What a real BOQ line looks like
| Item | Qty | Unit | Rate | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master bedroom wardrobe | 42 | sq ft | ₹1,850 | BWP ply carcass, 1mm laminate shutter, Hettich soft-close |
| Kitchen base units | 10 | running ft | ₹13,500 | BWP carcass, laminate shutter, Hafele channels |
| False ceiling — peripheral | 180 | sq ft | ₹95 | Gypsum board, Saint-Gobain, incl. putty |
If your quote says 'Bedroom furniture — ₹2,50,000' with no breakdown, it is not a BOQ.
Six ways a quote is made to look cheap
- Built-up area instead of carpet. Instantly makes the per-sq-ft rate look 20–30% lower.
- GST excluded silently. An 18% gap reads as a discount.
- MR-grade ply instead of BWP. The most common downgrade, and the first thing to fail in a humid city.
- 'Branded hardware' with no brand named. If Hettich, Hafele, Blum or Ebco is not written down, assume it is not included.
- Painting, electrical or civil excluded. Quoted later as 'additional work'.
- Lump-sum pricing. Nothing can be verified, so nothing can be disputed.
Design and build under one accountable roof
Questions to ask before signing
- Is this carpet area or built-up?
- Is GST included?
- What grade is the carcass in the kitchen and bathrooms specifically?
- Which hardware brand, in writing?
- What is explicitly excluded?
- How are variations priced and approved?
- What is the warranty, and on what?
A quote is not cheap because the studio is generous. Something is not in it. Find out what.
Greenbox principal designer
Selected work by Greenbox Design Studio. Tap any image to enlarge.
Frequently asked questions
What should an interior BOQ include?+
Every element as a separate line with quantity, unit, rate and specification including material grade and hardware brand. A quote that groups a whole room into one figure is not a BOQ and cannot be meaningfully compared with anything.
Why is one quote 40% cheaper than another?+
Almost always specification, not margin. The usual causes are MR-grade instead of BWP plywood, unbranded hardware, built-up rather than carpet area, GST excluded, or painting and electrical left out. Compare specification line by line before comparing totals.
Should I choose the cheapest quote?+
Only after normalising the scope. Put all quotes on the same area basis, same GST treatment, same carcass grade and same hardware brand — then compare. The cheapest quote frequently becomes the most expensive once variations are added.