“Wardrobe” covers everything from a £90 two-door budget unit to a wall-to-wall modular system. Assembly difficulty tracks that range almost exactly, so the right question isn’t “can I build a wardrobe?” but “which kind is mine?”

Hinged-door wardrobes: the manageable kind

Two or three doors, fixed shelves, maybe a drawer at the bottom — BRIMNES, SONGESAND, and most non-IKEA budget wardrobes. A patient DIYer (ideally two) gets this done in 2–4 hours. What matters:

  • Build it square. Check the diagonals before the back goes on; hinged doors telegraph every degree of skew as an ugly gap.
  • Hinges are adjustable. Doors slightly off after hanging aren’t a disaster — modern hinges adjust in three axes with a screwdriver.
  • Anchor it. Every tall wardrobe, every time. See the FAQ below — this is a safety item, not a preference.

Typical professional cost: £60–£130 (indicative — our cost guide covers what moves it).

Sliding-door wardrobes: precision required

Sliding doors change the game. The top and bottom rails must be level, parallel and square to fine tolerances, or the doors judder, derail, or drift open on their own. There is far less adjustment slack than with hinges, and mirror-glass doors are heavy and unforgiving to fit alone.

This is the wardrobe type with the biggest DIY regret rate, and where professional quotes (typically £180–£300 for a double sliding unit, indicative) are most obviously earning their money.

Modular systems: a half-day of methodical work

PAX and its competitors are less “a wardrobe” than a small construction project: multiple frames joined and levelled, interiors (each drawer its own build), doors, and mandatory anchoring. Nothing individually is difficult; the challenge is volume, sequencing and squareness compounding across frames. Our dedicated PAX guide covers costs and preparation in detail.

Whichever type: preparation is the same

  • Empty the destination wall, decide skirting-board treatment (over or scribed around), and know your wall type for fixings.
  • Check ceiling height against the tilt-up clearance (FAQ below).
  • Count boxes against the delivery note before assembly day — modular wardrobes arrive as many boxes, and one missing frame side stalls everything.

Hiring it out

Give the width, door type and interior count in your enquiry and you’ll get accurate quotes first time. Request quotes — or if you’re weighing up doing it yourself, our honest DIY vs professional comparison is the place to start.

Frequently asked questions

Why do wardrobes have to be anchored to the wall?

A tall wardrobe is heavy, top-heavy once doors go on, and lethal if it tips — furniture tip-overs injure thousands of children a year, which is why every manufacturer’s instructions require anchoring. It is not optional, and a professional assembler will treat it as standard.

Can one person assemble a wardrobe alone?

Small two-door hinged wardrobes, just about. Anything with a frame over 180cm tall, sliding doors, or a mirror really needs two people — panels are heavy and awkward, and standing a built frame upright alone is how side panels crack and backs pop off.

How much clearance do I need to tilt a wardrobe upright?

Roughly the diagonal of the side panel — for a 236cm IKEA PAX frame that means about 240cm of ceiling height. In lower rooms, frames are built standing up piece by piece instead, which is slower but routine for experienced assemblers.

Prices and timings on this page are indicative, based on typical quotes we see across the UK. Your job may cost more or less — the only way to know is to get quotes for your specific items and location. This site earns a fee when we pass enquiries to assembly firms; this never changes what you pay.