How much does a custom closet cost?
How much does a custom closet cost?
$25 – $35 Per square foot to build a new closet
$1,500 – $4,500 Average total cost to build a custom closet
$70 – $270 Per linear foot to customize an existing closet
Custom closet cost
A custom closet costs $25 to $35 per square foot or $1,500 to $4,500 on average, including labor and materials. The cost to build a closet depends on the size and features. Walk-in closet installation costs $1,000 to $8,000, while a small reach-in closet costs $500 to $3,800 to construct.
| Project | Average cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Build a new custom closet in a room | $1,500 – $4,500* | Framing, drywall, painting, flooring, and lighting |
| Add custom storage to a closet | $400 – $8,000 | Building a custom shelving system or installing a custom closet organizer |
| Standard remodel of an existing closet | $500 – $2,500 | Installing a prefab closet organizer and painting |
| Install a built-in wardrobe closet | $1,500 – $4,500 | Install a built-in cabinet with rods and shelves for storage |
| Add a freestanding wardrobe | $1,000 – $3,000 | Standalone unit – not a closet |
*Average 50-100 square foot closet.
Average cost of a custom closet
The following table shows the average cost to build a custom closet.
| National Average Cost | $3,000 |
| Minimum Cost | $250 |
| Maximum Cost | $20,000 |
| Average Range | $1,500 to $4,500 |
Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Cost to build a closet by type
Building a closet costs $500 to $8,000, depending on the size and if it's a reach-in, walk-in, or built-in wardrobe closet.
| Closet type | Average cost to build |
|---|---|
| Walk-in closet | $1,000 – $8,000 |
| Reach-in closet | $500 – $3,800 |
| Built-in wardrobe closet | $1,500 – $4,500 |
| Freestanding wardrobe closet | $1,000 – $3,000 |
Cost to build a walk-in closet
Building a walk-in closet costs $1,000 to $8,000 on average or $70 to $270 per linear foot.
To determine the total linear feet for your closet, add the lengths of the side and back walls. The entry wall typically does not include rods or shelves because the door needs enough room to open inward.
| Closet size | Estimated linear feet | Average cost to build |
|---|---|---|
| 4'x6 | 14 LF | $1,000 – $3,800 |
| 4'x8' | 16 LF | $1,100 – $4,300 |
| 6'x8' | 20 LF | $1,400 – $5,400 |
| 7'x10' | 24 LF | $1,700 – $6,500 |
| 10'x10' | 30 LF | $2,100 – $8,000 |
Cost to build a small reach-in closet
Building a reach-in closet costs $500 to $3,800 on average, depending on the size.
Reach-in closets need a minimum depth of 24 inches to allow a rod depth of at least 12 inches. Ideally, a reach-in closet is half the width of the room.
| Closet size | Size in linear feet | Average cost to build |
|---|---|---|
| 2'x3' linen closet | 7 LF | $500 – $1,900 |
| 2'x6' standard reach-in | 10 LF | $700 – $2,700 |
| 3'x8' reach-in | 14 LF | $1,000 – $3,800 |
Custom built-in wardrobe closet cost
A built-in wardrobe costs $1,500 to $4,500 for a for a fitted wardrobe installed along the wall of a room. The unit includes cabinets, drawers, or open shelving depending on the storage needs.
Mirrored wardrobe doors brighten a small, dark space while paneled or upholstered doors offer high-end style.
Standalone wardrobe cost
A standalone wardrobe costs $1,000 to $3,000 for a freestanding piece of storage furniture.
A cabinet with tall legs, decorative doors, and rods and shelves inside is often called an armoire. A larger, more modern cabinet that sits on small feet or flat on the floor is called a wardrobe.
Custom closet installation costs
Common factors that impact the installation cost include:
Closet size – Smaller reach-in closets are cheaper since they have less space and require fewer materials. Large walk-in closets require more storage pieces, increasing costs.
Location – Building a closet in the corner of a room using two or more existing walls saves money on framing and drywall.
Design costs – An interior designer costs $50 to $200 per hour to style and plan the space. A personal organizer costs $50 to $150 per hour to arrange the new closet.
Materials
Wire shelves are the cheapest closet material, found at most home improvement stores.
Laminate or melamine storage is more costly than wire but works better for folded items.
Wood shelves are the most expensive, offering a high-end luxury look that lasts.
Organization system / shelving – A prefabricated closet organizer is cheaper and easier to install than a custom closet unit or electric closet carousel.
Add-ons / accessories – Using a combination of rods, shelves, and drawers and adding custom features like jewelry trays or belt racks increases the cost but improves organization.
Cost to frame, drywall, and finish a closet
The average cost to build a closet from scratch is $25 to $35 per square foot, including materials and labor. Some factors that contribute to the construction cost include:
Labor
A carpenter costs $40 to $100 per hour.
A general contractor costs $50 to $150 per hour or 10% to 20% of the construction cost.
An architect costs $100 to $250 per hour to draw plans for a remodel project.
A handyman costs $50 to $80 per hour.
An electrician costs $40 to $100 per hour to add lights to the new closet.
A painter costs $20 to $50 per hour to finish the space with interior painting.
Framing costs $13 to $15 per linear foot on average.
Drywall installation costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot to cover the exposed areas after the wall is removed.
Flooring costs $4 to $15 per square foot installed, depending on the type.
Interior painting costs $1 to $3 per square foot.
Interior door installation costs $150 to $400 for a basic closet door.
Electrical outlet installation costs $150 to $350.
Light switch installation costs $100 to $300.
Electrical wiring costs $100 to $150 to add an electrical outlet or switch.
Recessed lighting installation costs $125 to $300 per can light.
Custom closet organization system cost
A custom closet organization system costs $400 to $8,000, depending on if it's a prefabricated, custom, or electric closet carousel. Prefab systems are easy to install in most closets, while electric closet carousels are ideal for smaller closets with limited storage space.
| Type | Average total cost installed |
|---|---|
| Prefab closet system | $400 – $2,200 |
| Custom closet system | $1,000 – $8,000 |
| Electric closet system | $800 – $2,800 |
Closets by Design costs $1,800 to $7,000 on average for a custom walk-in closet or $1,100 to $3,000 for a reach-in closet. Closets by Design is one of the largest custom closet companies in the U.S.
Custom closet remodel costs
A closet remodel costs $500 Âto $2,500 on average to add customized storage or an entire organizer system to an existing closet. A premium remodel costs up to $12,000 and includes luxury inserts, new lighting, outlets, flooring, and paint.
| Factor | Average remodel cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget remodel | $150 – $500 | Basic rods or shelving and paint |
| Standard remodel | $500 – $2,500 | A prefab organizer system and paint |
| Premium remodel | $2,500 – $12,000 | A custom organizer system with cabinets and luxury inserts, plus lighting, outlets, new flooring, and paint |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to extend a closet
Extending a closet costs a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the walls being moved or added. Removing a non-load bearing wall costs $500 to $2,000, while removing a load-bearing wall costs $4,000 to $10,000.
Can you add a closet to a room?
Yes, you can add a closet to almost any room. Smaller rooms may be limited to a built-in or freestanding wardrobe or may require borrowing space from an adjacent room.
How long does it take to install a custom closet?
Installing a custom closet takes about 4 hours for a small, reach-in closet and up to 4 days for a room-size boutique closet installation. Building a closet from scratch with framing, drywall, and finishing can take 2 weeks or longer.
What is the difference between a closet and a wardrobe?
A closet is an enclosed storage space with doors and is permanently built into the wall as an architectural feature. A wardrobe is a piece of furniture that is brought into the space for added storage. A wardrobe is either freestanding or attached to a wall as built-in storage.
Does a built-in closet increase a house’s value?
Adding a built-in closet converts a spare room into a true bedroom, increasing the home’s bedroom count and boosting the appraised value by as much as $30,000 in some real estate markets.
Getting estimates from closet installers
When hiring a custom closet company near you, be sure to:
Look for a closet installer that has been in business for 5+ years.
Choose from companies that are licensed, bonded, and insured.
Browse reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Get at least three estimates with similar plans to compare.
Avoid the lowest quotes that may indicate poor workmanship.
Ask for a written estimate, contract, and warranty before beginning the project.
Arrange a payment plan and only make the final payment when fully satisfied.
Questions to ask
What experience do you have building custom closets?
How many custom closets have you built in the last year?
Can you provide a list of references with contact information?
How much do you charge to build a 10' x 10' walk-in closet?
Does your estimate include framing, drywall, lighting, and finishing?
Do you recommend a prefabricated or custom storage solution?
How long will the project take?
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
What type of warranty do you offer?