If you’re weighing up a fitted wardrobe, you’re probably wondering what a realistic price looks like, without the sales fluff. The short answer: most UK homeowners spend somewhere between £1,800 and £6,000 for a standard run, with wide variation depending on size, finish, and whether it’s modular, semi-bespoke, or fully bespoke joinery. Below, you’ll find clear price ranges, what actually drives the cost, and how to get accurate quotes so you don’t overpay.
Typical Price Ranges In The UK
Entry-Level Modular Fitted Systems
These are pre-engineered carcasses in standard sizes that are scribed to your walls, often with limited customisation.
Typical spend: £900–£1,400 per metre: from around £1,200–£2,800 for a compact 1–2m alcove.
What you get: Melamine-faced carcasses, simple hanging and shelving, sliding or hinged doors in standard finishes.
Good for: Spare rooms, rentals, or when you want a built-in look without the fully bespoke price.
Mid-Range Semi-Bespoke
A step up in materials, flexibility, and styling, with custom widths/heights within set systems.
Typical spend: £1,400–£2,200 per metre: around £2,800–£5,500 for a 2–3m main bedroom run.
What you get: Wider finish choice (eg, matt/painted, woodgrains), better hardware, more tailored interiors (drawers, shoe racks).
Good for: Main bedrooms where you want longevity and a polished look without hand-made joinery pricing.
Fully Bespoke Joinery
Individually built to your exact space by a joiner or workshop, including awkward eaves or high ceilings.
Typical spend: £2,200–£4,000+ per metre: £5,000–£12,000+ for 2–3m, rising for complex layouts.
What you get: Made-to-measure carcasses and doors, premium veneers or spray-finished painted fronts, solid timber detailing, exact-fit to period quirks.
Good for: Character homes, non-standard spaces, or when finish quality and perfect fit are top priority.
Key Factors That Influence Cost
Size, Layout, And Ceiling Height
Width and height directly affect material and labour. Tall rooms (2.7m+) mean extra carcass height, more doors, and often a bolster or top box.
Corners, L-shapes, and returns add complexity: you’re paying for additional carcasses, infill panels, and scribing time.
Alcoves are cheaper than full-wall spans because you can use the recess, less frontage to build.
Materials, Finishes, And Door Types
Carcasses: MFC (melamine-faced chipboard) is most cost-effective: MR-MDF (moisture resistant) and plywood cost more.
Doors: Foil-wrapped or laminate are entry-level: spray-painted MDF (smooth, colour-matched) is mid/upper: real wood veneers or solid timber frames top the range.
Door style: Hinged is usually cheaper: quality sliding systems add £200–£600+ per linear metre depending on tracks and panels (mirrored, glass, or decorative).
Internal Storage Features And Hardware
Drawers, shoe pull-outs, belt/tie racks, and trouser rails add quickly, budget £90–£200 per drawer box fitted: £60–£250 each for specialist pull-outs.
Premium hardware (soft-close hinges, concealed runners) improves feel and lifespan but nudges cost up.
Lighting (LED strips, sensors) can add £150–£500+ depending on runs and whether a new feed is needed.
Access, Installation Complexity, And Preparation
Poor access (flats, tight staircases) adds time for carry-in or flat-pack assembly on site.
Walls and floors out of level mean more scribing and templating. Plaster repair, boxing-in, and skirting adjustments are extra.
If electrics need moving, factor an electrician’s visit: if flooring’s being replaced, sequencing matters to avoid rework.
Cost Breakdown And What’s Included
Design, Survey, And Drawings
Reputable firms include a site survey and design visuals in the price. For bespoke joinery, expect measured drawings and a finish schedule.
Some independent joiners charge a design fee (£100–£300) that’s credited if you proceed.
Carcasses, Front-Frame, And Doors
This is the bulk of the spend: materials, machining, edging, and finishing. Painted doors are sprayed in a booth (adds cost but looks crisp).
Front-frames and infills create a seamless, scribed look: cornice and plinth details are usually itemised in bespoke quotes.
Fitting, Trims, And Making Good
Installation often runs 1–3 days for modular or semi-bespoke: 3–6 days for full bespoke or complex eaves.
“Making good” varies: light caulking and minor touch-ups are often included: full plastering, decorating, or carpet refitting is usually not.
Disposal of offcuts/packaging may be included: full rubbish removal can be extra, always check.
Warranties And Aftercare
Many brands offer 5–10 years on hardware and manufacturing: bespoke joiners typically stand behind workmanship for 1–5 years.
Painted finishes may need occasional touch-ups: ask for leftover paint or a colour code for easy maintenance.
Regional Price Differences Across The UK
London And The South East
Labour and overheads are higher, so allow a 10–25% uplift versus national averages. Parking and congestion charges can also be passed through.
Lead times can be longer: popular workshops book out months ahead.
Major Cities Versus Rural Areas
Large cities (Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh) trend near the national mean, sometimes 5–10% below London.
Rural areas can go either way: lower labour rates, but fewer specialists may mean travel premiums or limited choice.
If you’re remote, expect extra for site visits and delivery.
Realistic Budget Examples By Size
Single Alcove Or 1–1.5 Metres
Modular: £1,200–£2,000 with a simple hanging/shelf layout.
Semi-bespoke: £1,800–£3,000 for nicer doors, a couple of drawers, and better hardware.
Bespoke: £2,800–£4,500+ if colour-matched painted doors and detailed scribing are required.
Standard 2–3 Metres Run
Modular: £1,800–£3,800 depending on door choice (hinged vs sliding) and interiors.
Semi-bespoke: £2,800–£5,500 for a balanced spec, painted or premium laminate doors, 4–8 drawers, and mixed hanging.
Bespoke: £5,000–£12,000+ for hand-scribed cabinetry, premium finishes, and integrated cornice/plinth.
Large 3–5 Metres Or L-Shape
Modular: £3,000–£6,000, with sliding doors helping span long runs economically.
Semi-bespoke: £5,000–£9,000 for a family wardrobe wall with dedicated sections.
Bespoke: £8,000–£18,000+ where corners, tall ceilings, and tailored interiors increase labour.
Loft Eaves And Sloped Ceilings
Expect a premium for templating and angled doors/panels.
Modular is often unsuitable: semi-bespoke with custom infills: £3,500–£7,000 for a typical 2–3m eaves run.
Fully bespoke with access panels, drawers under slopes, and spray-finished doors: £6,000–£14,000+ depending on length and pitch.
Optional Extras And Hidden Costs To Watch
Lighting, Mirrors, And Power
LED strip or puck lighting with door sensors: £150–£500+. Mirror panels or bevelled mirrors on doors: £120–£300 per door.
If there’s no nearby spur, allow an electrician visit (£120–£300) to add a fused connection or sockets.
Painting, Decorating, And Flooring
Sprayed finishes are part of the wardrobe cost, but room redecorating isn’t. Budget £200–£600 for a decorator to make good walls/woodwork if needed.
New carpet or flooring? Fit wardrobes after flooring is down (or confirm plinth heights) to avoid rework.
Rubbish Removal, Parking, And Permits
Some firms include waste disposal: others charge £50–£150.
In cities, parking, permits, and congestion charges can add £15–£40 per day, small line items that add up.
How To Get Accurate Quotes And Save Money
Measure Properly And Define The Brief
Measure wall-to-wall width, floor-to-ceiling height at several points, and note skirting, coving, sockets, and radiators. Walls are rarely square, photos help.
Define what you’re storing (long dresses, suits, bulky jumpers, shoes) and prioritise: hanging vs drawers vs shelves. A clear brief prevents pricey mid-build changes.
Compare Like For Like Specifications
Ask each supplier to quote on the same drawing and spec: carcass material, door style and finish, number of drawers, hardware brand, lighting, cornice/plinth, and making good.
Request a line-item breakdown so you can see where the money goes and trim features, not quality.
Timing, Lead Times, And Payment Stages
Lead times: 2–8 weeks for modular/semi-bespoke: 6–12+ weeks for bespoke, especially around peak periods (spring/autumn).
Staged payments are normal: a deposit (20–50%), balance on completion. Avoid paying in full upfront.
If you can be flexible, off-peak installation or filling diary gaps can unlock small discounts.
Where It’s Safe To Cut Costs, And Where Not To
Safe to save: simplify interiors (fewer drawers), choose hinged over sliding, pick a standard paint colour/laminate, and reduce fancy pull-outs.
Don’t skimp on: carcass material stability, door construction, and hardware. Cheap hinges and runners fail first.
Consider a hybrid: bespoke doors on standard carcasses, or bespoke joinery only where the room is out of square.
A quick rule of thumb for budgeting: start with £1,400–£1,800 per metre for a solid mid-range result, add 10–20% in London/South East, and include a 10% contingency for electrics, making good, and small scope tweaks. Prices typically include VAT for consumer quotes, if not stated, ask explicitly.