Got the Keys to Your New Flat? What to Check Before Starting Your Interiors
You've got the keys! After years of EMIs, site visits and waiting for possession, you now own your flat. The first thing many people want to do is get started with their interiors.
However, from over 14 years of designing homes across Gurgaon, we know the first few weeks after handover are super important. Anything you find during this time that isn't right is the builder's job to fix. Anything you find after your wardrobes have been installed is yours to fix. Here's what you need to check, what to do first, and the most common mistakes we see.
In short: make sure everything is properly inspected, get the builder to fix any issues, then measure up. Always plan your electrical and plumbing changes first. Then add your furniture and styling.
New flat checklist:
Inspect the flat before signing your possession letter
Write your snag list and give it to the builder
Measure all your rooms, windows and walls
Plan your electrical, lighting and plumbing changes
Check your society's work timings and waste rules
Then start designing, and add your furniture last
What to check before accepting your keys
Grab a torch, a measuring tape, a bucket of water and a phone charger (for testing sockets), and start inspecting each room. Write down everything you find.
Area | What to check | Why? |
Walls and ceiling | Cracks, damp patches, uneven plaster and peeling paint | Any damp behind your wardrobe can damage it within one monsoon |
Bathroom and balcony | Pour water in to make sure it drains properly. Look for leaks below and into the next room | Poor slopes or leaks cost a lot to fix once tiles and vanities are in |
Plumbing | Turn on all taps and flush. Check water pressure and hot water lines | Leaks inside walls cause damp and swollen furniture later |
Electrical | Test all sockets and switches. Check the main board is labelled and earthed | Builder wiring is often minimal. You'll likely need extra points |
Doors and windows | Do they open, close and lock easily? Any gaps or broken glass? | Gaps let in dust and rain. The builder should fix these |
Flooring | Tap the tiles to check none sound hollow. Look for cracks, uneven joints and chipped edges | Hollow tiles can crack under heavy furniture |
Kitchen | Gas line, exhaust point, water inlet and drain | Your kitchen layout will need to fit around these |
Measurements | Room sizes against the floor plan | Plans aren't always exact. Your designer will need real measurements |
Note: give your snag list to the builder so they know what to fix. Keep a copy and ask when it will be fixed. Don't start any interior work until the key items are fixed.
What to do first after possession
Order matters. Many homes end up with cracked new tiles and ripped-out wardrobes because step 6 was done before step 3.
Fix the snags with the builder. Any leaks, cracks, hollow tiles or faulty fittings. This is their cost, and they should fix it.
Measure everything. All walls, windows, doors, beams and ceiling heights. Your designer will do this too, but it helps to know your own measurements so you can start thinking about furniture.
Decide how you'll live in your space. Who will use which rooms? Will you need a study, a mandir, extra storage for parents? Designing your home around how you'll actually live in it makes a huge difference.
Plan your electrical, lighting and plumbing. Where will your TV, bed, study table, geyser and washing machine go? This decides where your points go, and if you need to change anything later, you'll have to break walls.
Design your home. Layouts, 3D views, materials and finishes. Get everything approved.
Start the site work. Civil changes, electrical, false ceiling, flooring and painting.
Add your furniture. Wardrobes, kitchen and TV units go in once the messy work is complete, so nothing gets damaged.
If you're in a rush, a turnkey company can help you from step 2 onwards. We've written an easy guide explaining what turnkey interior design means.
Gurgaon-specific things to know
Every city has its quirks, and these are the ones we come across on almost every project in Gurgaon.
Societies
Most societies have set times for interior work. They may also limit how you use the service lift to bring in materials, and where you can put your waste. Some need you to inform them in writing or pay a deposit. Speak to your society office to find out their rules.
Structural changes
If you want to knock out a wall or combine two rooms, speak to your builder or society first. Load-bearing walls and columns can't be touched, and some changes need approval. A good designer will tell you what can be done.
Builder floors
You have more flexibility with an independent builder floor than with a high-rise apartment. However, there can be surprises, such as columns in the middle of walls, ceilings dropped by beams, and floor plans that don't match the brochure. This is where made-to-measure furniture helps.
Water
Water is often hard in Gurgaon, so plan for a water softener point. Use moisture-resistant boards in your kitchen and bathrooms, and make sure your balconies and bathrooms are waterproofed.
Common Myths and Mistakes
These are common, and avoiding them will save you time, money and hassle!
Myth 1: "It's brand new, so there won't be any issues"
A brand-new flat almost always has snags: leaky joints, hollow tiles and windows that won't close. This is normal and the builder should sort it out, but you need to find them before your interiors hide them.
Myth 2: "The builder's electrical points will be enough"
Usually they're the bare minimum. Think about where you'll actually place your TV, bedside lamps, study table, kitchen appliances and phone chargers. Otherwise you'll end up breaking new walls to add extra points.
Mistake 3: Buying furniture first
It can be tempting to order your sofa and bed, but you won't know the size and style you need until your layout, lighting and wall finishes are sorted. Furniture should be one of the last things you decide on.
Myth 4: "We'll just do one room now"
This can be done, but it usually costs more and takes longer. Doing site work like electrical, false ceiling and painting in one go saves money and gives a neater finish. If you're on a tight budget, design your entire home now and do your furniture in phases.
Mistake 5: Skipping waterproofing
Bathrooms and balconies look great on day one. But if they aren't waterproofed properly, you'll end up with leaks a year later, often in your neighbour's ceiling or behind your new wardrobe.
Myth 6: "Small flats don't need a designer"
Small flats need the most planning. A well-designed layout and made-to-measure furniture can make your 2BHK feel much larger.
New Flat Interiors with MWM Spaces
We've designed and built homes throughout Gurgaon for over 14 years, from builder floors at M3M Soulitude (Sector 89) to apartments at DLF Phase 3 and BPTP Mansion. We always start with a proper site visit and measurements, plan your electrical and plumbing around how you'll live in your home, and build your furniture in our own factory in Gurugram.
If you've just received your keys, speak to our residential interior designers in Gurgaon or take a look at our completed projects.
Common Questions Asked by Customers
How soon after possession should I start my interiors?
As soon as the builder has fixed the snags. Use the first few weeks to inspect, measure and plan. Starting your design early means site work can begin as soon as your flat is ready.
Should I fix the snags before starting my interiors?
Yes. Once your wardrobes, false ceiling and tiles are in, it's much harder to get the builder to fix anything.
Do I need permission from my society before starting?
Most societies in Gurgaon need to be informed. Some may ask for a deposit or written permission. Speak to your society office to find out their work timings, lift use and waste rules.
Can I move in while my interiors are being done?
It can work for small jobs, but it's not ideal for a full home. It's hard to live with the dust, noise and people around, and the work also goes slower.
Should I decide on my furniture or layout first?
Layout. Once you know how you'll use each room and where your electrical points will go, it's much easier to choose your furniture.
Is it better to do everything in one go or one room at a time?
Site work like electrical, false ceiling and painting should be done in one go. Furniture can be done in phases.
Can I keep the builder's kitchen and wardrobes?
If they're in good condition and the layout works for you, yes. A designer can design new pieces to match, or suggest new shutters and finishes.
How do I know if I can knock out a wall?
Ask your builder or society for the structural drawings. Load-bearing walls and columns can't be removed, and your designer should confirm this before planning any changes.
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