Introduction:
Whenever we share a completed interior project, one question appears almost immediately:
“What was the total cost of this project?”
It’s a completely valid question because while everyone admires the final transformation, very few people understand what actually goes into creating it. Most homeowners only see the furniture, lighting and beautiful finishes, but behind every successful renovation lies months of planning, technical drawings, site coordination, skilled labour and carefully selected materials.
In our previous project walkthrough, we showcased how we transformed a 422 sq. ft. studio apartment in Shimla from a cramped and poorly planned home into a modern, spacious and highly functional living space. If you haven’t read that transformation story yet, we highly recommend checking it out first, as this article is a continuation of that journey. So, read full blog to know the studio apartment renovation cost in India.
In this blog, we’ll break down the complete renovation cost of the project and explain where every rupee was invested. This isn’t just about sharing a number; it’s about helping homeowners understand how an interior budget is actually distributed and why proper planning is one of the biggest investments in any renovation.
Before we begin, one important note: this project was designed and executed by VEDA Architects, an Architecture and Interior Design firm practicing across Shimla and Delhi NCR. The costs mentioned below are based on this specific project. Renovation budgets may vary depending on the city, labour charges, transportation, material selection, site conditions and individual client requirements.
The Project at a Glance: Studio Apartment Renovation cost in India
This project involved the complete transformation of a 422 sq. ft. studio apartment. Although the apartment’s footprint remained exactly the same, almost every interior element was redesigned—from planning and services to finishes and custom furniture.
Instead of simply renovating the interiors, our objective was to improve functionality, maximise storage, bring in more natural light and create a home that felt significantly larger without increasing a single square foot.
The total renovation cost came to approximately ₹12 Lakhs, covering demolition, civil work, electrical services, plumbing, flooring, false ceiling, custom furniture, windows, appliances and final finishes.
Let’s understand how this budget was distributed.
1. Demolition – Every Renovation Begins Here:
One of the most overlooked expenses in any renovation project is demolition.
Before building something new, the existing space needs to be carefully dismantled. In this apartment, old wardrobes, the existing kitchen, sanitary fittings, unnecessary finishes and selected wall portions were removed to prepare the apartment for its new design.
Demolition is much more than simply breaking walls. It also includes protecting the existing structure, safely removing debris and preparing the site for the next stage of construction.
The complete demolition and site preparation for this project cost approximately ₹40,000.
2. Civil Work & Reconstruction:
Once the apartment was cleared, the next stage involved minor civil modifications based on the new planning. As shown in our transformation video, we made only the changes that were absolutely necessary. Existing layouts were modified, selected walls were altered and the washroom was reconfigured to suit the new design.
One of the biggest planning interventions was converting two disconnected rooms into a much more open and functional floor plate while maintaining privacy through a custom foldable partition.
These civil alterations and reconstruction works cost approximately ₹30,000.
3. Electrical Work & Lighting:
Electrical planning is one of the most important stages of any interior project because every future activity depends on it. Since the apartment layout changed completely, the electrical layout also had to be redesigned from scratch. New switch points, appliance connections, television points, concealed wiring and dedicated lighting circuits were planned according to the furniture layout.
Lighting was another major focus of the project. Instead of relying on a single light source, different layers of lighting were introduced to create a warm and comfortable environment. Cove lighting, profile lights, LED strip lighting and decorative fixtures were carefully integrated into the design to give each space its own identity.
Including labour, electrical material, concealed wiring and complete lighting installation, the total electrical package came to approximately ₹1.60 Lakhs.
4. POP Ceiling & Feature Walls:
Many homeowners assume that false ceilings are purely decorative, but in reality they perform several practical functions.
A well-designed ceiling conceals wiring, integrates lighting, hides services and creates cleaner proportions within a room.
Since this apartment was compact, we intentionally avoided heavy ceiling designs. Instead, we opted for a minimal POP ceiling with recessed lighting and elegant cove details that enhanced the overall space without reducing its perceived height.
Feature wall detailing was also introduced to add subtle character to the living room while maintaining a clean and contemporary aesthetic.
The complete POP work—including ceiling, wall punning, labour and materials—cost approximately ₹90,000, with around ₹70,000 spent on the ceiling and ₹20,000 on wall finishes.
5. Plumbing & Sanitary Work:
Good plumbing is one of those investments that remains hidden, but directly affects the comfort and longevity of a home. The existing washroom was completely redesigned, requiring new plumbing layouts, concealed pipelines and sanitary installations. The kitchen plumbing was also modified to suit the redesigned counter layout.
This package included internal plumbing lines, sanitary fittings, WC, wash basin, shower fittings, concealed accessories and installation.
Labour, internal plumbing materials and premium external sanitary fittings together cost approximately ₹1.50 Lakhs. As architects, we always advise homeowners not to compromise on concealed plumbing because repairing it later can be significantly more expensive than investing in quality from the beginning.
6. Flooring, Tiles & Quartz Countertops:
Flooring plays an important role in defining the overall visual experience of a home.
For this project, we selected Kajaria high-gloss vitrified tiles throughout the apartment. Using the same flooring across most spaces created visual continuity, making the apartment appear larger and brighter.
The complete floor tile package cost approximately ₹80,000, while bathroom wall tiles added another ₹30,000. To achieve a premium yet timeless appearance, quartz was selected for the kitchen countertop. Instead of allowing material wastage, the remaining quartz was intelligently used for the island counter, study table and vanity counter, maintaining consistency throughout the apartment.
The complete quartz work cost approximately ₹80,000.
7. Custom Woodwork – The Largest Investment:
For most interior projects, custom furniture represents the largest share of the budget, and this apartment was no exception.
Small apartments demand intelligent storage solutions. Every wardrobe, kitchen cabinet, television unit, study table, island counter and storage cabinet was custom designed specifically for this home. Instead of using ready-made furniture, every unit was designed to maximise functionality while making efficient use of the available space.
For durability, HDHMR boards were selected, while decorative WPC mouldings and louvers added architectural depth to the living room. The total labour cost for carpentry was approximately ₹70,000, while material costs reached nearly ₹3 Lakhs, making the complete woodwork package approximately ₹3.70 Lakhs—the single largest investment in the entire project.
8. uPVC Windows:
Another major upgrade involved replacing the existing windows. After integrating the balcony into the living space, good-quality glazing became essential. We installed uPVC triple-track sliding windows, chosen not only for their appearance but also for their durability, thermal performance and low maintenance.
High-quality windows maximise natural light, improve ventilation and beautifully frame outdoor views—an especially valuable feature in a location like Shimla. The complete window package cost approximately ₹90,000.
9. Appliances:
One area that homeowners often forget while preparing an interior budget is appliances.
Items such as the geyser, kitchen hob, chimney and water purifier may seem like separate purchases, but together they contribute significantly to the overall project cost.
For this apartment, the combined appliance budget came to approximately ₹1.20 Lakhs.
10. Final Cost Breakdown:
The complete renovation budget was distributed as follows:
- Demolition & Site Preparation – ₹40,000
- Civil Work & Reconstruction – ₹30,000
- Electrical & Lighting – ₹1.60 Lakhs
- POP Ceiling & Feature Walls – ₹90,000
- Plumbing & Sanitary – ₹1.50 Lakhs
- Floor Tiles – ₹80,000
- Bathroom Wall Tiles – ₹30,000
- Quartz Countertops – ₹80,000
- Custom Woodwork – ₹3.70 Lakhs
- uPVC Windows – ₹90,000
- Appliances – ₹1.20 Lakhs
The complete transformation of this 422 sq. ft. studio apartment was completed within an overall budget of approximately ₹12 Lakhs.
Is ₹12 Lakhs Expensive for Studio apartment renovation cost in India?
This project demonstrates that successful renovations are not simply about spending more money—they are about spending money in the right places.
Good planning, quality materials and skilled execution always provide better long-term value than making decisions based only on the lowest quotation.
At VEDA Architects, every project begins with understanding how people live, followed by designing spaces that are practical, timeless and built around their lifestyle. This studio apartment is a perfect example of how intelligent planning can completely transform the experience of a home without increasing its size.
If you’re planning to renovate your own home and would like professional guidance, we’d love to help you create a space that works beautifully for your needs. So, I hope you like the blog on Studio apartment renovation cost in India, read more blog on the website to know more about architecture and design.
