The categories, and why one brand covers so many
| Category | Typical items | Who it competes with in India |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture fittings | Hinges, runners, drawer systems, lift systems | Other European fittings makers and Indian value brands |
| Architectural hardware | Door handles, locks, closers, floor springs | Specialist door hardware suppliers |
| Electronic locking | Digital and smart locks for homes and hotels | Dedicated smart lock brands |
| Kitchen appliances | Hobs, chimneys, ovens, sinks, faucets | Appliance specialists and Indian kitchen brands |
| Sanitary and bath | Fittings, accessories, shower systems | Dedicated sanitaryware brands |
| Furniture lighting | Cabinet lighting, profiles, drivers | Lighting manufacturers |
| Storage systems | Pull-outs, corner solutions, wardrobe internals | Fittings specialists and local fabricators |
For a turnkey project this breadth has a practical value: fewer suppliers, one coordination point and a single delivery schedule. That matters more on a commercial fit-out with a fixed handover date than on a single kitchen.
Price bands we observe in the Mumbai market
| Item | Typical open-market range | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Concealed soft-close hinge | ₹120 – 450 per piece | The spread across tiers is wider than between brands |
| Ball-bearing drawer runner pair | ₹400 – 1,400 | Load rating and extension drive the price |
| Metal drawer box system | ₹2,400 – 7,000 per drawer | Compare on side height and load rating, not on name |
| Tall unit pull-out | ₹13,000 – 40,000 per unit | Number of shelves and finish drive it |
| Mortise lock set with handles | ₹2,200 – 12,000 per door | Finish and cylinder grade dominate |
| Kitchen sink, stainless | ₹8,000 – 45,000 | Gauge, bowl configuration and finish |
| Cabinet LED profile lighting | ₹450 – 1,600 per running foot | Driver and profile quality vary widely |
These are ranges we encounter when buying, not an official price list. Quantity, tier and dealer all move them.
Writing a specification that actually binds
- Name the category, the family and the tier: “concealed soft-close hinge, [family], 110°, three per tall shutter”. A line reading “hardware — Hafele” permits anything.
- Schedule quantities per unit. A hardware schedule per cabinet is the only reliable way to compare two quotations.
- State the finish for anything visible. Handles and locks come in several finishes at different prices, and finish substitution is common.
- Require written approval for any substitution, including a substitution within the same brand from a higher tier to a lower one.
- For appliances and sanitary items, record model details on the handover file so spares can be ordered later without guesswork.
Where single sourcing helps and where it does not
- Helps: commercial fit-outs where a fixed handover date depends on coordinated deliveries, and where one after-sales contact is worth real money.
- Helps: projects where the client wants one warranty conversation rather than seven.
- Does not help: a single kitchen, where buying the best item in each category from different makers usually costs less for the same performance.
- Does not help: where a category is not the supplier’s strength. We regularly specify a broad-range supplier for fittings and a specialist for the hob, and see no contradiction in that.
Our position as an independent studio
Greenbox has no dealership, distributorship or commercial tie with Hafele. We specify from several manufacturers on the merits of each item, purchase through Mumbai dealers on the open market, and share supplier invoices where we procure for a client. Prices quoted on this page are market observations, not the manufacturer’s figures.
- If a client asks us to standardise a project on one supplier, we will do it and note where a different brand would have been cheaper or better.
- Product warranties come from the manufacturer on the manufacturer’s terms; our warranty covers installation and workmanship.
- We do not receive or accept brand-linked incentives that would affect a specification.
Specification summary
| Line item | What must be stated |
|---|---|
| Hinges and runners | Family, tier, soft close, load rating, count per unit |
| Door hardware | Lock type, cylinder grade, handle finish |
| Appliances | Category, size, and the details needed to order spares |
| Lighting | Profile type, driver rating, colour temperature |
| Substitution | Written approval required, including within the same brand |
| Handover | Model details and invoices in the O&M file |
Frequently asked questions
Is Hafele more expensive than other hardware brands?+
It appears at several price points, so the honest answer is that it depends entirely on the tier quoted. At the premium end it competes with other European specialists; at the value end it competes with Indian brands. Compare item for item at the same tier rather than brand against brand.
Can one supplier really cover a whole project?+
For hardware, locks, some appliances and lighting, largely yes. Whether that is the right call depends on the project. On a commercial fit-out with a date to hit, single sourcing saves coordination. On a single kitchen, mixing specialists usually costs less for the same result.
Is Greenbox affiliated with Hafele?+
No. We are an independent studio with no dealership, distributorship or commercial arrangement with Hafele or any other brand on this site. We buy through the open market and pass through invoices where we procure.
How do I compare two quotations that both say Hafele?+
Insist on an itemised hardware schedule with the family, tier, finish and quantity per cabinet. Two quotations with the same brand name and a ₹90,000 difference are almost always differing in tier and count, not in anything mysterious.
Where should I not use a broad-range supplier?+
Wherever a category is not their strength and a specialist is clearly better for the money — often the chimney, the hob or a specific drawer system. Mixing suppliers is normal practice and does not complicate a project as much as clients fear.