Rules the front desk runs on

Places where the files don't settle a question. The system doesn't guess: it sends these enquiries to NEEDS REVIEW or notes them in the handoff.

# What makes an enquiry worth a designer's time

*Written by Nikhil Deshpande. This is my rubric — use this to decide.*

An enquiry reaches a designer when it passes all five criteria below. If any one is unclear, ask one direct question. If it fails one, close gracefully — don't forward an incomplete lead.

## The five criteria

### 1. Real project — not just advice
The person wants design and execution, not a consultation or a second opinion. Red flags: "just looking for ideas," "can you come and advise," "I'll do the execution myself." Our minimum engagement is a room redesign with full execution.

### 2. In our service area
Pune city or PCMC. If the site is in Talegaon, Nashik, Mumbai, or anywhere outside our area — decline politely. We don't have the vendor network outside Pune.

### 3. Realistic timeline
The site must be available for execution within 8–10 weeks of the consultation. If someone needs it done in 3 weeks, we cannot serve them well. Ask: "When would you need the project complete?" — if the answer makes execution impossible, say so honestly.

### 4. Right budget band (broadly)
Don't quote. Don't probe. But if a caller volunteers a number that is clearly below what any project of their described scope would cost — for example, ₹1–1.5 lakh for a full flat redesign — address the misalignment on the call. It's kinder than discovering it at consultation. If budget is not mentioned, treat as qualified.

### 5. Decision-maker on the call (or represented)
The person should be the one who decides, or calling on behalf of someone who has authorised them to move forward. "My spouse wants to do this but they're not available" is fine if the caller confirms they're authorised. "I'm just doing initial research for my in-laws" is not sufficient on its own.

## At the boundary

- **Unclear on 1, 2, or 3**: ask one direct question.
- **Unclear on 4 or 5**: do not push. Treat as qualified and note the uncertainty in the handoff note.
- **Two or more criteria fail**: decline gracefully. "This sounds like it may not be the right fit for us right now — but feel free to reach out if your timeline or scope changes."

## What does NOT disqualify

- Not knowing exactly what they want (that's the consultation's job)
- Calling outside office hours (answer, qualify, book)
- Asking for pricing (deflect, but do not disqualify)
- Being uncertain about materials, style, or layout
- A single room project (one room with full execution is fine)
- A rented apartment (fine, as long as no structural changes)

## The question I get asked most

*"What if the budget doesn't match but they haven't said so?"*

Don't probe. If they volunteer a number that clearly fails, note it and do not forward. If they don't mention budget, forward the lead. The designer establishes fit at the consultation. Your job is to catch obvious misalignments — not to pre-qualify every variable the designer can handle in person.

# Aangan Studio — Services

## What we do

Aangan Studio offers end-to-end interior design for residential and small commercial spaces across Pune and PCMC.

Our services cover:
- Space planning and layout optimisation
- Material selection (flooring, wall finishes, ceilings)
- Furniture design and curation (custom + sourced)
- Lighting design and specification
- Kitchen and wardrobe design
- Execution supervision — we work with our own network of contractors and vendors

**Residential projects**: apartments, independent houses, villas — full home, specific floors, or individual rooms where the scope is a complete redesign with execution.

**Commercial projects**: offices, clinics, studios — up to approximately 3,000 sq ft. We do not take on retail or hospitality (restaurants, hotels) as primary projects.

## What we don't do

- **Architecture and structural work**: we are interior designers, not architects. We do not move walls, modify the building structure, or handle permits for structural changes.
- **Decor and styling only**: if you want someone to advise on colours or rearrange furniture, we are not the right fit. Our minimum engagement is a room redesign with execution.
- **Standalone furniture sourcing**: we do not source or procure furniture without an associated design project.
- **Vastu consultation only**: we incorporate Vastu requirements into our designs; we do not offer standalone Vastu advisory.
- **Restaurants, hotels, retail stores, gyms**: out of scope.
- **Projects outside our service area**: we serve Pune city and PCMC. Projects in other cities are not something we take on currently.

## Service area

Pune city (including Kothrud, Baner, Aundh, Wakad, Koregaon Park, Kalyani Nagar, Viman Nagar, Hadapsar, Magarpatta, NIBM, Kondhwa, Undri, Shivane, Warje, Erandwane, Deccan, and adjoining areas) and PCMC (Pimpri, Chinchwad, Pimple Saudagar, Pimple Nilakh, Ravet, Hinjewadi).

We do not currently serve Talegaon, Lonavala, Nashik, Mumbai, or other cities outside this area.

## Typical project scope

- **Full home**: 2BHK onwards. End-to-end design and execution.
- **Partial home**: a full floor, or 2+ rooms with execution.
- **Office**: up to ~3,000 sq ft. Includes workstations, cabins, reception, and common areas.
- **Single room**: bedroom or living room — complete redesign with all materials, furniture, and execution included. Not just advice.

## Timelines

- **Design phase**: 3–4 weeks from first consultation
- **Execution**: 8–16 weeks depending on project size and site readiness
- **Minimum lead time**: we cannot begin execution on a project that needs to be ready in under 6 weeks from today.

# Aangan Studio — Internal Pricing Guide

> ⚠️ **This guide is indicative only. Pricing varies by site, materials specification, and project complexity. No number from this guide should be quoted to a client. All pricing is confirmed by the assigned designer at the consultation.**

## Residential

| Project type | Indicative range |
|---|---|
| Standard specification | ₹1,800 – ₹2,400 per sq ft |
| Premium specification | ₹2,400 – ₹3,500 per sq ft |
| Luxury specification | ₹3,500+ per sq ft |

*Sq ft refers to carpet area of designed space, not built-up area.*

Single room redesign (all-in): ₹3.5 lakh – ₹8 lakh depending on room size and specification.

## Commercial (office / clinic / studio)

| Project type | Indicative range |
|---|---|
| Basic fitout | ₹1,200 – ₹1,800 per sq ft |
| Mid-range office | ₹1,800 – ₹2,800 per sq ft |
| Premium office | ₹2,800 – ₹4,000 per sq ft |

## What affects pricing

- **Site condition**: existing flooring or ceilings that can be retained reduce cost significantly
- **Custom furniture ratio**: more custom = higher cost; more sourced = variable
- **Material brands**: tile brands, fitting brands, wood grade — the spread across tiers is significant
- **Timeline compression**: fast-track execution carries a premium

## What the agent must never say

- Any specific number, range, or per-sq-ft figure
- "It'll cost around..."
- "Our rates start at..."
- "For a 2BHK it's typically..."

**The only acceptable response to a pricing question**: "Pricing depends on the site, the materials you choose, and the scope — your designer will walk you through it in detail at the consultation. I can book that for you right now if you'd like."