You can expect a bespoke wardrobe to cost anywhere from £1,000 to £10,000+ depending on size, materials, complexity and fittings; factors such as site access and finishes affect the final quote, and hidden costs or poor installation can be costly, while a well-designed wardrobe can increase your home’s value and deliver tailored storage that saves… How Much Does a Bespoke Wardrobe Cost?
You can expect a bespoke wardrobe to cost anywhere from £1,000 to £10,000+ depending on size, materials, complexity and fittings; factors such as site access and finishes affect the final quote, and hidden costs or poor installation can be costly, while a well-designed wardrobe can increase your home’s value and deliver tailored storage that saves space and time.
Factors Affecting Bespoke Wardrobe Costs
Costs swing dramatically depending on scale and detail: a basic fitted wardrobe usually sits between £1,000-£2,500, while a bespoke walk‑in with islands and lighting can reach £5,000-£15,000+. You’ll pay for materials, labour (often 30-50% of the total), design fees and installation complexity; narrow access or structural alterations commonly add several hundred pounds to the bill.
- Materials
- Size & complexity
- Internal fittings
- Finishes
- Designer experience
- Installation access
Materials Used
You’ll find MDF/melamine at about £20-£60/m², veneered plywood around £50-£120/m² and solid hardwoods such as oak from £150-£400/m²; glass, lighting and bespoke metalwork push costs higher. Hardware varies too: soft‑close hinges £6-£40 each and premium runners £15-£100, so material choices directly shape both upfront price and long‑term durability.
Craftsmanship and Designer Experience
An experienced designer or master joiner typically commands a 20-40% premium; design fees commonly range £300-£3,000 and labour rates sit around £25-£60/hr. Higher skill reduces waste and rework – a complex fitted installation can take 40-120 hours depending on expertise, so you often save money by investing in quality craftspersonship.
For example, a London job paid a design fee of £1,800 and joiner time at £45/hr, resulting in a complete fitted wall with lighting and soft‑close fittings totalling £8,500, with lead times of 4-12 weeks. Perceiving the premium for expertise helps you decide whether to prioritise longevity, warranty or upfront savings.
Price Ranges for Bespoke Wardrobes
Across the market bespoke wardrobes typically sit between £800 and £20,000 depending on size, materials and fittings. You can expect a small melamine-lined 2‑metre run from about £900, while full-height solid oak suites with integrated lighting and mirrored doors often exceed £8,000-£15,000. Install complexity and site preparation (uneven walls, rewiring) push prices up. Lead times range from 2-12 weeks, and you should factor in any building work costs.
Entry-Level Options
At entry level you’ll find MDF or melamine finishes, simple hinged doors and basic hanging/drawer layouts; prices commonly start at £800-£3,000 for a typical bedroom run. A 2‑metre system in laminated board can cost about £950 installed, with common lead times of 2-4 weeks. Be aware lower-grade MDF can sag or delaminate in humid spaces, so plan ventilation and use wall fixings rated for the load.
Luxury Customisations
Luxury customisations add veneers, solid timber, hand-painted finishes, brass hardware, integrated LED lighting, glass shelving, and motorised rails; these extras typically add £2,000-£15,000+ to the base price. For example, a walnut fitted wardrobe with soft‑close drawers, LED strips and concealed drawers might cost around £10,000. Pay attention to structural fixings and electrical work to avoid safety risks.
Further, you should expect skilled joinery to account for roughly 30-50% of the total cost; a 4‑metre full-height oak scheme with mirrored sliding doors, recessed LED lighting and motorised hanging rails commonly falls between £12,000-£25,000. Lead times extend to 8-14 weeks, and electricians or plastering may be needed, typically adding £300-£1,500-so insist on warranties and professional installation to reduce the risk of improper fixing.
Understanding Tailoring Techniques
Different construction methods directly affect what you pay, how long delivery takes and how long the piece lasts; for example, labour-heavy processes often raise cost by 30-70% and extend lead time from a few weeks to 6-12 weeks. You should weigh durability against budget: a hand-finished joint or hand-stitched lining offers greater longevity and easier repair, while factory-made alternatives cut price and turnaround but can mean more frequent replacement.
Hand-stitched vs. Machine-made
Hand-stitching, as seen on Savile Row jackets that can take 50-80 hours, gives you flexibility, finer shaping and longevity; machine-made pieces often require 3-8 hours and reduce cost by 30-70%. You will get superior resilience from handwork-under heavy strain machine seams are more likely to split-but if you need speed and a lower budget, high-quality machine construction can be a sensible compromise.
Bespoke vs. Made-to-Measure
Bespoke is built from a block or pattern created for you with multiple fittings, while made-to-measure alters a standard pattern to your measurements; bespoke typically commands a premium-often 30-100% more-and longer lead times (6-12 weeks vs 2-4 weeks), but gives the closest fit and more personalisation choices.
For real-world context, a Savile Row bespoke suit might cost £3,000-£12,000 with dozens of hand processes, whereas made-to-measure high-street options sit around £300-£1,200. Translating this to wardrobes, expect fully bespoke joinery and finishes to range roughly £2,000-£10,000, while made-to-measure systems commonly cost £800-£3,000, so your choice directly drives both fit and long-term value.
Additional Costs Involved
When budgeting you should allow for extras beyond the base quotation: removal of existing units (£50-£250), plastering or snagging after installation (£150-£600), and any electrical work for lighting (£80-£350). Small jobs can add 10-30% to the final bill, while unexpected building work-joist repairs or rerouting services-can push costs into the thousands; always get a site survey and written estimate before committing.
Accessories and Finishing Touches
You can personalise with handles (£3-£20 each), soft‑close mechanisms (£10-£40 per hinge), and LED strip lighting (£30-£250), while mirrored doors or inset glass typically add £150-£600. Built‑in organisers-shoe racks or jewellery trays-range from £50 to £600 depending on materials. Be aware that bespoke veneers and specialist finishes carry a premium, and any electrical additions should be completed by a qualified electrician to avoid safety and warranty issues.
Maintenance and Alteration
Plan for ongoing upkeep: annual checks and minor adjustments commonly cost £75-£150, hinge or runner replacements £20-£80 each, and re‑finishing or repainting a wardrobe can be £150-£800. Alterations such as adding drawers, moving rails or resizing openings typically range from £120 to £1,200 depending on complexity. Note that DIY modifications can void your warranty and risk structural damage, so use approved contractors.
In practice, homeowners often set aside 5-10% of the initial cost for maintenance and future tweaks; a Bristol client paid £350 to retrofit internal drawers and £220 to add LED lighting three years after installation, while a London flat required a £600 base repair after moisture damage. You should ask for warranties (many bespoke makers offer 5-10 year cover) and consider a service agreement to extend the lifespan and protect your investment.
Budgeting for a Bespoke Wardrobe
You should allow for design fees, materials, labour and installation; typical projects range from £1,500 for a single built‑in to £10,000+ for walk‑in systems, with bespoke wardrobes commonly charged per linear metre. Recognizing that finishes, internal fittings and site access issues can add 10-30% to the estimate.
Setting a Realistic Budget
Break down costs into carcass, doors, hardware, internal fittings, installation and contingency; you might allocate about 40% to materials and 30% to labour, and always request itemised quotes to compare. Recognizing that unexpected structural alterations or rewiring increase the bill far more than cosmetic changes.
- materials
- labour
- installation
- contingency
- structural alterations
Cost-saving Tips
Choose standard heights, limit bespoke drawers, or fit ready‑made carcasses with bespoke doors to cut costs; swapping solid wood for veneered MDF or laminate can reduce material spend by roughly 30%. Recognizing that scheduling work off‑peak and securing a fixed‑price quote reduces the chance of surprise charges.
You can lower labour by grouping rooms into a single install, source hardware online to save £50-£200 per wardrobe, or replace doors only – typically about 40% of full replacement cost – while retaining warranties for finishes. Recognizing that one customer saved £1,200 by choosing modular units and bulk‑ordering handles.
- modular units
- hardware
- bulk ordering
- fixed‑price quote
Real-Life Examples and Testimonials
Cost Breakdown from Clients
For example, you might pay £3,600 for a 4m oak wardrobe in London: materials £1,800, labour £800, hardware £300, design fee £300 and VAT £400; another client in Manchester spent £1,250 for a 2m laminate build with installation included. On average bespoke wardrobes range from £1,200 to £8,000 depending on size and finish, and hidden costs such as removal of old units can add 10-20%.
Designer Insights and Recommendations
A designer will often tell you to set aside 10-15% of your budget for extras and to prioritise structural quality: for example, spend an extra £300-£600 on a solid carcass to avoid warping. Choose melamine carcasses with veneered doors to save about 15% without losing appearance. If you want soft-close drawers plan for £50-£120 per drawer; avoid low-grade plywood that can warp and invest in good runners for longevity.
When you weigh options consider lifespan: a solid-wood wardrobe typically lasts 20-30 years but costs 20-30% more; one client paid £4,200 for oak and the unit was still performing after 18 years. Expect lead times of 4-12 weeks and site charges of £50-£250 for restricted access. Prioritise internal fittings and warranties, and get at least three quotes so you can compare aftercare and true value.
Final Words
Upon reflecting you should expect bespoke wardrobe costs to vary widely depending on size, materials, internal fittings, complexity of design and installation; a simple single run might cost a few hundred to a few thousand pounds, while larger, premium timber or fully customised systems commonly reach several thousand. Factor in lifetime durability, storage efficiency and resale value when assessing what you should invest to meet your needs.
FAQ
Q: How much does a bespoke wardrobe typically cost?
A: A small bespoke fitted wardrobe for an alcove or single-door run commonly costs between £600 and £1,500. A standard built-in run (around 2-4 metres) typically falls between £1,500 and £5,000. Larger bespoke walls, walk-in wardrobes or high-end designer installations can range from £5,000 to £15,000 or more depending on complexity and finishes.
Q: What are the main factors that affect the price?
A: Price is driven by size and the linear metres of run, material choice (MDF, plywood, veneered or solid timber), door type (sliding, hinged, pocket), internal fittings (drawers, shoe racks, shelving systems), bespoke features (island units, integrated lighting, mirrored doors), complexity of installation (removal of walls, awkward alcoves), site location and access, and the maker’s labour rates and reputation.
Q: How do materials and finishes change the cost?
A: Basic MDF with a laminate finish is the most economical option, plywood or veneered carcasses are mid-range, and solid timber or hand-painted lacquer are premium. Mirrored or glass doors, bespoke veneers and sprayed lacquer finishes add substantially to cost. As a guide, premium finishes and materials can double or triple the price compared with standard laminated options; individual items such as mirrored doors or bespoke veneered panels often add hundreds of pounds each.
Q: Are there additional costs beyond the wardrobe unit price?
A: Yes. Expect to budget for installation and delivery (£200-£1,000 depending on complexity), electrical work for lighting or sockets (£150-£500), plastering and decorating after installation, removal and disposal of existing furniture, design or survey fees if charged separately (£100-£500), and VAT at 20% unless a reduced rate applies. Structural alterations or building work will increase costs further.
Q: How can I get an accurate quote and reduce the final cost?
A: Obtain at least three detailed written quotations from reputable makers or installers that include drawings, materials, lead times and VAT. Provide accurate measurements or arrange a professional site survey. To reduce cost, choose standard sizes and finishes, opt for high-quality laminate or veneered plywood rather than solid timber, limit bespoke joinery details, select efficient internal fittings, and schedule work in quieter periods. Ask for a fixed-price contract and check warranties and aftercare to avoid unforeseen charges.
