D'leaps Design Desk · 2026-07-04
The questions that separate a studio that will deliver from one that won't — on timelines, BOQs, materials, warranty and hidden costs.
Choosing an interior designer is a high-trust decision — you are handing over a large sum and your home for several months. The glossy portfolio tells you little about whether a studio will actually deliver on time and on budget. These are the questions that do.
## 1. Will I get a written completion date?
The single most revealing question. A studio confident in its process will put the handover date in the contract. Vague answers ("about three months, depending…") usually mean the timeline will slip.
## 2. Is the quote an itemised BOQ or a package price?
Insist on a bill of quantities that lists every unit, material and rate. A lump-sum "package" hides where your money goes and makes changes impossible to price fairly. An itemised BOQ is the amount you approve and, if the studio is honest, the amount you pay.
## 3. What board grade and hardware do you use?
Ask specifically. Kitchen and wardrobe carcasses should be BWP/BWR plywood or HDHMR, not plain MDF. Hardware should be soft-close and named-brand. A suspiciously low quote often hides a cheaper board or hardware you will regret.
## 4. Will I see 3D designs before work starts?
You should sign off every room as a render before anything is cut. "We'll figure it out on site" is how surprises and disputes happen.
## 5. How do payments work?
Payments should be stage-wise and tied to milestones, not front-loaded. Be cautious of anyone asking for most of the money before work begins.
## 6. What is and isn't included?
Get clarity on electrical and civil changes, painting, countertops, loose furniture and appliances. These are the classic "hidden costs" that turn a tidy quote into a painful final bill.
## 7. Do you make modular units in a factory or on site?
Factory-made modular work is more precise and consistent than units improvised on site with a hand-held machine amid the dust.
## 8. What warranty do you offer?
Ask what is covered and for how long. A lifetime warranty on the modular carcass and hardware, plus a free-service period, signals a studio that expects its work to last.
## 9. Can I track progress?
Daily site photos, a shared BOQ, invoices and approvals in one place mean you are never left guessing. This matters even more if your project is out of town.
## 10. Can I speak to a recent client?
A studio proud of its delivery will happily connect you with someone whose home it finished recently. Ask them the only question that counts: did it finish on time, on budget, and as promised?
## The bottom line
Portfolios show taste; process shows reliability. Weight your decision toward the studio that answers these clearly and puts its promises in writing. At D'leaps, "We Deliver, What We Promised" is not a slogan — it is a written completion date, a locked BOQ and a 3D sign-off, backed by warranty. Ask us all ten questions; we would rather you did.