Planning bespoke carpentry in London can feel like stepping into a price fog. One carpenter quotes a tidy sum: another sends a figure that makes your eyes water. What’s going on? In short: London rates, material choices, finishing standards, and project complexity all pull the numbers up or down. This guide cuts through the noise so you can set a realistic budget, brief with confidence, and avoid nasty surprises. You’ll learn how pricing works, what typical projects cost, and which levers you can pull to get a premium result without overspending.
What Counts As Bespoke Carpentry
Typical London Projects
Bespoke carpentry covers anything tailored to your space rather than bought off the shelf. In London homes that often means built-in wardrobes, alcove units, media walls, floating shelving, window seats, understairs storage, bespoke doors and panelling, fitted home offices, and one-off staircases. Kitchens may be fully bespoke or semi-bespoke using standard carcasses with custom fronts.
When You Need A Carpenter Versus A Joiner
Carpenters typically handle on-site construction and installation (studwork, skirting, fitting units), while joiners craft components in a workshop (doors, frames, cabinetry) before installation. In practice, many London firms do both, but a “joinery-led” outfit with a spray shop will usually deliver the crispest finishes for premium cabinetry and panelling.
On-Site Build Versus Workshop-Made
- On-site build: Faster to start, good for simple alcoves and shelving. Finish is often brush-painted: tolerances depend on site conditions.
- Workshop-made: Components are precision-cut and pre-finished (often spray-lacquered) in controlled conditions, then fitted on site. It costs more upfront but delivers cleaner lines, durable finishes, and less disruption in your home.
How Pricing Works In London
Fixed Price Versus Day Rate
- Fixed price (most common): You receive a detailed quote based on drawings, scope, and finishes. Best for budgeting and managing expectations.
- Day rate: Useful for small, undefined jobs or remedials. In London, experienced carpenters often charge £250–£450+ VAT per day: two-person teams go higher. Day rates can balloon if scope creeps, so get a cap.
Materials, Labour, And Overheads
Your price covers materials (timber, sheet goods, hardware, finishes), labour (design, workshop time, site fitting), and overheads (workshop, machinery, insurances, admin). London overheads and skilled labour push prices up versus the rest of the UK, especially for spray-finished and veneer work.
VAT, Waste, And Delivery Charges
Most VAT-registered firms add 20% VAT. Ask if waste disposal (e.g., skip hire £250–£400 in London) and deliveries/parking are included. Parking suspensions or Congestion/ULEZ charges can appear as line items.
Lead Times And Seasonality
Expect 3–10 weeks lead time for bespoke joinery, longer for complex kitchens and staircases. Autumn to pre-Christmas is peak, prices don’t always rise, but schedules fill fast. If you’re flexible, late winter/early spring can be friendlier for slotting in.
Typical Price Ranges By Project
(All guide prices are London averages for design, manufacture, and installation: finishing notes included where relevant. Add VAT if applicable.)
Built-In Wardrobes And Alcove Units
- Simple MDF alcove cupboards with shelves: £1,200–£3,000 per side, brush-painted on site. Spray-finished and fully scribed units: £1,800–£3,800.
- Fitted wardrobes (full height, shaker or slab fronts): £2,500–£6,500 per run metre depending on interiors (drawers, shoe racks), cornice, and spray finish. A typical 2.5–3m run lands £6,000–£12,000.
Shelving, Media Walls, And Bookcases
- Floating shelves (pair, concealed brackets): £350–£800.
- Built-in bookcase wall (3–4m): £3,000–£8,000 depending on MDF vs birch ply, lighting, and finish.
- Media wall with cabinets, TV recess, cable management, and LED strips: £3,500–£10,000: add £800–£2,000 for integrated feature panelling or slats.
Fitted Kitchens And Utility Units
- Semi-bespoke (quality carcasses + custom fronts, Blum/Hettich hardware): cabinetry only typically £8,000–£18,000 for a London galley/L-shaped kitchen: £15,000–£30,000 for larger spaces. Worktops, appliances, plumbing, and electrics are extra.
- Fully bespoke kitchens (veneered or hardwood fronts, spray finish, larder systems): £25,000–£60,000+ for cabinetry. Premium timbers, curved doors, and specialist finishes push higher.
- Utility rooms: £3,000–£10,000 for cabinetry depending on layout and moisture-resistant materials.
Doors, Panelling, And Architraves
- Bespoke internal doors: £600–£1,500 per door supplied and fitted (solid core costs more), plus ironmongery.
- Wall panelling (MDF shaker or tongue-and-groove): £200–£500 per linear metre supplied and fitted, more for curved walls or intricate mouldings.
- Skirting/architraves: £20–£50 per metre fitted: room packages often £300–£900 depending on profiles and prep.
Staircases And Under-Stairs Storage
- Under-stairs pull-outs/cupboards: £1,500–£5,000 based on number of drawers, soft-close runners, and integrated lighting.
- Bespoke staircases: £8,000–£25,000+ (closed-string MDF/oak at the lower end: open-tread oak, glass balustrades, or feature curves at the higher end). Listed buildings and tight access increase costs.
Cost Drivers You Can Control
Timber Species And Sheet Goods
- MDF (standard or moisture-resistant) is cost-effective and perfect for painted built-ins.
- Birch ply and high-grade MR MDF improve rigidity and edge quality.
- Hardwoods (oak, ash, walnut) and real-wood veneers look premium but cost more, especially with matched grain across doors.
Hardware Quality And Mechanisms
Budget hinges and runners work, but premium hardware (Blum, Hettich) buys longevity and smoother action. Expect £20–£50 per drawer for decent soft-close runners: pocket/bi-fold, push-to-open, and pocket-sprung mechanisms add quickly.
Paint, Veneer, And Spray-Finishing Choices
Hand painting is cheaper short term but less durable. Spray finishing (polyurethane or AC lacquer) gives a factory-smooth shell that resists chips, budget £60–£120 per door/panel. Real-wood veneer and staining need more prep and specialist lacquers.
Design Complexity, Curves, And Detailing
Curves, scribed templates to out-of-true walls, fluted fronts, integrated lighting, and concealed cable routes all add labour. Glass doors, reeded panels, and bespoke mouldings mean more setup and finishing time.
Access, Parking, And Site Preparation
Third-floor flats without lifts, tight hallways, and restricted parking extend fitting time. You can save by clearing rooms, confirming wall construction ahead of time, and arranging parking permits or suspensions so the team isn’t clock-watching.
Getting And Comparing Quotes
Brief, Measurements, And Drawings
Provide a clear brief: inspiration images, rough sketches, dimensions (ceiling heights, alcove widths), and any appliances or AV kit with model numbers. Ask for measured surveys and simple drawings or 3D visuals before you sign off price.
Inclusions, Exclusions, And Allowances
Request a detailed scope showing: materials (MR MDF vs birch ply), hardware brand, finish type/colour, number of shelves/drawers, handles, lighting, filler panels, plinths, scribing, and painting/spray finishing. Clarify exclusions like plastering, electrics, decorating, stone worktops, or appliance fitting. For undecided items, ask for allowances (PC sums) to keep comparisons fair.
Warranties, Insurance, And Compliance
Look for a 12–24 month workmanship warranty, proof of public liability insurance, and compliance with building regs where relevant (e.g., fire doors in flats, staircase rules). For leasehold properties, check freeholder permissions in advance.
Payment Schedules And Change Control
Normal terms: 40–50% deposit for materials, a mid-stage payment, and balance on completion or after snagging. Any changes after sign-off should be priced via a written variation so you can track impact on cost and timeline.
Budget-Savvy Choices That Still Look Premium
Smart Layout Tweaks And Standard Modules
Design within standard board sizes to reduce waste. Keep units to regular widths (e.g., 600/800/1000mm) where possible. Full-height doors with fewer breaks feel expensive without adding lots of extra parts.
Mixing Materials Without Downgrading Look
Use MR MDF for carcasses and splurge on visible areas: solid timber lippings, veneer or hardwood for doors, and a standout handle. In wardrobes, mirror a few fronts or specify fluted glass to elevate without veneering everything.
Pre-Finishing And Off-Site Fabrication
Pre-finished, workshop-sprayed components shorten site time (handy in flats) and deliver a higher-end look. Off-site fabrication also reduces dust and rework, which eventually saves money.
Phasing, Reuse, And Salvage Options
Phase projects by room to spread cost. Reuse existing carcasses if solid, then replace fronts and hardware. Salvage timber for shelves or panelling accents: it adds character and trims the materials bill.