This guide will help you choose the right fitted wardrobes, as well as you off the supply, labour, and installation costs as well as any other expenses associated with installing fitted wardrobes.
Fitted wardrobes are the perfect solution for maximising space, as they are typically fixed into a wall, with fitted bedroom wardrobes being the most popular option, although they are also a great storage solution for living room spaces.
Fitted wardrobes come in a variety of designs and shapes, so you are guaranteed to find something that fits with your décor.
This guide will help you choose the right fitted wardrobes, as well as you off the supply, labour, and installation costs as well as any other expenses associated with installing fitted wardrobes.
The average fitted wardrobe installation cost ranges from £580 to £2900, however, this price may increase if you opt for a custom-build fitted wardrobe with intricate designs and added extras.
The overall price will also depend on the type of wardrobes you choose – the most popular options being hinged and sliding.
The number of doors is also a significant factor, as 2-door wardrobes tend to cost much less than 6-door installations.
Other cost affecting factors include the size of the room, as well as the ease of access, as tradespeople may charge more if there is limited accessibility.
To help you understand the cost of different wardrobe types, take a look at the below prices.
Here is a price breakdown of the various costs for hinged fitted wardrobes.
| Number of Doors | Finish | Supply Cost | Overall Cost (including labour) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-door | Wood | £180 - £360 | £580 - £1160 |
| Glass | £220 - £260 | £620 - £1060 | |
| 3-door | Wood | £220 - £400 | £820 - £1400 |
| Glass | £360 - £520 | £960 - £1520 | |
| 4-door | Wood | £320 - £550 | £1120 - £1750 |
| Glass | £450 - £540 | £1250 - £1740 | |
| 5-door | Wood | £520 - £1080 | £1520 - £2480 |
| Glass | £900 - £1400 | £1900 - £2800 | |
| 6-door | Wood | £1120 - £1150 | £2320 - £2750 |
| Glass | £1000 - £1200 | £2200 - £2800 |
✔ Easier and quicker to install.
✔ Can use the back of the door to hang items if needed.
✔ Generally cheaper than sliding counterparts.
✖ Less aesthetic than sliding doors counterparts.
✖ Doors swinging out means less bedroom space.
The below table sets out the different costs for fitting sliding wardrobes.
| Number of Doors | Finish | Supply Cost | Overall Cost (including labour) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-door | Wood | £290 - £720 | £690 - £1520 |
| Glass | £260 - £1200 | £660 - £1600 | |
| 3-door | Wood | £300 - £1500 | £900 - £2500 |
| Glass | £320 - £1600 | £920 - £2600 | |
| 4-door | Wood | £340 - £1600 | £1140 - £2800 |
| Glass | £380 - £1700 | £1180 - £2900 |
✔ Takes up less bedroom space.
✔ Very aesthetic.
✖ Can't use the space on the back of the door to hang items.
✖ Generally more expensive.
✖ Harder install.
If you plan on hiring a professional to install your fitted wardrobes, then it is essential that you understand the process.
Take a look at this step by step guide for installing fitted wardrobes in your home.
The first step involves deciding exactly where you want the wardrobes to be installed.
This could be on a bedroom wall or the corner of the living room.
Wherever you choose to have it, you need to make sure that the measurements are noted down to ensure the right materials are ordered.
Once the space has been determined, the tradesperson will then measure out the exact dimensions.
This will enable them to determine how large the installation will be in order to advise you on the right type of wardrobe.
The next step will involve selecting a wardrobe that works perfectly in your chosen room.
You may opt for a pre-built wardrobe, or if you have an awkward space that needs filling, you could choose a custom-built fitted wardrobe.
The latter option will involve the help of a carpenter who will build you a bespoke wardrobe with your chosen cupboards, drawers, compartments and more.
If you have purchased a flat pack wardrobe, then you can hire a tradesperson to install it for you.
To do this, they will follow the manufacturer's instructions word for word making sure that all the pieces fit together and are installed correctly.
This will, of course, vary depending on whether you choose hinged or sliding doors, as hinged doors take longer to install.
For bespoke fitted wardrobes, the carpenter will usually build the wardrobe off-site and then assemble it in your home, which will involve a similar process to a flat-pack wardrobe.
To ensure your fitted wardrobes look aesthetically pleasing, the tradesperson you hire will fit your chosen handles onto the wardrobe doors and drawers for easy access.
If you have chosen a wooden fitted wardrobe, then the doors may need to be sanded down to give it a smooth finish.
Along with installing fitted wardrobes, you may also want to consider additional decorating costs to complement your new storage.
This could include painting your walls, which generally costs around £300 to £500 for an entire room.
An alternative option is new wallpaper which typically is priced at £180 for a small room and up to £600 for a large space.
To enhance your space further, you could also hire someone to fit new flooring which can range anywhere from £100 to £200 for new carpet, £200 to £400 for vinyl flooring, £500 to £1500 for engineered wood flooring and £800 to £2500 for parquet flooring.
Installing DIY fitted wardrobes is typically a straightforward job. However, unless you have experience with carpentry, you should stick to installing flat-pack fitted wardrobes rather than manufacturing your own bespoke wardrobes.
If you do have experience building wardrobes, then it is possible for you to install wardrobes that fit perfectly in your space, as long as you measure and fit the wardrobes correctly.
There is nothing stopping you from fitting your own wardrobes, as there are no building regulations or planning permissions in place to prevent you from performing this take.
You also do not need to hire a contractor to sign the work off; however, hiring a contractor may be your best option if you have an awkward installation space.
One of the problems with building and fitting wardrobes is that if it is done wrong, it can actually be quite dangerous.
For instance, if you forget to put a screw in a specific place, the wardrobe may come loose and could actually fall on top of you or furnishings in your home – causing injury or damage.
Taking on the task yourself in comparison to hiring a professional will also force you to lower the quality of the work, as professionals tend to use high-quality materials, while also having years of experience behind them.
By not choosing the professional route, you could end up paying out for new wardrobes sooner than you'd expect, as they may not last as long as top-quality bespoke fitted wardrobes.
We have hundreds of homeowners each day checking the prices on YourJobCost before hiring a tradesperson. That way they've already got a good idea of how much they should be quoted.
You could hire a professional to remove your fitted wardrobes; however, if you wish to do it yourself, you should first protect your floor with a sheet to avoid any damage. You should also make sure you wear protective eyewear to prevent anything getting in your eyes.
Once you have protected yourself and floor, you can then dislodge the wardrobe from the wall.
To do this, you should place a crowbar behind the wardrobe and push it towards you until you start to see the nails and screws come away from the wardrobe.
Following this, you should take a screwdriver and remove any screws before moving the wardrobe onto a hand truck with the help of an assistant.
The average cost of fitted wardrobes will vary depending on the design you choose.
For example, hinged wardrobes range from £580 to £2800, while sliding fitted wardrobes are typically priced at £660 to £2900.
If you want to spruce up the look of old fitted wardrobes, then you may want to try painting over them.
If you want to match the walls, then you may want to use the same colour or something similar to create a seamless finish.
If you would prefer to create a contrasting aesthetic, then you should opt for a bright colour like yellow or blue to bring attention to your fitted wardrobes.
For a more artsy feel, you may want to try out some patterns to create a unique design that stands out.
When choosing a paint, it is essential that you select the right type of paint that Is compatible with the wardrobe material.
It would be best if you opted for a high-quality paint that is waterproof and long-lasting.
While it is usually advised to hire a professional carpenter to build and install fitted wardrobes, it is possible to make your fitted wardrobes.
To do this, you will need to measure the space precisely and choose materials that work well with your existing décor.
You should also make sure that you build the right size wardrobes and choose a balanced amount of doors and drawers to prevent overwhelming or underwhelming the space.
If you would prefer to purchase pre-built fitted wardrobes, then there are plenty of options available from Wickes, John Lewis, B&Q, Screwfix and more which all cater to various budgets and design preferences.
Before buying a pre-built fitted wardrobe, it is vital that you measure your space first and compare the dimensions with online products to make sure the wardrobe you choose is the right fit.
