The sequence
- Write the briefHow many people, how you cook, what you store, who works from home. Two pages is enough, and it prevents months of drift.
- Set a realistic budgetUse a per-sq-ft band, then add 10% contingency and 18% GST. Know your ceiling before you meet designers.
- Shortlist and appointMeet three studios. Ask each for a line-item BOQ, not a lump sum — the quality of the BOQ tells you more than the portfolio.
- Layouts, then 3DResolve the plan first. 3D views make a resolved plan beautiful; they cannot rescue an unresolved one.
- Sign the contractBOQ, timeline, payment milestones, exclusions, variation procedure, warranty. All six, in writing.
- BuildWeekly site reviews. Decisions get made in the review, not ad hoc by whoever is on site.
- Snag and hand overWalk the home with a written list. Close it before the final payment.
Design and build under one accountable roof
The three decisions that cost the most if delayed
| Decision | Decide by | Cost of deciding late |
|---|---|---|
| Appliances | Before joinery fabrication | Cut-outs remade; ₹15k–₹60k plus a week |
| Electrical point positions | Before tiling and plastering | Chasing new walls; ₹20k–₹1 L plus two weeks |
| Flooring change | Before any joinery | Joinery lifted and refitted; can exceed ₹2 L |
Every decision is cheap on paper, expensive on site, and ruinous after handover.
Greenbox principal designer
Selected work by Greenbox Design Studio. Tap any image to enlarge.
Frequently asked questions
How long does planning take before site work starts?+
Typically three to five weeks: one week for brief and budget, two to three for layouts and 3D iterations, and one for BOQ finalisation and contract. Rushing this phase is the most reliable way to increase the final cost.
Should I fix the budget before or after meeting designers?+
Before. Arrive with a ceiling figure and share it. A designer who knows your budget will design to it; one who does not will produce something you have to value-engineer afterwards, which wastes everyone's time and usually the design's coherence.
How much contingency should I keep?+
Ten per cent of project value. It gets consumed by site discoveries — old wiring, uneven walls, damp — and by the small upgrades every client makes once they see the space taking shape.