Built-in cupboards

[odetothewestwing]

Have a traditional victorian semi and want to get some shaker-style cupboards built in either side of the fireplace in the front room. Have been quoted £1600 eeek! And that's for MDF that we would then paint. Admittedly from someone whom I think would do a great job. Is this what we are looking at or can we get it cheaper, I wonder? Has anyone else had similar done? I have had LOADS of quotes and so far, those at the bottom end of the scale - £500-ish are from people whom I really wouldn't have had any faith in ie no portfolio, didn't really seem to grasp what I wanted etc! We are in W. Sussex, by the way.

Sounds a bit expensive - we had similar done a couple of years ago, cupboards either side of the fireplace, four shelves above, nice beading on the doors, architrave (think that's what it's called) around the sides/top of the shelves - £900. We used a local joiner who we'd used before and trusted to do a good job - if you're house is anything like ours the walls will be pretty wonky! That was for plain unpainted MDF. I'm in Cambridgeshire btw.