To just pay this...?

[LadyShirazz]

Sorry if AIBU isn't quite the right place for this - but hoping for some quick input from the interior decor experts on here please!

Soooo just had a lovely chap from Sharpes come in to assess our tiny, cramped "spare" bedroom (which - for various reasons - serves as mine and OH's main / only bedroom, but is very small and desperately lacking in storage).

He quoted us £3,908 to replace the one single corner wardrobe we currently have (for the both of us!), and put in a beautiful floor to ceiling, 3-door fitted sliding door wardrobe (with proper storage worked in) across the far wall, as well as matching bedside tables and headboard - price includes fitting, furniture, delivery, removal of materials etc.

Maybe I'm being naive, but actually that was rather less than I was expecting to pay for the work we'd like done. We've not "actively" shopped around as yet, as we needed someone like this to first come in, measure up, and give an idea as to what's do-able or not - but had guesstimated in my mind at about £5k up. OH (who has a better grasp on matters DIY than me) was also pleasantly surprised at the quoted price...

Posted on moneysavingexpert as well, but hoping for a quicker response (and possible flaming?) on here...

As that seems a pretty fair price to me - AIBU to just go with this quote, or a complete and utter tool...?

Thanks!!!

I wouldn't pay that for a wardrobe (even if I could, heh,) but I understand why you're prepared to cough up.

If I were spending that kind of money I'd get a carpenter to make one. You can afford a proper craftsman with the skills, imagination & experience to build exactly what you hope for. Ask around, see if any of your local friends know the right person - the best never advertise; no need.

If that sounds like too much hassle, then maybe follow up recommendations for smaller build-from-kits outfits near you, like Tarty's suggestion above.

I've seen some impressive work from Sharp's, and also some depressing wastes of money. So much depends on the fitters and, with big firms like that, it's pot luck. Plus I happen to know what their margins are like (the Grand Canyon!) meaning they can't be spending very much on the actual materials & build.

I'm envious, though :) It's so nice to be creating a whole new space. Enjoy yourself!

Have a look in Spacesavers Enfield town
We have had two rooms done by them, probably not any cheaper, but they are excellent.
Dds room is 6 x 8 and they fitted a desk, two lots of drawers, bookshelves 3 door wardrobe and wall cupboards above bed.

Please consider local craftsmen before committing to Sharps. We spent £4K on bedroom furniture and it was the worst. We had a terrible fitter, it was awful, huge gaps filled with caulk, cheap materials all marked. Took months to sort out, three more deliveries of materials as they kept sending the wrong sizes and couldn't get the refit finished. Took months of fighting and once you commit they refuse to take it back as they have a no refund policy. After sales customer service was terrible.

I looked at sharpes and gor a quote for a floor to ceiling wardrobe for two rooms. The quoted upwards of 4k. I searched and got a local tradesman to do it for half the price who came up with some brilliant space savers (pull out integrated change bench in babies room). We didn't go for that idea in the end but I used him.and it was half the cost. He trained with a big firm not sharpes but now has his own business. As far as I know sliderobes quotes alter based on postcode. I say get it if your happy with the price.

I struck gold with my guy but was wary at first and independents aren't always easy to find. Still could be worth getting a couple of quotes. I got quotes from 2 big firms and two locals. One big firm and one local never got bk ti me. One thing I'd sat us stay away from Beta Living they were shocking with me the sales rep who came to measure was rude about my house and area and didn't ever supply a quote and now I'm contacted with sales calls

I think the space is too tight. Why not look at your other rooms and see if you can swap around? You could have the wardrobes fitted in the small room but have a sofa bed in there for guests, and use your larger for sleeping.

£5000+ to stick a sliding door on a wall?

Ummmmm, no. Rule of thumb, if they advertise on TV (as Sharpe's do) 50% of what you're paying is going on the marketing costs.

Look for a local joiner.

When I needed similar we did space slide and paid a handy man to fit it for us.

We got our range from Sharpes; it was a pretty good price, though not actually a snip. The guys who installed were nice enough but it is not level, despite the guys coming out twice more to 'rectify' it. It will never be level and I shall always make cakes which are higher at one end

Thanks all - the guy did all the measurements, and this would be followed up by a surveyor visit should we go for it.

It will be tight any which way round it - it's a particularly small bedroom in a two bed flat, and the larger one with en suite is rented out to a lodger, so his room is more self-contained. Which is not a problem in itself - the arrangement works great, other than we need some more storage space.

Been having a look at Hammonds (can't see from their website any looks that 'grab' me though), and Enfield is also not a million miles away so will also check there before committing.

I am always a bit wary about going with an independent - as much as I like the idea of supporting local businesses, it is always difficult to know who to choose...

Oh and VAT is included in that price

I got the name wrong it is spacemakers