What is your design fee structure — flat, per sq.ft., or % of project cost?

That’s a very important question 👍 — because design fee structure varies a lot across designers in Delhi NCR, and knowing this upfront avoids confusion later.

Here are the most common fee models you’ll come across:

✅ Design Fee Structures

1. Flat Fee (Lump Sum)

• How it works: One-time charge for the entire project.
• Range in Delhi NCR: ₹50,000 – ₹3,00,000+ (depending on project size).
• Pros:
  • Clear, predictable.
  • Good for small apartments or partial projects (only kitchen/bedroom).
• Cons:
  • May limit number of revisions.
  • Can feel expensive if project is small.

2. Per Sq. Ft. Fee

• How it works: Based on carpet area / built-up area.
• Range in Delhi NCR: ₹50 – ₹150/sq.ft. (for design only).
• Pros:
  • Scales with project size.
  • Easy to compare across designers.
• Cons:
  • Sometimes unclear what’s included (design only, or site visits, or drawings too).

3. Percentage of Project Cost

• How it works: 5% – 12% of total execution cost.
• Pros:
  • Designer has incentive to handle project end-to-end.
  • Often includes supervision.
• Cons:
  • If project cost increases, design fee also increases.
  • Less transparent if BOQ isn’t clear.

4. Package-Based (Turnkey Firms)

• How it works: Big firms (Livspace, Design Café, HomeLane) often bundle design fee into turnkey package.
• Pros:
  • “Free” design fee if you execute with them.
• Cons:
  • Cost recovery happens in execution, so less flexibility if you want only design.

✅ What You Should Ask Your Designer

1. What is your design fee structure — flat, per sq.ft., or % of cost?
2. What exactly is included → 2D drawings, 3D renders, mood boards, site visits?
3. How many design revisions are included in fee?
4. Do you charge extra if I only want design but not execution?
5. Is GST included in fee or added separately?

⚠️ Red Flags

• Designer says “Design is free if you go with us” 🚩 → cost is built into execution.
• No written breakup of what’s included in fee.
• No clarity on revision limits.

✅ Pro Tip

• For a 2BHK (900–1,200 sq.ft.), design-only fee is usually ₹80k–₹1.5L.
• For a 3BHK (1,200–1,800 sq.ft.), design-only fee is usually ₹1.2L–₹2.5L.
• Always ask for scope document + payment schedule along with design fee structure.

👉 Do you want me to make a Design Fee Comparison Sheet (Flat vs Sq.ft. vs %) in Excel — with pros/cons and cost examples for 2BHK & 3BHK — so you can use it when negotiating with designers?