About this calculator
The Modular vs Carpenter Calculator compares the two execution paths for Indian home interiors: factory-made modular furniture vs site-fabricated carpentry. For an identical 2 BHK scope, modular typically lands 15–35% higher upfront than on-site carpenter work but delivers consistency, branded hardware and 5–10 year warranties.
Carpenter work is still 40% of the Indian market because it's flexible for irregular walls, cheaper for one-off pieces, and uses material you can pre-buy. Modular wins on finish quality, install time and resale value. This calculator helps you see the trade-off in rupees, not just abstract pros and cons.
Why homeowners use this calculator
- Side-by-side budget for identical scope.
- Hardware (Hettich, Hafele) baseline assumed for both — true apples-to-apples.
- Warranty + service difference quantified.
- Install timeline comparison.
- Free PDF with two-column comparison for decision making.
Features
- Scope inputs: kitchen Rft, wardrobe Rft, TV unit, beds.
- Material toggle (laminate / acrylic / membrane).
- City selector.
- Hardware tier picker.
- Premium gated PDF.
How the calculation works
We price the same scope twice: modular uses ₹/Rft factory rates plus delivery and install; carpenter uses material cost + ₹350–700/day skilled labour × project days. For a typical 2 BHK with 10 Rft kitchen + 16 Rft wardrobes + TV unit + 2 beds, modular runs ₹6.5–9 lakh, carpenter ₹4.8–7 lakh.
Why this estimate is more accurate
Most Indian homeowners face this choice without realistic numbers. Modular salespeople push warranty; carpenters push savings. Knowing both numbers for your specific scope lets you make the call based on your priorities (speed, lifespan, design flexibility, budget).
Material comparison
| Factor | Modular | Carpenter |
|---|---|---|
| 2 BHK furniture budget | ₹6.5–9 lakh | ₹4.8–7 lakh |
| Install time | 5–10 days on-site | 30–60 days on-site |
| Finish consistency | Factory-perfect | Varies by carpenter |
| Warranty | 5–10 yrs | None / informal |
| Design flexibility | Constrained to modules | Fully custom |
| Resale impact | Premium | Discounted |
| Post-install service | Branded service network | Hard to find original carpenter |
What affects the final cost
- Scope size — for big homes (3–4 BHK) modular's per-Rft advantage shrinks.
- Site shape — carpenter wins on irregular walls and tight corners.
- Material grade — branded laminate is the same price; carcass plywood is where carpenters cut corners.
- Project timeline — moving in fast? Modular saves 4–6 weeks.
- Property type — for rentals, carpenter is fine; for own-house, modular's longevity wins.
- Hidden costs — carpenter projects often overrun by 12–20% on material; modular price is firm.
City-wise cost variations
Same 2 BHK scope, laminate finish, 2026 pricing:
- Mumbai — Modular ₹8.5–11 lakh / Carpenter ₹6.2–8.2 lakh
- Delhi NCR — Modular ₹8–10.5 lakh / Carpenter ₹5.8–7.8 lakh
- Bengaluru — Modular ₹7.5–10 lakh / Carpenter ₹5.5–7.5 lakh
- Hyderabad / Chennai / Pune — Modular ₹7.2–9.5 lakh / Carpenter ₹5.2–7 lakh
- Tier-2 cities — Modular ₹6.5–8.5 lakh / Carpenter ₹4.8–6.5 lakh