Getting the keys to a new flat is the easy part. The next 8–12 weeks decide whether your interiors go smoothly or become a loop of rework and blame. The single rule: work must happen in the right sequence — everything else follows.
Step 1 — Snag before you start (Week 0)
Before any interior work, check the builder's handover: seepage marks, hollow tiles (tap and listen), window alignment, drainage slope in bathrooms and balcony. Get these fixed under the builder's defect liability — free now, expensive later.
Step 2 — Civil and plumbing changes (Weeks 1–2)
Breaking or building anything — kitchen platform changes, bathroom layout shifts, new niches — happens first, along with any plumbing rerouting. Society permissions and debris-removal charges apply, so plan these before the labour arrives.
Step 3 — Electrical and AC piping (Weeks 2–3)
Finalise where every appliance, light and switchboard goes before the false ceiling. Copper piping for split ACs, extra points for the kitchen chimney, geysers, and a spare conduit to the TV wall save you surface wiring forever.
Step 4 — False ceiling and painting base coats (Weeks 3–5)
Ceiling grids close in the wiring, then walls get putty and primer. Choose ceiling light positions from a furniture layout, not a symmetric grid — lights should serve the sofa, bed and dining table.
Step 5 — Modular kitchen and wardrobes (Weeks 5–8)
Factory-made modules get installed once site dust work ends. Measure after tiling and ceiling, never from the builder's drawing — a 20 mm difference ruins a modular fit.
Step 6 — Final paint, deep clean, soft furnishing (Weeks 8–10)
Last coat of paint after all carpentry, then professional deep cleaning, then curtains, lights, and furniture. Keep 10% of every vendor's payment until snag items are closed.
Frequently asked questions
How long do interiors take for a new 2 BHK flat?
8–12 weeks for a full interior with modular kitchen and wardrobes. Add 2–3 weeks if civil changes or the festival season are involved.
What should I check before starting interior work in a new flat?
Seepage, hollow tiles, window operation, bathroom drainage slope and electrical earthing — and get builder-liability defects fixed before your own work begins.
What is the right sequence of interior work?
Civil and plumbing → electrical and AC piping → false ceiling → painting base → modular furniture → final paint and soft furnishings. Doing paint or furniture early guarantees rework.