How to Read a Fitted Wardrobe Quote: What Each Line Item Actually Means

Two quotes arrive for the same bedroom wardrobe. One is a single number with a brief description. The other is an itemised breakdown with separate lines for materials, labour, finishing, and delivery. You’d assume the second gives you more information — but unless you know what each line actually covers, it can be just as opaque as the first. And when one quote is notably lower than the other, the question isn’t just whether the supplier is cheaper. It’s what specifically is costing less, and why.

Reading a fitted wardrobe quote confidently requires understanding what the main cost components are and what they should include. A quote that groups everything together tells you very little. A quote that itemises but uses vague labels tells you only slightly more. This guide explains what to look for in each section of a fitted wardrobe quote, what questions the line items should prompt, and what meaningful differences between quotes usually come down to. Humphries Cabinets provides clear, itemised quotes as part of the design process — and this guide reflects the kind of transparency you should expect from any serious joinery company.

The materials section of a wardrobe quote covers the board, the hardware, and the paint. Board is the largest material cost, and it varies significantly depending on the type. MDF is common and workable, but different grades differ in density, weight, and how well they hold fixings over time. Moisture-resistant MDF is worth specifying for wardrobes in rooms with variable humidity. Some companies use a laminated chipboard carcass — cheaper to buy and lighter to handle, but less stable and harder to paint well. The quote should state what board type is being used, not just reference ‘quality materials.’

Hardware covers hinges, drawer runners, soft-close mechanisms, handles, and any specialist fittings like pull-down rail systems or internal lighting. This is one of the lines where significant cost differences between quotes often hide. A cheap drawer runner might look identical to a quality feather-glide runner in a drawing, but you’ll feel the difference every morning. Ask specifically what brand or grade of runners and hinges are specified, and whether soft-close is included or an upgrade.

Paint is another variable that is frequently quoted as underspecified. The difference between a brush-applied undercoat with a single topcoat and a properly prepared, spray-finished, or hand-painted finish is visible for years. Some companies use trade-grade, low-VOC paints; others use whatever is cheapest. If the quote says ‘painted finish’ without further detail, ask what preparation is included, how many coats are applied, and whether the painting is done in the workshop, on-site, or both.

Labour covers the time spent designing, making, delivering, and installing your wardrobe. A quality bespoke fitted wardrobe is not a flat-pack assembly — it requires skilled carpentry from panel preparation through to finishing on site. The labour component in a legitimate quote reflects the time this actually takes. If the labour figure looks low relative to the scope of the project, it usually means one of three things: the making process is faster and simpler than bespoke implies, the installer is junior or subcontracted, or the estimate is optimistic, and you may see extras later.

Ask whether the quote includes a lead carpenter and a painter as separate team members, or whether one person does everything. At Humphries Cabinets, installation and painting are handled by the same skilled team, but the work is sequenced properly — carpentry first, proper finishing after. When a single person installs and paints in a single visit without adequate drying time, the finish reflects it.

Labour for any remedial work — filling gaps caused by uneven walls, scribing panels to irregular ceilings, building around pipes or radiators — should either be included or clearly excluded with an explanation. Uneven walls in period London properties are the norm rather than the exception. If the quote doesn’t mention how these are handled, ask directly. A company that’s worked extensively in Fulham’s Victorian and Edwardian housing stock will have a clear answer.

Some companies charge for the initial design consultation, the technical drawings, or both. Others — including Humphries Cabinets — include a free design visit and full 3D drawings as part of the process, with no charge unless you proceed. If a quote includes a design fee, understand what it covers. Does it include revisions? How many rounds of changes are included before additional fees apply? Is the fee refunded against the project cost if you go ahead?

The survey is the site visit where accurate measurements are taken. For a bespoke fitted wardrobe in a period property, this should be a thorough process — measuring at multiple heights, checking for walls that are not plumb, identifying pipes, cables, or structural elements that need to be worked around. A survey done in fifteen minutes with a tape measure is not the same as one done in forty-five minutes with a laser level and a detailed floor plan. If the quote references a survey, it’s worth understanding what that process actually involves.

Delivery and installation charges cover bringing the built components to your home and fitting them in place. For larger wardrobes — a full wall in a first-floor bedroom of a Victorian terrace, accessed via a narrow staircase with a turn — this is genuinely skilled labour, not just carrying boxes. Some quotes separate delivery and installation; others combine them. Either way, ask whether this figure includes clearing the room of packaging and waste at the end of the job, or whether disposal is extra.

Ask whether there’s a contingency or day rate for work that takes longer than estimated. In older properties, especially, things are rarely perfectly straightforward. A wall that looks flat turns out to have a significant bow. A ceiling runs at a slight angle. A pipe that doesn’t appear on any drawing turns out to be exactly where the top rail needs to go. A reputable company will either have built reasonable contingency into the estimate or will be transparent about what scenarios might require additional time.

Why do fitted wardrobe quotes vary so much between companies?
Because what they include varies significantly. Board type, hardware grade, paint finish quality, the labour time allocated for installation, and whether painting is included or a separate addition all affect the total. A lower quote often reflects a lower specification in one or more of these areas rather than the same product delivered more cheaply. Asking for itemised breakdowns from each company makes the comparison more useful.
What does 'carcass' mean in a wardrobe quote?
The carcass is the structural body of the wardrobe — the back panel, side panels, top, base, and any internal divisions. It's the skeleton that everything else is attached to. In a fitted wardrobe quote, carcass materials and carcass construction method (how the panels are joined) are among the most important quality indicators.
Should I be concerned if a quote doesn't include painting?
Yes — and you should understand exactly what's excluded. Some companies quote for the carpentry only and treat painting as a separate appointment and a separate cost. This isn't necessarily a problem, but it means the total project cost is higher than the initial quote suggests, and it's worth clarifying before you compare it against a quote that includes painting.
What does 'soft-close' mean and is it worth specifying?
Soft-close refers to a mechanism on drawer runners and door hinges that decelerates the movement in the final few centimetres of closing, preventing slamming. On quality wardrobe hardware, soft-close is typically standard. On cheaper fittings, it's either absent or a poor imitation. It's worth specifically asking whether soft-close is included and on which hardware components.
Is VAT included in the quote figure?
Check. Some companies quote excluding VAT, which adds 20 percent to the figure. A quote of £3,000 excluding VAT is a £3,600 job. The final payment amount should always be clearly stated with VAT included so you're comparing like-for-like between suppliers.
What is a 'day rate' and when might it be charged?
A day rate is a charge for labour time beyond what was included in the original estimate — typically triggered when the installation takes longer than expected due to unforeseen circumstances. Knowing whether a company has a day rate, what it is, and under what conditions it applies protects you from unexpected additions to the final invoice. A reputable company will be transparent about this before you sign.
How do I know if the hardware specification in a quote is good quality?
Ask for the brand and model of drawer runners, hinges, and soft-close mechanisms specified. Blum, Hettich, and Häfele are reputable European hardware manufacturers whose products are widely used in quality bespoke joinery. If a quote references generic or unbranded hardware, or if the company can't name the hardware it uses, that's worth noting.