TL;DR
- Quote ₹4L → actual ₹6L is the norm, not the exception
- This isn't a mistake — it's the business model that wins deals
- The lowest quote gets the signature. Extras fund the profit.
- You can protect yourself with a ₹500 audit before signing
Every week, we hear the same story: "They quoted ₹4 lakh. We ended up paying ₹6 lakh." It happens with freelancers, with branded companies, with modular firms. The number always goes up.
This isn't bad luck. It's not even incompetence (usually). It's a predictable business pattern that works because customers don't see it coming.
The 3-Step Pattern: How Every Quote Overruns
The vendor quotes aggressively low to win the deal. They know 5 other vendors are quoting too. The lowest number wins. So they exclude items you'll definitely need — hardware, skirting, loft, electrical points, glass shutters — and show you a "base" price that looks affordable.
Once work starts, you see possibilities. "Can we add a loft here?" "What about a mirror unit in the bathroom?" "Let's do soft-close for all drawers." Each addition is ₹3,000–₹15,000. They add up to ₹50,000–₹1,00,000 before you notice.
The wall isn't straight. The electrical points need relocation. The plumbing doesn't align with the kitchen layout. These are real issues — but a good vendor would have flagged them in the site survey. Instead, they become "extra work" billed at premium rates after you've already committed.
Real Example: ₹4L Quoted → ₹5.8L Actual
This is a real 2BHK project in Bangalore (2025). Names removed, numbers verified from the client's bills:
| Item | Quoted | Actual | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modular kitchen (L-shaped) | ₹1,80,000 | ₹2,15,000 | +₹35,000 |
| 2 Wardrobes | ₹1,20,000 | ₹1,20,000 | — |
| TV unit + shoe rack | ₹60,000 | ₹72,000 | +₹12,000 |
| Loft storage (3 units) | Not quoted | ₹45,000 | +₹45,000 |
| Electrical relocation | Not quoted | ₹18,000 | +₹18,000 |
| Hardware upgrade (soft-close) | Not quoted | ₹22,000 | +₹22,000 |
| Skirting + edge banding | Not quoted | ₹14,000 | +₹14,000 |
| Glass shutters (kitchen) | Not quoted | ₹18,000 | +₹18,000 |
| TOTAL | ₹4,00,000 | ₹5,84,000 | +₹1,84,000 (46%) |
Notice: the wardrobes didn't change. The big items stay the same. The overrun comes from items that were never in the original quote — but which any experienced vendor knows you'll need.
What Was Quoted vs What Was "Extra"
✓ In the Quote
- Kitchen cabinets (carcass + shutters)
- Wardrobe with basic hardware
- TV unit structure
- Basic laminate finish
- Installation labour
✗ Billed as "Extra"
- Loft storage (you always need it)
- Hardware upgrade (soft-close hinges)
- Skirting and edge banding
- Electrical point relocation
- Glass shutters, handles, profiles
- Site cleaning and touch-up paint
How to Protect Yourself (3 Steps)
If a vendor gives you "Kitchen — ₹1.8L" without breaking it down into carcass, shutters, hardware, countertop, backsplash, and skirting separately — walk away. A lump sum quote is designed to hide exclusions.
Force them to list exclusions in writing. Loft? Electrical? Handles? Glass? Soft-close? Profile lights? If they can't give you a clear exclusion list, they're planning to bill those as extras later.
Spend ₹500 to have someone who isn't selling you anything review the quote. We check every line item against current market rates and flag what's missing. This alone saves ₹30,000–₹80,000 on a typical project.
Our Verdict
Don't sign any interior quote above ₹2 lakh without an independent audit. For ₹500, you'll know exactly what's missing, what's overpriced, and what will become an "extra" later. It's the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy for a home project.
How the ₹500 Quote Audit Works
Send your quote
WhatsApp us a photo or PDF of your vendor's quote
We review (48 hrs)
Line-by-line analysis against current market rates
You decide
PDF report with findings — negotiate or walk away informed
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do all interior vendors under-quote?
Because the lowest quote wins. Homeowners compare 3–5 vendors and pick the cheapest. Vendors know this — so they quote low, win the deal, and make margins on extras later. It's rational behaviour in a broken market.
Is a 30-50% overrun normal?
Unfortunately, yes. Across branded companies (Livspace, HomeLane) and freelance contractors, the pattern is consistent. The only variable is whether the extras are genuine needs or manufactured upsells.
Can I fix the price upfront and refuse all extras?
You can try — but you'll likely get a compromised result. The better approach: get a comprehensive quote that includes everything upfront (loft, hardware, electrical, skirting), so there's nothing left to add. Our audit helps you identify what's missing before work starts.
Have a quote that looks too good? Get it audited for ₹500 before you sign.
Book a ₹500 Quote Audit →The Home Consult is an independent interior design advisory based in Bangalore and Chennai. We audit quotes, create unbiased designs, and supervise execution — with zero commissions and zero product sales.