Can I visit a completed project. Not just see photos?

Portfolio images can be misleading: lighting is controlled, styling is staged, and the photos are often taken immediately after completion before daily wear is apparent. Visiting a completed project and speaking with that homeowner directly is the single most valuable due diligence step you can take.

Are all the photos in your portfolio your own work?

Some designers include inspirational images from other sources or claim credit for projects they contributed to partially. Ask explicitly for each portfolio image: 'Is this a project you designed and executed, and can I have the client's contact?'

What exactly is included in your per-sq-ft rate?

Per-sq-ft rates vary enormously in scope. Some include design fees, materials, and labour. Others include only carpentry. Some exclude civil work (flooring, tiling, painting). Ask for a written line-item breakdown of what is and is not covered before comparing quotes.

What specific brands and grades of materials will you use?

Insist on material specifications in the contract: not 'BWR plywood' but 'Greenply BWR Grade, 18mm'; not 'premium laminates' but 'Merino or Greenlam, specific catalogue numbers.' Vague material descriptions allow substitutions after you have paid.

Will I receive copies of all material purchase invoices?

You have the right to see what is being procured in your name. Any designer who resists sharing procurement invoices is not operating transparently. This is the most effective way to verify that specified materials are what was actually purchased.

Who will be the site supervisor, and how many hours per day will they be present?

The person running your site daily is not always the designer you met in the pitch. Meet the site supervisor before work begins and assess their communication. Ask how many other sites they are simultaneously managing.

What is the realistic timeline for my project. Not the optimistic one?

Ask for the timeline for a comparable project they have recently completed, and ask how long it actually took vs. the original estimate. Add 4–6 weeks to whatever timeline they give you for your own planning purposes.

What is your payment schedule?

A fair schedule: 30–40% on design approval, 30–40% at execution start (material procurement), 20–30% on completion. Never pay more than 40% before execution begins. Never make a final payment until all punch-list items are resolved.

How do you handle change orders. What is the process and how are additional costs calculated?

Any change to the approved scope should be documented in writing with a cost impact before execution. Ask to see an example of a change order document they have used with a previous client.

What warranty do you provide on carpentry and civil work?

Standard warranties: 1–2 years on carpentry for manufacturing defects, 1 year on civil work. Some designers offer only a defect liability period (typically 6 months). Get warranty terms in writing in the contract.

Are you registered for GST, and will you provide a proper tax invoice?

Interior design services attract 18% GST. All payments should be against proper GST invoices. An unregistered designer charging below-threshold rates may indicate an early-stage practice without the systems for a complex project.

What happens if you are unable to complete the project. Illness, resource issues, or business closure?

Ask specifically what contractual protection you have if the designer cannot complete the project. Ensure your contract includes provisions for partial refunds of advance payments and transfer of all designs and specifications to you if the engagement terminates mid-project.

Interior Design

12 Questions to Ask a Residential Interior Designer Before Hiring

The 12 questions to ask any interior designer before you sign a contract. Covering portfolio, material specs, payment terms, supervision, and how to protect yourself.

Ajsal Abbas

4 August 2025

6 min read

Quick summary

The 12 questions to ask any interior designer before you sign a contract. Covering portfolio, material specs, payment terms, supervision, and how to protect yourself.

Why these questions matter

Interior design disputes in India almost always trace back to misaligned expectations established (or not established) at the hiring stage. Vague material specifications, unclear supervision arrangements, and poorly defined payment milestones are the three most common causes. These questions prevent all three.

The 12 questions

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