Design Process

How Long Does an Interior Design Project Usually Take?

4 June 2026 · 5 min read

Every designer will give you an optimistic timeline in the initial meeting. I'd rather give you a realistic one now, before you've committed to anything. Our services page outlines our process and typical milestones.

Phase Breakdown

Initial consultation and brief — 1 week

This is the site visit, the brief discussion, the scope agreement. It shouldn't take longer than a week if both sides are responsive.

Design phase — 2 to 3 weeks

AutoCAD drawings, 3D renders, BOQ preparation. For a 2BHK done properly, three weeks is realistic. Rushing this phase is where most projects go wrong — execution problems almost always trace back to incomplete design documentation.

Client approval and revisions — 1 to 2 weeks

This depends almost entirely on how quickly you can review and decide. If you're traveling or difficult to reach, build more time here. One revision round is typically included in our scope; major changes reset the clock.

Execution — 8 to 16 weeks

This is the big variable. Civil work (if any), false ceiling, flooring, carpentry, electrical, painting, furniture, accessories — these happen in sequence with some overlap, and the sequence matters. You can't do flooring before waterproofing. You can't do painting before carpentry.

Size-Based Timeline Guide

Apartment Size	Total Timeline
1BHK (500-700 sqft)	10 to 14 weeks
2BHK (800-1100 sqft)	12 to 16 weeks
3BHK (1200-1600 sqft)	16 to 20 weeks

These are total timelines from first site visit to move-in, assuming prompt approvals from you and reasonable vendor availability.

What Actually Causes Delays

Society NOCs — Many Pune housing societies require formal approval before civil or carpentry work begins. Some take a week, some take three. The permit process for drilling, waterproofing, or structural changes varies enormously. Always account for this.

Material lead times — Custom tiles ordered from a showroom? 3 to 4 weeks delivery. Imported hardware? 4 to 6 weeks minimum. If you select materials late in the process, you're adding that lead time to the end of your project.

Contractor availability — Good contractors in Pune are booked. If your project starts in October (the post-Navratri rush when everyone moves), expect delays. Planning a project start in January or July gives you better access to labour.

Client decision delays — I say this respectfully: the most common delay factor I've seen is clients taking two or three weeks to approve something that should take two days. The project timeline sits still while that decision is pending.

Ali's 20% Rule

Whatever timeline you've been given, add 20% to your mental expectation. Not because designers are being dishonest — because construction is unpredictable. A project quoted at 12 weeks should mentally be planned for 14-15. If it comes in at 12, that's a win. If it comes in at 14, you haven't been blindsided.

Plan your move-in date accordingly. Don't book movers for the day the contractor says he'll be done. Also factor in our 3D render and design phase, which typically takes 2–3 weeks and is time well spent.

Talk to us about your specific timeline — book a home visit →