One of the first questions homeowners ask when planning an apartment interior is: “How much will my 1,200 sqft flat interior cost?”

It is an important question but floor area alone cannot produce a reliable answer.

Two flats with the exact same 1,200 sqft area can require very different budgets depending on their existing condition, kitchen scope, furniture requirements, flooring, electrical modifications, ceiling design, storage requirements and material specifications.

That is why a professional interior quotation should begin with a BOQ or Bill of Quantities not simply a lump-sum price.

A BOQ breaks the project down item by item so that you can understand:

What is being done → How much is required → What specification is being used → How the cost is calculated.

For homeowners in Dhaka, where apartments of around 1,200 sqft are common in areas such as Uttara, Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Badda and Bashundhara, understanding this document before starting a renovation can prevent many of the most common budget disputes later.

This guide explains how a typical 1,200 sqft residential interior BOQ is structured, which categories usually carry the most weight, what actually changes your interior budget, and what you should check before approving a quotation.

What Is an Interior BOQ?

A Bill of Quantities is a structured document listing the materials, quantities, specifications and work required to complete an interior project.

A proper BOQ should normally identify five things clearly:

For example:

The important point is not the format itself.It is transparency.

A quotation that only says:

“Complete Interior Package – ৳XX lakh”

does not give a homeowner enough information to compare materials, understand scope or identify where future changes may affect the budget.

Where Does the Budget of a 1,200 Sqft Flat Usually Go?

There is no universal percentage formula for every apartment.

However, understanding the relative weight of different categories helps homeowners see why some design decisions have a much larger impact on the overall budget than others.

Important: The ranges below are indicative category ranges based on typical project structures. They are not a fixed allocation model and should not simply be added together as a standard 100% BOQ.

Actual distribution changes according to the condition of the apartment and the final design scope.

For example, a newly handed-over flat where the existing floor tiles and electrical points are retained may require relatively less civil and flooring work.
An older apartment undergoing a complete renovation may require substantially more demolition, surface preparation, plumbing and electrical modification.

1. Civil & Masonry Work

Civil work often becomes one of the heavier BOQ categories when the existing apartment layout needs modification.

It can include:

• wall demolition or new partition construction
• plastering and surface correction
• bathroom or balcony waterproofing
• floor preparation
• door-opening modifications
• repair of damaged surfaces
• preparation required before finishing work

Crucially, any layout alterations, internal wall adjustments, or wet-area waterproofing should align with the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) to protect the building’s structural integrity and avoid compromising common utility shafts.
Civil work becomes particularly important in renovation projects because existing site conditions are not always fully visible until work begins.

A flat that looks structurally straightforward during the first visit may reveal uneven walls, damaged waterproofing or previous electrical/plumbing modifications once execution starts.

2. Electrical Work

Electrical work is one of the areas homeowners often notice only after the interior is already complete.

But proper electrical planning should happen early.

A residential electrical BOQ may include:

• wiring and conduit
• switch and socket points
• distribution board modifications
• AC electrical provisions
• geyser points
• kitchen appliance points
• refrigerator and microwave provisions
• TV and data points
• router or internet provisions
• backup power or inverter wiring
• decorative-lighting connections

The number and location of electrical points should follow the final furniture layout.

Otherwise, homeowners often end up using extension boards or relocating points after the interior work has already been completed.

3. Plumbing & Sanitary Work

Plumbing costs vary significantly depending on whether the existing kitchen and bathrooms remain in their original positions.

The BOQ may include:

• water supply lines
• drainage modifications
• sanitary fitting installation
• basin and commode installation
• shower fittings
• kitchen sink connection
• water purifier provision
• washing-machine connection
• bathroom accessories

Moving plumbing points after finishing work begins can affect several other categories simultaneously, including civil work, waterproofing, flooring and wall finishing.

That is why bathroom and kitchen planning should be finalized early.

4. False Ceiling & Lighting

A ceiling is not only a decorative element.

It also helps organize lighting, conceal selected services and define different areas of the apartment.

Depending on the design, this section may include:

• gypsum ceiling
• simple perimeter ceiling
• cove lighting
• recessed lighting
• spotlights
• pendant-light provisions
• curtain-pocket details
• fan points
• decorative ceiling features

A simple ceiling plan naturally costs less than a highly layered design with multiple lighting channels and decorative details.

For many 1,200 sqft apartments, restraint works better than excessive ceiling work because it helps smaller rooms feel more open.

5. Painting & Wall Finishing

Painting is often treated as a simple final-stage item, but its cost is influenced heavily by surface condition and finish requirements.

The BOQ may include:

• wall preparation
• putty
• primer
• base coats
• final paint
• feature-wall paint
• textured finishes
• wallpaper preparation
• decorative panel preparation

An existing apartment that requires significant wall repair may have a noticeably different finishing cost from a newly handed-over flat.

6. Flooring

Flooring is one of the categories where material selection can quickly change the overall budget.

Depending on the project, the BOQ may include:

• tile installation
• vitrified tiles
• engineered wood
• SPC or similar flooring
• skirting
• floor leveling
• replacement of damaged tiles
• installation labour

One important cost decision is whether the existing developer-provided flooring will be retained.

If it is already in good condition and works with the design, replacing the entire floor may not always be necessary.

7. Modular Kitchen

For many residential interiors, the kitchen becomes one of the most specification-sensitive areas of the BOQ.

It combines cabinetry, hardware, countertop materials, plumbing, electrical points and appliances in a relatively small space.

A modular kitchen BOQ may include:

• base cabinets
• wall cabinets
• tall storage
• countertop
• cabinet shutters
• drawer systems
• hinges and channels
• pull-out baskets
• corner accessories
• backsplash
• sink
• chimney provision
• lighting
• appliance provisions

Two kitchens of the same size can have dramatically different costs depending on the board, finish, hardware and countertop selected.

That is why descriptions such as “good quality board” or “premium hardware” should be avoided in a final BOQ.

The specification should be clear.

For more detailed kitchen-planning considerations, homeowners can also review RDS Interior’s Modular Kitchen Design service.

8. Wardrobes & Storage

Storage is especially important in compact urban apartments.

A well-designed 1,200 sqft flat generally benefits more from efficient built-in storage than from adding many separate pieces of furniture.

A wardrobe and storage BOQ may include:

• bedroom wardrobes
• sliding or hinged shutters
• drawers
• hanging sections
• shelves
• dresser units
• shoe storage
• living-room storage
• utility cabinets
• study storage

The internal design matters almost as much as the external finish.

A large wardrobe with poor internal organization does not necessarily provide better storage.

9. Furniture & Furnishing

This is one of the most flexible sections of a residential interior BOQ.

Some homeowners already own major furniture pieces.

Others want almost everything custom-designed for the new apartment.

The scope may include:

• sofa
• coffee table
• TV unit
• dining table
• dining chairs
• beds
• bedside tables
• study desks
• curtains
• blinds
• soft furnishings

When comparing two interior quotations, homeowners should always check whether loose furniture is included.

A lower quotation may simply contain a smaller furniture scope.

10. Miscellaneous Work & Contingency

A transparent BOQ should recognize that execution involves more than visible materials.

Depending on the contract structure, additional items may include:

• transportation
• labour logistics
• material handling
• site protection
• final cleaning
• debris removal
• touch-up work
• minor execution adjustments

A contingency allowance should not be treated as hidden extra money.

Its purpose is to create a controlled provision for genuinely unforeseen work.

The important issue is that the percentage or allowance should be clearly identified instead of being hidden inside unrelated categories.

Same 1,200 Sqft Flat – Why Can the Budget Be Completely Different?

This is one of the most important things homeowners should understand.

Square footage tells us the size of the space. It does not tell us the scope of work.

Imagine three 1,200 sqft apartments.

Scenario A: Essential Upgrade

The existing flooring is retained.

Kitchen layout remains unchanged.

Electrical modifications are limited.

Only essential furniture and storage are added.

The BOQ remains relatively focused.

Scenario B: Complete Interior

The project includes:

• complete furniture planning
• modular kitchen
• wardrobes
• ceiling
• lighting
• selected wall treatments
• electrical changes
• custom storage

The same 1,200 sqft now requires a significantly broader BOQ.

Scenario C: Full Premium Renovation

Now add:

• demolition
• layout modification
• upgraded flooring
• premium kitchen hardware
• custom wall paneling
• extensive cabinetry
• premium sanitary fittings
• detailed lighting
• higher-end materials

The floor area has not changed.

The scope, specification and execution complexity have.

This is why comparing interior quotations only by total amount can be misleading.

What Actually Changes a 1,200 Sqft Flat Interior Budget?

Several factors have more impact than square footage alone.

Existing Condition

A newly handed-over apartment typically requires a different scope from a 10- or 15-year-old apartment requiring renovation.

Material Specification

Changing the grade of board, hardware, tiles, countertop, sanitary fittings or paint can affect multiple BOQ categories.

Amount of Custom Furniture

More built-in furniture means more board, hardware, finishing and installation work.

Kitchen Scope

The kitchen is one of the easiest areas for specification upgrades to affect the final quotation.

Civil Modification

Moving walls, bathrooms or door openings adds work across multiple trades.

Electrical Modification

A design involving extensive lighting, appliances or relocated power points requires more electrical work.

Ceiling Complexity

A simple ceiling and a highly layered decorative ceiling do not carry the same material or labour requirement.

Imported vs. Locally Available Materials

Material origin, availability and lead time can influence both price and project schedule.

Before Approving a BOQ, Check These Four Things

1. Specification

Does the BOQ identify what is actually being supplied?

Avoid vague terms such as:

“Good plywood”
“High-quality fittings”
“Premium tiles”

Material quality needs to be measurable.

2. Quantity

Can you see how much of each item has been calculated?

For measurable work, quantity should be transparent enough to verify.

3. Rate

Does the BOQ show a unit rate or explain how the item is priced?

This becomes especially important if quantities change during execution.

4. Variation & Revision Rule

What happens when the design or quantity changes?

Changes should be documented through a BOQ revision or variation—not handled only through verbal discussion.

A clear revision process protects both the homeowner and the interior company.

Lump-Sum Quotation vs. Itemized BOQ

A lump-sum quotation may appear simpler initially:

“Complete Interior: ৳XX lakh.”

But simplicity at the beginning can create confusion during execution.

If the homeowner later changes the countertop, adds a wardrobe or removes a ceiling feature, there is no transparent baseline for calculating the difference.

An itemized BOQ creates that baseline.

It allows both sides to identify:

Original Scope → Requested Change → Cost Difference

That is why transparency is more important than receiving the shortest quotation.

What Should You Prepare Before Requesting an Interior BOQ?

The more information an interior firm receives before preparing the quotation, the more useful the initial BOQ can become.

Before consultation, try to have:

• apartment floor plan
• approximate handover condition
• number of family members
• furniture you want to reuse
• preferred interior style
• kitchen requirements
• storage requirements
• target completion timeline
• realistic investment range

You do not need to know every finish or brand in advance.

Those decisions can be developed during the design process.

But understanding the project scope early prevents unnecessary quotation revisions later.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a 1,200 sqft flat interior cost in Dhaka?

There is no responsible fixed answer based on floor area alone.

The final cost depends on whether the flat is new or being renovated, how much custom furniture is required, kitchen specifications, flooring, electrical work, ceiling design, materials and overall execution scope.

The most reliable way to determine the cost is to prepare the layout and specifications first, then develop an itemized BOQ.

Does a BOQ include furniture?

It can, but not always.

Some quotations cover only civil, electrical and finishing work, while others include complete furniture and furnishings.

Always confirm what is inside the quoted scope before comparing two BOQs.

Is a BOQ the same as a quotation?

Not exactly.

The BOQ is the detailed quantity and specification breakdown.

The quotation uses those quantities, specifications and rates to calculate the project’s commercial value.

A strong quotation should therefore be supported by a clear BOQ.

Why can two 1,200 sqft flats receive different quotations?

Because square footage does not reflect:

• existing condition
• material quality
• furniture quantity
• kitchen specification
• layout changes
• electrical requirements
• flooring requirements
• finishing level

Two equal-sized flats can therefore require very different scopes of work.

Can the BOQ change after execution starts?

Yes.

But the change should be documented.

If the homeowner changes a material, adds an item or modifies the design, the revised quantity and cost should be recorded formally rather than handled only through verbal approval.

How much contingency should I keep?

The appropriate contingency depends on the condition and complexity of the project.

Renovation projects generally carry more uncertainty than newly handed-over flats because concealed electrical, plumbing or surface issues may only become visible after dismantling begins.

The contingency provision should always be clearly stated in the BOQ or project terms.

Don’t Compare Only the Final Number

When homeowners receive multiple interior quotations, it is tempting to compare only:

Company A — ৳XX lakh
Company B — ৳XX lakh
Company C — ৳XX lakh

But the lowest number does not automatically represent the best value.

Compare:

Scope.
Quantity.
Material specification.
Hardware.
Furniture.
Execution details.
Variation terms.

A transparent BOQ makes those differences visible.

And once those differences are visible, you can make a much more informed decision about where your interior budget is actually going.

Planning the interior of a 1,200 sqft flat in Dhaka?

Contact RDS Interior for a residential interior consultation and an itemized BOQ developed around your actual apartment layout, site condition, requirements and material preferences.

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