How Much Does it Cost to Build a Wardrobe?

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Wardrobe? Wardrobe costs vary widely, from $1,000 for basic styles to $25,000+ for walk-ins. Factors include labor ($50-$120 per hour), materials ($200-$5,000), and customization.

The cost to build a wardrobe is highly variable, owing to the disparity in material pricing and build complexities. A basic wardrobe build may cost you around $1,000 (labour costs and materials included), while the high-end builds – usually referring to walk-ins – may cost upwards of $25,000.

Depending on your location, carpenters may charge around $50 – $120 per hour for a simple wardrobe installation. Expect to pay at the upper end for more complex designs like walk-ins and built-ins.

If you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford to pay the hourly labour, you might want to opt for a freestanding or flat-pack wardrobe.

Here’s a quick glance at the average wardrobe build costs per project in select cities:

Cities	Average Wardrobe Build Costs
Brisbane	$1,000 – $4,000
Sydney	$1,100 – $4,400
Adelaide	$1,200 – $4,500
Melbourne	$1,200 – $5,000
Perth	$1,300 – $8,000

Remember that these are merely approximates. Prices are bound to change based on the current material costs as well as the project’s complexity.

What are the Different Types of Wardrobe

There are many different types of wardrobes available to fit your space and style. With so many possibilities, deciding on your ideal design might prove challenging. In the list below, we’ve compiled the most common wardrobe types and their appropriate uses.

Wardrobe Cost

Different Type of Wardrobe	Estimated Cost
Classic Free Standing Wardrobe	$100 – $1,100
Flat Pack Wardrobe	$90 – $1,000
Built-in Wardrobe	$1,500 – $6,000
Walk-in Wardrobe	$10,000-$30,000

Classic Free Standing Wardrobe

The most basic type of wardrobe is the freestanding wardrobe. They are frequently made of wood, metal, and plastic. These wardrobes have been used for a long time, and if your home is retro-inspired, we recommend a wood or metal-free standing wardrobe.

They are traditional, low-cost, and timeless. You may easily purchase or build one yourself or enlist a handyman to help you. While a freestanding wardrobe offers excellent portability and cost savings, it’s not ideal for custom or irregular spaces.

Price range: $100 – $1,100

Flat Pack Wardrobe

A flat-pack wardrobe is usually sold unassembled in a flat box and must be assembled by the buyer. These unassembled wardrobes come in a broad range of designs, colours, materials, and sizes and are frequently less costly and easier to move than preassembled versions.

Flat packs are often packaged with full step-by-step installation instructions. Like the freestanding option, the flatpack doesn’t offer much in terms of customisation and space flexibility.

Price range: $90 – $1,000

Custom Built Wardrobe

If your bedroom has many odd nooks and crannies, you might think about getting a custom-built wardrobe. They can transform even the smallest corner of your bedroom into a highly functional storage area for your accessories and possessions.

They are also an excellent alternative if you do not want to compromise on any aspect of your wardrobe design, whether it is the number of shelves within the wardrobe or its overall aesthetic.

The cost of a custom wardrobe can be higher or less, depending on the amount of customisation, materials and wardrobe specifications.

Price range: $1,000-$5,000

Built-in Wardrobe

The Built-in wardrobe is a cut above the rest for many reasons. This design offers excellent storage without taking up more space since they are practically integrated into the room’s construction.

They may also be built in whatever way you choose, providing you with the optimal area to keep your belongings. Built-ins are great for people who want to organise their items for convenient access.

They are also ideal for children’s rooms since they help develop excellent organisation skills. The main downside of a built-in is that you cannot take it with you when you transfer to another home: that and the steep built-in wardrobe costs..

Price range: $1,500 – $6,000

Walk-in Wardrobe

When you have the luxury of space and budget, walk-in wardrobes are the easiest ways to elevate your bedroom to exquisite sophistication.

These closets have enough capacity to store all of your belongings, from shoes to jewellery and more. The combination of customizability and zen design lets you have a genuinely composed and breathable area you’ll want to spend more time in.

Walk-in wardrobes are typically the most expensive option since they require more intensive planning, design, and construction.

Price range: $10,000-$30,000

Wardrobe Installation Cost Influencing Factors

Materials

Materials for a wardrobe construction can range from $200 to $5,000 and significantly influence the job’s overall cost. Plywood, for example, is very affordable, making it ideal for people on a tight budget.

A plywood wardrobe may cost around $200 to $700. On the other hand, the cost of glass ranges from $1,000 to $3000, while Melamine is between $2,000 to $3,500. Hardwood is typically the most expensive, ranging from $4,500 to $6,000.

Labour

The cost of labour is one of the most critical factors in determining how much a wardrobe costs. If you choose a flat pack or free standing wardrobe, your labour costs will be significantly cheaper because the wardrobe needs only to be assembled.

However, if you have an irregular space or particular needs, the task will take more billing hours.

Location

Travel and call-out charges may have an impact on your carpenter’s cost. Expect to spend extra if the carpenter you choose is located outside of your immediate area. Similarly, the bigger the demand for carpenters, the higher the expenses.

Some cities, such as Canberra and Adelaide, have higher reported average hourly costs due to the larger population and higher demands.

The average hourly costs for professional carpenters are listed below.

Cities	Average Pay Per Hour
Sydney	$62
Melbourne	$65
Brisbane	$65
Adelaide	$75
Hobart	$65
Darwin	$70
Canberra	$80

The credentials and expertise of the carpenter are also crucial variables.

Accessories

There are numerous handy accessories that you may add to your storage if you want to arrange it better. You might want to upgrade your wardrobe with an additional drawer, a shoe rack, wardrobe sensor lights, etc. All of these factors add up to the final cost.

Complexity

Most carpenters will factor in complexity in their hourly fee, which is why extensive projects like walk-in wardrobes could cost you an approximate $160 per hour.

A walk-in wardrobe usually measures seven square metres. Wardrobes in premium and luxury residences, on the other hand, are significantly larger. A walk-in wardrobe construction typically costs around $100 to $150 per hour with the average homeowner spending $3500 for an eight square metres walk-in.

Where to Hire a Wardrobe Builder?

Finding a skilled carpenter to create your ideal wardrobe doesn’t have to be complicated; HIREtrades will help you get up to three free quotations from the best carpenters near you.

You may also post a job on HIREtrades if you have an existing wardrobe and want to know how much it costs to add new accessories or repair damages.

We recommend interviewing the Tradie after you get your three free quotes to learn more about their professional experience and gain access to references who can vouch for their quality.

Lastly, Tradies are a valuable source of information on finding local suppliers who can provide you with high-quality, low-cost materials so you can spend more on your wardrobe’s design and less on the materials.