That’s a very good and practical question 👍 — because not every client wants turnkey interiors. Some prefer to hire a designer only for design guidance and then source or manage furniture themselves.
Here’s how it usually works in Delhi NCR:
✅ Options for Using Only Design Services
🔹 1. Design-Only Package (No Execution)
- Designer provides:
- 2D layouts + furniture placement.
- 3D renders / mood boards.
- BOQ (Bill of Quantities) with material/furniture recommendations.
- You handle:
- Vendor selection.
- Furniture buying (online, market, showrooms).
- Execution & supervision.
👉 Works well if you want control over budget & sourcing.
🔹 2. Hybrid Model (Design + Your Furniture)
- Designer does custom wardrobes, modular kitchen, fixed furniture.
- You source loose furniture (sofa, beds, dining, rugs, décor).
- Designer may help with vendor selection and shortlisting.
👉 Most common setup in Delhi NCR.
🔹 3. Full Turnkey (Designer Insists on Everything)
- Some designers/firms only offer end-to-end services.
- They may resist design-only projects (lower margins for them).
👉 Good for those who don’t want to manage sourcing at all, but less flexible.
✅ What You Should Ask Your Designer
- Do you offer a design-only package if I manage sourcing myself?
- If yes, what’s included → layouts, 3D, BOQ, vendor suggestions?
- Will you help me shortlist furniture brands/markets (IKEA, Pepperfry, Kirti Nagar)?
- Do you charge extra for shopping assistance/market visits?
- Will you still do site supervision if I buy furniture separately?
⚠️ Red Flags
- Designer says: “We only work turnkey, no design-only service” 🚩.
- Gives vague “advice” without proper drawings/BOQ.
- Tries to push only custom furniture, even when ready-made fits.
✅ Pro Tip
- If you want flexibility → take design-only package (₹50–₹150/sq.ft. for 2D + 3D).
- If you want mix → get custom kitchen + wardrobes via designer, but buy sofa/dining/loose furniture yourself.
- Always insist on a detailed BOQ with brand + cost suggestions even in design-only service.
👉 Would you like me to create a Design-Only vs Turnkey Services Comparison Sheet (with inclusions, exclusions, typical costs) so you can decide which model works best for you before negotiating with a designer?
