Here’s a full set of questions and points you should ask or consider under 7️⃣ Modular Furniture & Carpentry when evaluating interior designers — especially in Delhi NCR. This will help you understand quality, costs, warranties, and whether the proposed solution matches your needs.
🔎 What “Modular Furniture & Carpentry” Covers
- Modular units made in factory (kitchens, wardrobes, TV panels, wall storage)
- On-site carpentry/custom built carpentry (bookshelves, vanity counters, decorative woodwork)
- Hardware (hinges, channels, sliders, handles)
- Finishes (laminate, acrylic, PU, veneer, glass panels, etc.)
✅ Questions to Ask Designers under this Category
- Do you recommend modular/factory-made units, or carpenter-built (site-built), or a mix?
- What are the pros & cons of modular vs carpenter-made for my apartment/villa?
- Which brands of modular kitchens, wardrobes, panels do you partner with (or recommend)?
- What sort of ply/board substrate do you use (e.g. BWP / BWR / HDHMR / marine ply / commercial ply / marine grade MDF)?
- Which hardware brands do you use for hinges, sliding systems, soft-close, channels (Häfele, Blum, Hettich etc.)?
- What finishes are possible — laminate / veneer / acrylic / PU / glass / mirror — and can I see samples?
- How do you handle edges, banding, joint finishes — so that things look neat and don’t peel or degrade?
- Do you provide detailed drawings + layout for the cabinets/carpentry (dimensions, internal shelving/drawer layout)?
- Are internal components modular (like drawers, pull-outs, shoe racks, tie/valet trays)? Can these be upgraded?
- What’s your estimated cost per sq.ft (or per unit) for modular furniture vs carpenter-made for comparable quality?
- How do you factor wastage, transport, installation in your pricing?
- How long will the modular / carpentry work take? What is the lead time?
- Who handles site leveling / fixing issues like uneven floors/walls that can impact the fit of modular units?
- Do you inspect the site thoroughly before ordering modular units to avoid misfits?
- What warranties do you offer on modular structure, hardware, finishes (laminate / PU / acrylic / veneer)?
- What maintenance service do you offer (alignment of shutters, hinges, drawers; finishing touch-ups)?
- What is the process for post-installation inspection / snagging for carpentry work?
- If I want to change a design after the cabinets are built (before installation), what costs and time delays are involved?
- Do you provide spare parts (hinges/sliders) or replacement services?
- What kind of finish (on inside surfaces) do you apply to interiors of cabinets (laminate / raw board / paint / PU) — this matters for cleaning & durability.
- What quality checks do you perform at the factory or at your workshop before delivery?
- How do you ensure colour & texture consistency (e.g., with veneers, laminates, PU finishes)?
- Do you source materials locally (Kirti Nagar, etc.), or import them — what are cost/time implications?
- Are installations done by your in-house team or subcontracted carpenters? How do you control quality in both cases?
- What happens if there is damage during transport or installation — who bears the cost and who ensures fixes?
⚙️ Additional Considerations / Red Flags
- If a quotes seems very low, check whether hardware & ply/board quality are being compromised.
- Make sure finish types are clearly specified in BOQ with brand & specification (not vague “premium laminate”) … vagueness lets them use cheaper alternatives.
- Watch out for warranty disclaimers (“if misused,” etc.) — many issues are from poor installation, not misuse.
- Check whether the designer will deliver & install modular units at your place vs you having to arrange logistics.
- Ensure that your designer agrees to accept a few site variables — e.g., walls not perfectly plumb, floors not exactly level — so that they adjust installations onsite (not force you to compensate).
If you want, I can prepare a Modular Furniture & Carpentry Comparison Template (Excel) for your home — you can fill in quotes from 2-3 designers using the questions above, compare cost, finish, warranty etc.