• For TV units, pooja units, study tables, niches → use carpenters (cheaper + flexible).
• Always ask for a mix/hybrid option.

👉 Do you want me to make a side-by-side Cost & Durability Comparison Table (Modular vs Carpenter) for a typical 2BHK kitchen + wardrobes in Delhi NCR, so you can see which option works better for your budget?