Alcove cupboards: what affects the price

“How much for alcove cupboards?” is one of the questions we hear most, and the honest answer is that it depends on your alcoves. Here is what we look at when we price a pair, so you can see where the money goes and decide what matters to you.

The size of the space

The obvious one first. A tall, wide alcove in an older house in Roundhay needs more material and more time than a narrow recess in a newer semi. Height counts as much as width: shelves that run up to a high ceiling mean more timber, more fixings and more time on the ladder.

How square the walls are

Very few alcoves are true. Chimney breasts lean, back walls bow and floors drop towards the window. A fitted unit is scribed to follow those lines so there is no gap down the side. A wall that is badly out takes longer to scribe, which is why we measure every alcove ourselves rather than working from a sketch.

Cupboards, shelves or both

Open shelves cost less than cupboards. Every door adds making, hanging and adjusting, plus hinges and handles. A common layout is cupboards at the bottom with shelves above, which gives you hidden storage for the clutter and somewhere to show off books and photos.

Things that add time

• Drawers rather than shelves inside the cupboards
• Cut-outs for sockets, cables or a radiator pipe
• A desk, a TV space or a drinks shelf built into one side
• Lighting in the shelves
• Panelled or shaker doors rather than flat ones

The materials and the finish

Most painted alcove units are made from MDF, which is stable, takes paint well and does not move with the seasons. A solid timber top or solid shelves look lovely and cost more. Then there is the painting: whether the units are left ready for your decorator or painted as part of the job makes a real difference, so be clear which you want when you ask for a price.

What is in the wall

Old houses hide things. Fixing into solid brick is different from fixing into lath and plaster or a stud wall, and there is sometimes old pipework or wiring where a cupboard wants to go. We check what we can at the measure-up so the price allows for it.

How to get a fair price

Be clear about what you want to store, whether you want doors or open shelves, and how you want it finished. Our alcove cupboards page has ideas to start from. Then book a free measure-up: we will measure both alcoves properly and send you a written price, with the materials and the finish set out so you can compare like with like.