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How to Read a Modular Kitchen Quotation in Delhi: 12 Line Items Where Costs Hide
Two kitchen quotations for the same room can differ by a large margin, and the cheaper one is not always the better value. The reason is rarely that one company is greedy and the other generous. It is that the two quotes include different things. This guide shows you the 12 line items that matter, the red flags that signal trouble, and a simple method for comparing quotes fairly.
Why are two modular kitchen quotes so different?
Because they are usually not comparing the same kitchen. The differences hide in:
- the board used for the cabinet box and its thickness
- the finish on the shutters
- the brand and series of hinges and drawer systems
- whether the countertop, sink, hob and chimney are included
- how the price is measured (per running foot, per square foot or itemised)
- whether installation, transport and taxes are inside the total or added later
Until these are aligned, comparing totals is like comparing a car with and without an engine.
What are the 12 line items in a modular kitchen quotation?
| # | Line item | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pricing basis | Is it per running foot, per sq ft or itemised? What height and depth does that assume? |
| 2 | Cabinet board | Board type and thickness for the carcass. See HDHMR vs plywood |
| 3 | Shutter finish | Laminate, PP foil, lacquer, veneer or another finish. See kitchen finishes compared |
| 4 | Hardware | Hinge and drawer brand and series, written in the quote. See Blum vs Hettich |
| 5 | Accessories | Pull-outs, corner units, tall units, cutlery trays, bottle pull-outs and bins |
| 6 | Countertop | Material, thickness, edge profile, cut-outs and joints. See quartz vs granite |
| 7 | Backsplash | Material, height and whether it is supplied or only installed |
| 8 | Sink, hob, chimney and appliances | Which are supplied and which are only fitted? Cut-outs for built-in appliances |
| 9 | Loft, fillers, plinth and cornice | Often priced separately and often forgotten |
| 10 | Installation and transport | On-site installation, delivery, and for imported kitchens, shipping and customs |
| 11 | Taxes | Is GST included in the total, or added on top? |
| 12 | Warranty and after-sales | What is covered, for how long and who responds |
Print this table and tick it against each quotation you receive. A blank cell is a question to ask.
What does "per running foot" really mean?
Many Indian kitchen quotes use a running foot price: the length of cabinet along the wall, multiplied by a rate. It sounds simple, but the rate assumes a standard height, depth and specification. If you add tall units, a loft or a corner solution, the final amount can rise. Ask for the assumptions in writing: height of wall units, depth of base units, what is included in the rate and what is charged extra.
An itemised quotation is slower to read but easier to compare. At OPPEIN, the quotation follows the 3D design that you approve, so you can see what is being priced against what you will receive.
What costs are most often left out of a quotation?
These are the usual surprises.
- Countertop cut-outs and joints for the sink, hob and any long run
- Tall units and corner solutions, which need extra hardware
- Soft-close upgrades and premium drawer systems
- Lighting and electrical points under wall units
- Backsplash material and fitting
- Plumbing, electrical and civil changes in the room
- Taxes shown separately at the end
- Society or building charges for lift use, deposits and debris removal
- Appliances and chimney, if they are not part of the package
- Packing, transport and shipping for imported kitchens
Ask the question directly: "What is not included in this price?" A good company will answer in detail.
What are the red flags in a kitchen quotation?
- One lump-sum number with no breakdown
- Phrases like "as per site" or "as per actual" next to major items
- "Branded hardware" with no brand or series named
- No board thickness or type mentioned
- A large advance requested before the design is approved
- No written timeline or a timeline that sounds too good to be true
- Verbal promises that do not appear in the document
- Pressure to decide today because a discount expires
When a quote is vague, it is not neutral. The gap is usually filled in the supplier's favour.
How do I compare two modular kitchen quotes fairly?
Use this four-step method.
- Fix the design. Give both companies the same layout, the same appliance list and the same room measurements.
- List the 12 items from the table above in a spreadsheet, one column per company.
- Fill the gaps. For every blank or vague cell, ask the company to clarify in writing.
- Equalise. Add the missing items to the cheaper quote so that both include the same board, finish, hardware, countertop and installation.
Only then compare totals. You will often find that the gap shrinks, or that the cheaper quote was cheaper for a reason you can now see. For a deeper view of how quality shows up over time, read designing a kitchen that ages well and the hardware you don't see.
How much advance should I pay, and when?
There is no universal number, and it varies by company. What matters is that the payment schedule is written down and linked to clear milestones, such as design approval, order confirmation, delivery and completion. Avoid paying a large sum before the design is finalised and approved. Ask what happens to your advance if the project is cancelled or delayed, and ask who is responsible for delays.
For imported kitchens, timeline and payment are connected because production and shipping take time. OPPEIN projects usually take about 12 to 15 weeks from the first design consultation to installation. Ask your designer for the payment schedule that matches the stages of your project.
What does the OPPEIN quotation process look like?
We follow the same five steps for every client:
- Design consultation. We understand your requirements and lifestyle and share designs and layouts.
- Quotation and approval. You review the design and quotation, and approve.
- Measurement and order. We take on-site measurements and place the order.
- Production, shipping and installation. Your order is made at OPPEIN's factory, shipped to India and installed by our own trained installers.
- After-sales. Any production or shipping issues are handled by us.
Because measurement happens after you approve the design, it is fair to ask how any difference between the plan and the final measurement is handled. We recommend asking this question of every kitchen company. You can review the materials we specify on the materials page and the design thinking behind our collections in Italian kitchen design in India. A good layout also saves money, so read kitchen layout planning for Indian cooking before you finalise.
Ten questions to ask before you accept any quotation
- Is this price per running foot, per sq ft or itemised, and what does it assume?
- Which board and thickness are used for the carcass?
- Which hardware brand and series are included?
- Is the countertop included, and what material and thickness?
- Are the sink, hob, chimney and appliances supplied or only fitted?
- What is excluded from this price?
- Is GST included?
- What is the payment schedule, and what is each stage linked to?
- What is the timeline, and what happens if it slips?
- What does the warranty cover, and who will visit if something goes wrong?
Frequently asked questions
What should a modular kitchen quotation include?
It should list the pricing basis, board, shutter finish, hardware brand and series, accessories, countertop, backsplash, appliances and fittings, loft and fillers, installation, transport, taxes and warranty.
What are the hidden costs in a modular kitchen?
Common ones are countertop cut-outs and joints, tall units and corner solutions, lighting, backsplash, civil and plumbing changes, taxes and society charges for lift and debris.
Is GST included in a kitchen quote?
It depends on the company. Ask whether the total includes GST or whether it is added at the end, and get the answer in writing.
How much advance should I pay?
There is no fixed number. Pay in stages linked to design approval, order, delivery and completion, and avoid large payments before the design is approved.
Why are two kitchen quotes so different?
They usually include different boards, finishes, hardware and inclusions. Align them line by line before comparing totals.
Can I change the design after approving the quotation?
You can usually make changes before the order is placed, but changes after production starts are slower and may cost more. Ask for the change policy in writing.
Get a clear, itemised quotation
Visit the Experience Centre at Ground Floor, A-53, Okhla Phase 2, New Delhi 110020, Monday to Saturday, 10:30 to 19:00, or call and WhatsApp +91 84476 77346. Book a free design consultation, browse the kitchen range, learn about OPPEIN Delhi NCR and read more guides on the OPPEIN blog.