That’s a very important question 👍 — because refund policies vary a lot across designers and firms in Delhi NCR. Many disputes happen here if it’s not clarified in writing before starting.
✅ Typical Design Fee Refund Policies
1. Independent Designers / Freelancers
- Usually non-refundable.
- Reason: Their time, site visits, drawings, and concept work are intellectual services.
- If you cancel after concept stage → fee is kept.
2. Boutique Firms (Design + Execution)
- Some adjust/refund part of the fee if project is cancelled before design work starts.
- Once mood boards, layouts, or 3Ds are delivered → fee is not refunded, even if you don’t proceed with execution.
- If you cancel execution but keep design → fee is retained, drawings are handed over.
3. Turnkey Companies (Livspace, HomeLane, Design Café, etc.)
- Take a booking/design fee (₹25k–₹50k typically).
- Policy: Refundable only within a fixed window (like 7–15 days) if you haven’t started design work.
- After that, it’s adjustable against execution, not refundable as cash.
✅ What You Should Ask Your Designer
- Is the design fee refundable if I cancel?
- If not refundable, do I get all drawings, 3Ds, and BOQ?
- Do you adjust the fee against execution if I proceed later?
- What happens if I cancel after concept stage but before execution?
- Can you give your refund/adjustment policy in writing?
⚠️ Red Flags
- Designer says: “We’ll discuss later” 🚩 → unclear policy = risk of disputes.
- No written clause in the agreement.
- Refund tied to vague conditions like “if you don’t like design” but not defined clearly.
✅ Pro Tip
- Never pay full design fee upfront — split into milestones (concept → 3D → final drawings).
- Ask for partial refund clause if you cancel before work starts.
- For turnkey firms → clarify if fee is cash refundable or only adjustable in execution.
👉 Do you want me to draft a Sample Refund/Adjustment Policy (contract clause) that you can insist your designer includes, so there’s no dispute if you decide to cancel midway?
