That’s a very important question 👍 — because payment schedules vary a lot between independent designers, boutique firms, and turnkey companies in Delhi NCR. Having this clear in writing avoids cash-flow stress and disputes later.

✅ Typical Payment Schedules in Interior Design

Table of Contents

🔹 1. Independent Designers (Design-Only Services)

30–40% advance → to start design work (layouts, mood boards, 3Ds).
30–40% mid → before detailed drawings & BOQ handover.
20–30% final → on submission of complete design package.

👉 Clear for small scope or design-only projects.

🔹 2. Boutique Design + Execution Firms

10–15% booking/advance → to lock designer & prepare concepts.
30–40% after design approval → when carpentry / factory orders are placed.
30–40% mid-stage → during execution (woodwork, civil, painting).
10–20% final → after site handover, snag corrections, or furnishing stage.

👉 Usually milestone-based (kitchen started, wardrobes ready, false ceiling complete, etc.).

🔹 3. Large Turnkey Companies (Livspace, HomeLane, etc.)

10% token booking → to start design.
40% after final design sign-off → for ordering materials.
40% before production/dispatch → major factory build.
10% final → at installation/handover.

👉 More rigid, but standardised.

✅ What You Should Ask Your Designer

How much advance do you need to start?
Is payment linked to milestones (design approval, factory order, carpentry stage) or only fixed dates?
Do you provide receipts & GST invoices for each stage?
Can we keep a retention amount (5–10%) until final handover?
Do you allow instalment plans for large projects?

⚠️ Red Flags

Asking 50–70% upfront 🚩 before showing drawings/3Ds.
Only time-based schedule (dates) instead of milestone-based.
No receipts or invoices for payments.
Designer resists holding final 10% till handover.

✅ Pro Tip

A safe schedule = 10–15% advance, 70–75% milestone-based payments, 10–15% retention till handover.
For kitchens/wardrobes → expect 40–50% payment at factory order stage (since custom work starts).
Always link payments to progress milestones, not just calendar dates.

👉 Do you want me to draft a Sample Payment Schedule (2BHK/3BHK project, design + execution, with milestones) that you can insert directly into your contract with a designer?

What’s your payment schedule (advance, mid, final)?