The fastest way to compare kitchen quotes is to stop looking at the total. Break each one into carcass, shutters, hardware, counter, accessories and installation. Two quotes can both say ₹3 lakh while specifying completely different plywood and drawer systems.
The quick cost table
| Kitchen | Laminate | Acrylic / PU |
|---|---|---|
| Compact L-shape | ₹1.6–2.2 lakh | ₹2.2–3.0 lakh |
| Standard 10–12 rft | ₹2.2–3.2 lakh | ₹3.0–4.2 lakh |
| Large parallel / U | ₹3.0–4.4 lakh | ₹4.2–6.0 lakh |
These ranges cover modular carcasses, shutters, normal drawers, hinges and installation. Counters, appliances, plumbing shifts and extensive electrical work are usually separate.
1. Carcass: the part that decides lifespan
The carcass is the box behind the shutter. Use BWP plywood below the sink and around water; BWR plywood is suitable elsewhere. A cheaper MDF or particle-board carcass can save 15–25%, but swelling after a plumbing leak often makes that saving false economy.
Ask for brand, thickness and grade in writing. ‘Marine finish’ is a sales phrase, not a material specification.
2. Shutters: the part you see
Laminate is the value benchmark: durable, easy to replace and available in hundreds of matte textures. Acrylic adds a mirror-like gloss but shows fingerprints. PU paint allows exact colours and fluted profiles; it costs more and needs skilled finishing. The shutter choice can move a standard kitchen by ₹60,000–1.5 lakh without changing storage.
3. Hardware, accessories and counters
Soft-close hinges and drawer channels should have a named brand and load rating. Bottle pull-outs and corner units are useful only when they solve a real problem; filling every cabinet with mechanisms can add ₹75,000 quickly. Granite remains the best value counter in Mumbai. Quartz looks cleaner and offers more colours, but usually adds ₹35,000–80,000.
How to save without weakening the kitchen
- Use laminate shutters and spend on good drawer channels.
- Keep existing plumbing points if the layout works.
- Use drawers below the main counter and shelves in rarely used lofts.
- Buy chimney, hob and sink directly during a sale.
- Get an itemised quote, not a per-running-foot promise.
See Eminence Living’s modular kitchen service for layouts, finishes and local build times.
Prices are planning ranges for Mumbai in 2026, not quotations. Measurements, materials and site conditions decide the final number.
