If you’ve looked into purchasing a closet organization system for your home, you’ve likely experienced some sticker shock.
Custom built-in closet systems often cost thousands of dollars, leaving many homeowners wondering – why are closet systems so expensive?
There are several reasons that contribute to the high prices of closet organization systems. By understanding what goes into designing and installing these systems, you can better evaluate if the investment is worthwhile for your home.
Reasons For Closet Systems Being So Expensive
Here is a list of such reasons:
- Customization Adds To The Cost
- Higher Quality Materials And Craftsmanship
- Long Lasting & Integrated Design
- Professional Installation
- Multi-Step Design Process
- Higher Margins And Specialized Skills
- More Advanced Safety Features
- Meeting Building Codes and Permits
Let’s explain those reasons elaborately.
Customization Adds To The Cost
One of the biggest contributors to the high cost of closet systems is the fact that they are fully customizable.
Closet systems can be completely tailored to the unique dimensions, layout, and storage needs of your closet.
This requires precise measurement, planning, and skilled construction.
Unlike buying an off-the-shelf closet system that comes in standardized sizes, custom systems are built specifically for your space.
The components are cut and assembled to fit your closet’s exact footprints and to maximize every inch of storage capacity. This custom work is labor-intensive and therefore costlier.
The more customized options, additions, and adjustments made to a closet system, the higher the price tag. Some of the ways a closet system can be customized include:
- Adjustable shelves and specialized storage features like jewelry drawers, shoe racks, and tie racks.
- Using higher-end materials like solid wood instead of laminates for drawers, shelves, and doors.
- Incorporating architectural details like crown molding, elevated paneling, and custom finishes.
- Adding lighting, electrical outlets, USB ports, and integrated electrical components.
- Incorporating specialty storage solutions for folding clothes, hanging clothes, accessories, linens, and more.
- Designing systems around unique closet shapes, sloped ceilings, and structural challenges.
The more customized the system is to your space and storage preferences, the more labor and materials are required, driving up the overall system cost significantly.
Higher Quality Materials And Craftsmanship
Closet systems use higher grade construction materials and expert craftsmanship compared to typical ready-made closet components found at home improvement stores.
The woods, veneers, hardware, and finishing used are meant to last decades, not just a few years.
Soft-closing drawers, sturdy shelves, and high-end hang rods are constructed with durability in mind.
Doors and visible surfaces are sanded and finished to perfection.
Precision cuts and seamless finishing make for flawless built-ins that look like high-end furniture rather than basic storage.
You are paying for skilled carpentry, joinery, finishing, and installation. This expertise and labor needed to construct a seamless custom system contributes to the investment required. The higher the quality of materials and craftsmanship, the higher the system cost.
Long Lasting & Integrated Design
Another factor impacting the price of closet systems is that they are designed to last. Closet systems are built-in permanently and are meant to function efficiently for decades without the hassle of sagging shelves, peeling laminates, or disintegrating wire racks.
The systems are crafted using wood joinery and finished carpentry rather than with particle board, laminates, and rickety metal parts. Higher quality integrated components make the system far more durable than temporary closet organization fixes.
While it is a major investment upfront, a good closet system can add value and function to your home for 30+ years. The long-lasting integrated nature of the custom system adds value that factors into the higher initial price tag.
Professional Installation
Constructing a custom closet system requires high-level carpentry skills for precise cutting, joining, finishing, and fitting the components flawlessly within your existing space.
DIY installation of a closet system is challenging and risky.
The installation of a closet system is factored into the overall cost when using a professional closet designer and contractor.
Professional installation is precise down to 1/16th of an inch and ensures your system functions flawlessly for years.
It also protects your existing home from unnecessary damage during the renovation process.
A poorly installed closet system with uneven shelves, misaligned drawers, and shoddy finishing will not function effectively and can devalue the system over time. Avoiding mistakes by using professionals is worth the added expense for most homeowners.
The cost of professional installation contributes to the overall investment in a closet system.
Multi-Step Design Process
Creating a customized closet system is an extensive process that involves precise measuring, 3D computer planning, design consultations, budgeting, permitting, material selection, and construction.
This intensive design and planning process spans weeks before construction even begins. The numerous steps involved justify the costs compared to picking out a few components at a home center.
A reputable designer will not cut any corners when custom building integrated systems for your home. From initial design to final installation, well over 100 hours can go into a single closet system when done properly. The lengthy design process and attention to detail is factored into the overall project investment.
Higher Margins And Specialized Skills
Unfortunately, the closet design industry also tends to build in higher profit margins than more common remodeling projects.
The specialized skills required to design and construct excellent custom closets make this a niche marketplace.
With less competition, some closet companies and designers charge higher prices and margins on their closet systems compared to general contractors or carpenters.
It is important to get multiple quotes and vet designer qualifications thoroughly.
Look for designers who are transparent about pricing and margins to ensure you are not overpaying.
The right designer provides great value for the customized solution you need – so choose carefully!
More Advanced Safety Features
Closet systems often integrate customized safety features that contribute to costs. Full-extension soft-close drawer slides prevent injuries from drawers slamming shut.
Doors can have hydraulic soft-close hinges to prevent pinched fingers or doors slamming. Adjustable integrated lighting keeps closets well-lit to avoid tripping hazards.
These small safety additions improve functionality and prevent home accidents when used frequently.
Meeting Building Codes and Permits
Niche builders and designers are familiar with the legal requirements involved with constructing closet systems to meet building codes. Pulling required permits, having plans approved, and scheduling inspections is a tedious process built into the project timeline and budget.
Meeting building codes through precise design specifications and certified materials is crucial but adds logistical costs compared to basic DIY projects.
Brand Name and Boutique Options
Closet systems can incorporate luxury brand name organization products and specialty accessories that boost costs exponentially. For example, incorporating hanging rods, shelves and drawers from California Closets or the Container Store vs standard hardware parts.
Or adding handbag displays from The Limited and specialty jewelry drawers from Boutique Closets pushes prices higher. Using luxury branded components in lieu of generic accessories contributes to premium price points.
Higher Demand and Limited Qualified Companies
As custom closet systems grow in popularity, demand has risen dramatically while quality suppliers remain limited.
With high demand and low competition among legitimate experienced closet designers and installers, companies can charge premium rates, especially in affluent metro areas.
There are limited qualified experts so these vendors drive luxury prices, just like designer kitchen or bath companies command. Limited supply with high demand equals higher cost.
Is The Investment In A Closet System Worthwhile?
With so many factors driving up the costs, a price tag in the thousands may seem excessive for a closet system. Are custom closet systems worth the high initial investment?
Here are a few benefits that can make closet systems worth the splurge:
- You gain highly functional, organized storage space customized to your needs – reducing clutter and headaches for years.
- Integrated lighting, electrical, and specialty features make using your closet a luxurious daily experience.
- With precise customization to your space, every inch is utilized efficiently – increasing your storage capacity.
- Custom closet systems add value and functionality that appeal to future buyers, recouping much of the cost.
- Choosing durable quality materials means the system will function flawlessly for decades with minimal maintenance required.
- Investing in customization and professional installation ensures your system functions properly for the long haul.
- You reduce wasted time hunting for items when you have a place for everything for all your essentials.
Typical Costs For A Closet System
Custom closet system costs vary greatly depending on your location, closet size, design, materials, and accessories chosen. Here are some typical price ranges:
- Walk-in closet system – $2,000 to $10,000
- Reach-in closet system – $1,000 to $3,000
- Linen closet system – $600 to $1,800
- Master bedroom walk-in system with custom cabinets, shelving, and built-ins – $15,000 to $30,000
A mid-range walk-in closet system with a mix of hanging/folding storage, cabinets, and shelves typically runs $3,500 to $7,000. Of course, the sky’s the limit for luxury bespoke closets showcasing specialty finishes and features.
Targeting a reasonable budget and vetting designer qualifications is key to maximizing value. Well-designed functionality is vital, not necessarily over-the-top frills.
FAQs: Custom Closet Systems
Custom closets cost more due to fully customized design, higher grade construction, integrated permanent installation, professional expertise required, and multi-step intensive design process. The level of customization, materials, and features determine the overall price.
For most homeowners, the benefits of convenience, organization, and personalization make investing in a professionally designed closet system worthwhile. The integrated permanent nature and quality materials ensure decades of optimized function to recoup the cost over time.
Typical costs range from $600 for a basic reach-in closet up to $30,000+ for an intricate built-out master suite closet system. The national average cost for a custom walk-in closet is $5,000 to $7,000. Regional labor rates impact prices as well.
Yes, well-designed custom closet systems add value and appeal to homes that can positively impact resale value. Storage optimizations and integrated organizational features are desirable. The systems should use quality materials to contribute value rather than cheaper laminates and wire racks.
Final Thoughts
For most homeowners, the benefits of convenience, organization, and personalization make investing in a professionally designed closet system worthwhile. Targeting the areas that matter most to you rather than over-customizing can help keep costs reasonable.
Focus your investment on quality lifetime construction and integrated organizational components that suit your needs. Though the price tag is higher than basic storage, the daily enjoyment and utility gained from a custom system make it worthwhile for many.
