Written by Micky Down, Micky's Property Services ·
Size and number of doors
The most obvious factor is simply how much wardrobe you need. A single run of doors along one wall costs less in materials and time than wardrobes wrapping around a corner or spanning an entire wall. More doors also mean more hinges, more handles and more hanging and fitting time, all of which add up. A pair of modest wardrobes either side of a chimney breast, a common layout in many bedrooms, is generally quicker to fit than one long run spanning a whole wall with several door sections.
Materials and door style
A basic painted MDF door finished on site looks quite different in cost terms from sliding mirrored doors or a more detailed panelled design. Carcass materials matter too, with better quality board holding up longer under the weight of clothes and regular use than the cheapest options.
Door style also affects fitting time. Sliding doors need accurate tracking and alignment, while hinged doors are generally quicker to fit but need enough clearance in front of the wardrobe to open fully. Mirrored doors add a layer of care during handling and fitting, since they are heavier and need to be set perfectly level to close and slide properly.
Internal fittings
What goes inside the wardrobe, hanging rails, shelves, drawer units, shoe racks, has its own cost on top of the carcass and doors. A simple rail and shelf costs less than a fully fitted interior with multiple drawer banks, so it is worth thinking about what storage you actually need before the quote stage rather than adding extras later. Drawer runners and soft close fittings are a further option worth discussing, since they add a noticeable cost but also a noticeable difference in day to day use.
Awkward rooms add time
Sloping ceilings, as found in many loft conversions and older cottage bedrooms, mean doors and panels have to be scribed and cut to follow the slope, which takes longer than fitting into a simple rectangular space. Out-of-square walls, common in older houses where the building has settled over the years, cause similar extra work, since nothing can be assumed to be a true right angle.
These factors do not necessarily make a job impossible or even especially difficult, but they do add time on site, and time is a large part of what you are paying for.
Removing old units and finishing touches
If there is an existing wardrobe, flatpack unit or built-in cupboard to take out first, that adds to the job, particularly if the wall behind needs making good afterwards. Painting or finishing the new wardrobe to match your woodwork is another variable, since a sprayed or hand-painted finish takes longer than leaving a factory finish as supplied.
New skirting fitted after an old wardrobe is removed can also affect the final fit of the carcass against the wall, so it is worth mentioning if this applies to your room when the quote is being worked out.
Moving sockets or light fittings to work around the new wardrobe, perhaps because a run of doors will cover an existing socket, is electrical work that needs factoring in separately if it applies to your room.
Why a home visit gives you a firm quote
With this many variables, any figure given without seeing the room is really just a guess. A home visit lets a carpenter measure the actual space, check for sloping ceilings or out-of-square walls, talk through door styles and internal fittings, and see what needs removing beforehand, all of which feed into a firm, accurate price rather than an estimate that might change once work starts.
If you are thinking about fitted wardrobes, our fitted wardrobes page covers what we offer, and the wider range of joinery work is on our carpentry page. Get in touch or call 07735 852901 to arrange a visit and a free quote.