You’ve measured the awkward alcove, scrolled through inspiration photos, and now the big question lands: how much does it cost to have a built-in wardrobe installed in the UK? The short answer: it varies, by size, finish, layout, and who builds it. The longer answer (with real numbers per linear metre, line-item drivers, and realistic scenarios) is below, so you can spec a fitted wardrobe that looks sharp, works hard, and lands within budget, without nasty surprises.
Typical Costs In The UK
Average Price Range
- Small fitted alcove wardrobe: £800–£1,800
- 2–3m run in a standard double bedroom: £1,800–£4,500
- 3–4m full-wall wardrobe with interiors: £2,800–£6,500
- Walk-in closet (convert a box room): £4,000–£12,000+
Those figures usually include supply and installation of the carcass, doors, and basic internals (rails/shelves). Extras, lighting, mirrored doors, premium veneers, loads of drawers, push the total up quickly.
Cost Per Linear Metre
- Flat-pack/modular systems (supply only): ~£250–£600 per linear metre
- Mid-range fitted by a specialist: ~£700–£1,200 per linear metre (installed)
- Bespoke joinery (made-to-measure, painted): ~£1,200–£2,500 per linear metre
Use linear metre pricing for early budgeting, then refine once you lock in door style, internals, and finishes.
Budget Vs Mid-Range Vs Premium
- Budget: Melamine/MFC carcass, slab doors, simple rails/shelves, no lighting. £800–£2,000 for small jobs.
- Mid-range: Shaker/Matt doors, decent internals (some drawers), soft-close hardware, maybe a mirrored panel. £2,000–£5,000 for a typical bedroom.
- Premium: Bespoke cabinetry, hand-painted or real wood veneer, full drawers/pull-outs, integrated LED lighting, mirrored or glass doors, custom cornice/skirting. £5,000–£12,000+ depending on scale.
What Drives The Price
Size, Layout, And Ceiling Height
More width = more materials and doors. Tall ceilings (2.6m+) mean longer doors and extra panels or a top box, which add labour. Corner units need clever joins and extra carcass panels. Scribing to uneven walls and ceilings (hello, old houses) adds fitting time.
Materials And Finishes
- MFC/melamine: most cost-effective and durable for carcasses.
- MDF (painted): popular for bespoke painted Shaker doors: more labour to prep and finish.
- Real wood veneer or solid wood: premium look, premium price.
- Hand-painted vs factory-sprayed: hand-painted onsite takes longer: sprayed gives a smoother finish and often costs more upfront but less on-site labour.
Doors: Hinged, Sliding, And Mirrored
- Hinged: usually cheapest: great access, requires swing clearance.
- Sliding: pricier mechanisms and tracks: good in tight rooms. Add ~£200–£400 per door vs basic hinged, depending on spec.
- Mirrored/glass: +£100–£250 per panel. Frameless or smoked glass ups the cost further.
Interior Fittings And Accessories
Drawers are the cost multipliers. As a rough guide:
- Soft-close drawer: £80–£150 each (supply), more with bespoke fronts/dividers.
- Pull-out trouser racks/tie racks: £60–£200 each.
- Shoe shelves/pull-outs: £30–£120 per shelf, £120–£250 for pull-outs.
- Adjustable shelving and double rails are inexpensive: maximise these to save.
Lighting, Power, And Smart Add-Ons
- LED strip or puck lights: £30–£60 per metre/fixture (supply) + transformer/driver.
- Electrician to wire, add a fused spur/switch: typically £150–£350 for simple setups.
- Motion sensors, smart switches, or integrated USBs add £50–£200+.
Site Prep, Access, And Complexity
Skimming walls, moving sockets, dealing with pipes, or removing old wardrobes adds time. Third-floor flats with no lift? Expect an access surcharge. Scribing neatly to picture rails, coving, or sloped ceilings means more joinery hours.
Custom-Built Vs Modular Systems
Modular (IKEA Pax, Spaceslide, etc.) is cost-effective but may leave gaps and infills. Custom/bespoke fits every millimetre, hides quirks, and allows any door style, but you’ll pay for design time, precision machining, and hand finishing.
Labour And Installation
Survey And Design Fees
Many fitted-wardrobe firms roll survey/design into the quote. Independent designers or joiners might charge £100–£300 for a measured survey and drawings, redeemable against the job. Complex CAD visuals or multiple revisions can add £100+.
Carpentry And Joinery Rates
- Carpenter/joiner day rate: £200–£350 outside London: £250–£450 in London/SE.
- Two-person team for faster installs on larger walls.
Installation timeframes:
- Simple alcove with hinged doors: 1–2 days.
- Full 3–4m run with internals and trims: 2–4 days.
- Walk-in fit-out with lots of drawers/lighting: 3–5 days.
Painting, Decorating, And Snagging
If units are hand-painted onsite, allow £150–£250 per day for a decorator, often 1–2 days depending on coats and drying times. Making good (filling, caulking, touch-ups) might add £100–£300.
Regional Price Differences
Expect 10–25% higher totals in London and the South East. Northern England, Wales, and parts of Scotland often come in 5–15% lower than the UK average. Remote/rural projects may add travel time.
Realistic Cost Scenarios
Alcove Wardrobe In A Victorian Terrace
- Scope: One alcove, ~1.2–1.4m wide, 2.6–2.8m high, hinged Shaker doors, hanging + shelf, painted finish, scribed to skirtings/cornice.
- Cost: £1,200–£2,200
Breakdown: materials £450–£800, doors/ironmongery £250–£500, labour 1–2 days £300–£700, painting £150–£250, sundries and making good £50–£100.
Full Wall Wardrobe With Sliding Doors
- Scope: 3.2m run, 2.4m high, three sliding doors (one mirrored), MFC interiors with double rails, 4 drawers, LED strip with sensor.
- Cost: £3,200–£5,800
Breakdown: carcass/interiors £1,200–£2,000, sliding doors/tracks £800–£1,600, drawers/accessories £300–£700, electrics £200–£350, labour 2–3 days £500–£1,000, finishing/misc £200–£350.
Walk-In Closet Conversion
- Scope: Small box room (2.0 × 2.4m) converted to U-shaped storage, mix of hanging, 10 drawers, shoe shelves, full LED strips, decorated.
- Cost: £5,500–£10,000+
Drivers: high drawer count, lighting, and three-wall cabinetry. Add more for premium veneers or glass fronts.
Small Box Room Fit-Out
- Scope: 1.8m wall unit with hinged doors, basic internals, no lighting, melamine finish.
- Cost: £1,400–£2,600
Saving tips: keep to standard heights, use more shelving, skip mirrored doors, and paint yourself if you’re confident.
Additional And Hidden Costs To Budget For
Rubbish Removal And Parking
Waste disposal: £80–£200 if not included. Old wardrobe removal can add £50–£150. In controlled zones, parking permits or pay-and-display for a van might be £10–£40 per day, check in advance to avoid delays.
Skirting, Flooring, And Making Good
If units run skirting-to-skirting, expect trimming and scribing. Replacing a section of skirting or trimming flooring can add £50–£200. If you’ve got new carpets or herringbone flooring, protect them: accidental repairs aren’t cheap.
Electrics And Building Control
New lighting or sockets should be done by a Part P-registered electrician. Simple add-ons rarely need Building Control. If you’re moving partitions for a walk-in or altering structure, consult Building Control and allow for fees (£100–£300+ depending on scope).
How To Plan And Save Without Cutting Corners
Prioritise Storage Over Fancy Finishes
Function first: double rails, adjustable shelves, and a sensible drawer count beat high-gloss doors you’ll smudge daily. Spend on hardware (hinges/runners) you can’t easily change later: you can always repaint doors down the line.
Mix Off-The-Shelf With Bespoke
A popular hybrid: use modular carcasses for the internals, then add bespoke doors and infill panels for a built-in look. You’ll save on hidden boxes and still get a wall-to-wall finish. Ask your joiner to tailor end panels, cornice, and plinths.
Schedule Around Other Renovations
Fit wardrobes after plastering and flooring but before final decorating. If you’re rewiring, get cables and spurs in place first to avoid rework. Protect finished floors: dust sheets are cheaper than repairs.
Get Like-For-Like Quotes
Provide the same drawing and spec to 2–3 suppliers: exact widths, heights, door style, finish, number of drawers, lighting, and handles. Ask for a line-item breakdown and lead time. If a quote is far cheaper, query what’s missing, backs? soft-close? painting?
Timeline, Warranties, And Aftercare
Lead Times And Installation Duration
- Modular systems: available immediately or within 1–3 weeks.
- Fitted specialists: survey to install usually 3–8 weeks, busier pre-Christmas.
- Bespoke joinery: 4–12 weeks fabrication, then 1–5 days onsite depending on complexity.
If you need it by a specific date, lock your slot with a deposit and confirm material availability before you sign.
Guarantees And Maintenance
Reputable firms offer 1–10 years on cabinetry and hardware. Painted finishes are often 1–3 years depending on wear. Keep receipts and care guides. For longevity:
- Wipe spills promptly: avoid harsh cleaners on paint and mirrors.
- Vacuum sliding tracks: tighten hinge screws annually.
- Replace tired gas struts or soft-close dampers rather than whole units.
If something snags post-install, flag it during the snagging period, most installers will return for minor adjustments.