That’s a fantastic question 👍 — because the cost gap between custom-made furniture and store-bought (ready-made) can be huge, and many designers in Delhi NCR don’t show this transparently. A professional designer should always give you a side-by-side cost comparison so you can decide where to save and where to invest.
✅ Example: Cost Comparison (Delhi NCR, 2025)
🛋️ Sofa (3-Seater)
- Custom (Ply/HDHMR frame, high-density foam, fabric of choice): ₹45,000 – ₹90,000
- Store-Bought (Pepperfry, IKEA, Home Centre): ₹20,000 – ₹60,000
👉 Custom = tailored comfort & fabric, but costs 30–50% more.
🛏️ Bed (Queen with Storage)
- Custom (Ply/HDHMR + hydraulic storage, upholstered headboard): ₹55,000 – ₹1.2L
- Store-Bought: ₹25,000 – ₹60,000
👉 Store-bought cheaper, but usually less durable (particle board instead of ply).
🚪 Wardrobe (6ft × 7ft)
- Custom (Ply/HDHMR + laminate/veneer + branded hardware): ₹90,000 – ₹1.6L
- Store-Bought (IKEA, Evok, Urban Ladder): ₹40,000 – ₹80,000
👉 Store-bought limited sizes; custom maximizes niche space.
🍽️ Dining Table (6-Seater)
- Custom (Solid wood/engineered wood + polish): ₹80,000 – ₹1.5L
- Store-Bought: ₹25,000 – ₹80,000
👉 Store-bought has variety; custom lets you choose size, finish, & upholstery.
✅ Why Comparison Matters
- Lets you prioritize: Custom for wardrobes/kitchens (space efficiency), ready-made for sofas/dining (budget-friendly).
- Prevents budget shocks → you see upfront where costs differ.
- Helps avoid designer bias (some push custom for higher margins).
💡 What You Should Ask Your Designer
- Do you provide side-by-side cost sheets for custom vs store-bought?
- Can I mix (custom wardrobes + store-bought sofas/dining)?
- Do you add markup on store-bought furniture or pass on discounts?
- Will you help me shortlist vendors (IKEA, Pepperfry, Kirti Nagar) if I choose ready-made?
- Do you give material specifications so I can compare durability (ply vs particle board)?
⚠️ Red Flags
- Designer only shows custom pricing 🚩 (may be hiding store-bought alternatives).
- Pushes you toward vendors without showing price vs quality breakdown.
- No BOQ comparison for furniture items.
✅ Pro Tip
- Custom: Best for kitchens, wardrobes, storage units, awkward niches.
- Store-Bought: Best for sofas, beds, dining sets, loose furniture.
- Always ask for a Furniture Cost Comparison Table (Custom vs Store-Bought, item-wise).
👉 Do you want me to create a Furniture Cost Comparison Template (Excel) with rows for sofa, bed, wardrobe, dining, study → columns for custom vs store-bought (brand, material, price range) so you can directly use it with your designer?
