What Should You Measure Before Asking a Carpenter for a Built-In Wardrobe Quote?

1. Start with what the wardrobe must hold

Do not begin with the number of doors. Begin with your clothes and daily habits. Count long clothes, shirts, folded clothes, bags, bedding and suitcases. Note which items you use every day and which can go higher up.

Two wardrobes with the same outer size can work very differently inside. One family may need more hanging space. Another may need shelves and easy drawers. IKEA also advises planning the inside around the things you will store, not only the outer frame.

Take a photo of the items that are hard to store now. This makes the first carpenter visit more useful and helps you avoid paying for empty sections you do not need.

• Daily clothes that should be easy to reach.
• Long clothes that need full hanging height.
• Folded clothes, bags, bedding and suitcases.
• A safe place for small items, if needed.

Further reading: IKEA India: plan wardrobe frames, doors and inside storage

2. Measure the wall in more than one place

Use a tape to make a rough plan before you ask for prices. Measure the wall width near the floor, in the middle and near the ceiling. Measure the height at the left, centre and right. Check the usable depth too.

Rooms are not always perfectly square. A small difference can matter when a unit is made close to the wall or ceiling. IKEA asks people to measure the maximum width, height and depth of the wardrobe space. A custom carpenter should still take final site measurements before cutting boards.

Write each number on a simple room sketch. Do not remove skirting or trim just to make your rough number larger. Mark it so the carpenter can explain how the wardrobe will meet the wall.

Further reading: IKEA India: measure width, height and depth before wardrobe planning

3. Mark everything the wardrobe must not block

Draw the bedroom door and show which way it opens. Add windows, curtain space, switches, sockets, air-conditioner points and any panel that may need service. Mark the bed, bedside table and the path people use.

A wardrobe in a compact Sargasan bedroom may fit the wall but leave too little space to open a door or drawer. In a newly handed-over GIFT City flat, measure after the finished floor, skirting and ceiling work are clear. Keep builder repair points separate from new carpentry.

Ask how the unit will reach the room. Check the main door, bedroom door, lift and turning space. A large section may need to be made in smaller parts.

4. Choose hinged or sliding doors after checking the room

Hinged doors need clear space in front. They can make it easy to see a whole section at once. Sliding doors use no swing space, but one door sits in front of another. The tracks and door overlap also affect the usable opening.

Do not copy a clearance number from one brand into a custom job. IKEA lists product-specific clearances for its own PAX frames. Ask your carpenter or hardware supplier for the fitting rules for the exact hinges, tracks and door sizes in your quote.

Open the bedroom door and stand where the wardrobe doors would move. Check the bed, handles and walking path. This small test is more useful than choosing a door from a photo alone.

Further reading: IKEA India: plan wardrobe frames, doors and inside storage

5. Draw the inside before choosing the finish

Ask for a simple front drawing with sizes. Mark hanging rails, shelves, drawers and the top storage. Place daily items between easy hand and eye level. Keep heavy suitcases on a strong, reachable shelf rather than over a weak divider.

Check that drawers can open past handles and nearby furniture. Ask how the shelves can be moved later. If you want a mirror, light or lock, add it before the quote is final so the fittings and wiring can be planned.

A neat white or wood finish does not fix a poor inside plan. Test the drawing with real items: a folded stack, your longest shirt or dress, and the bag you use most.

6. Put the material and fitting names in writing

Ask for the board type, brand, grade and thickness for the main body, shelves, shutters and back panel. Ask how exposed edges will be finished. For plywood, MR means moisture resistant; it is often sold for indoor furniture with limited moisture exposure. It is not the same as waterproof.

Ask for the hinge, channel, handle and sliding-track make or model. A general word such as “premium hardware” is hard to compare. Häfele notes that cabinet fronts can have different dimensions, finishes and configurations. Your quote should name the choice being priced.

If the wall has dampness, stop and find the cause before covering it. A new wardrobe should not hide an active water problem.

Further reading: CenturyPly: MR plywood for indoor furniture with limited moisture exposure · Häfele India: customised cabinet fronts and site measurement

7. Ask every quote to cover the same work

Give each carpenter the same room sketch, storage list and finish choice. Ask for a measured drawing before making. The quote should state the outer size, inside parts, materials, fittings, delivery, installation and taxes.

Also ask about wall packing, skirting changes, electrical work, rubbish removal and paint touch-ups. These small jobs may be outside a basic carpentry price. Agree how added work will be priced before it starts.

Use the free guide below during the site visit. It has a room-measurement page, storage planner, door check, material notes and a quote list. The guide helps you ask clearer questions; the carpenter still has to confirm the final build sizes.

• A measured front drawing with the inside layout.
• Board, finish and back-panel details.
• Named hinges, channels, tracks and handles.
• Delivery, fitting, small finishing work and taxes.
• A handover check and who returns for small fixes.