Having a built in cupboard done help

[Reastie]

Hoping someone can help me with this random post.

We are going to have 2 built in cupboards made. Both ceiling high and in alcoves by fire places. One is maybe 50 cm wide (and flush with the fireplace, 2 doors that open and a few shelves), the other is 1 - 1.5 m wide (a bottom and top cupboard with a gap in the middle to put things on and shelves inside).

We are planning on paying a member of DHs family to make it. He is close family. He is charging per hour (a low hourly rate) but has given us an estimate of £700 to complete the work NOT including any materials. He says it's more likely to be an over rather than underestimate of hours but accurate as far as he can be at this point.

I just told my family this cost and they were completely at how much it is. I have no idea on cost of things (and it's not like we have alot of spare money) so assumed it was reasonable/mates rates.

Just wondered what your opinions of this was? I know it's very difficult but does this sound reasonable or over the odds? I'm resenting a bit paying potentially more than a tradesman (although said rellie is trained but hasn't done this type of work for years). I want to get a carpenter in to get a quote to check it's not over the odds but wondered what your initial thoughts were . FWIW I'm not sure if this price includes painting, I need to check that out.

The whole thing sounds a nightmare. Get a couple of people around to give you a quote before you do anything. We had an alcove cupboard done with some expensive door hardware (£100 for the hinges!) and we paid £630 all-in (we're SW). It does take skill to get the doors to hang straight and fit evenly. Also if it isn't right you want to be able to complain and get them back in to sort it.

However, you may have to suck this one up for the sake of family - thought I would insist on a time frame. Anticipate that you'll have to get someone in to fix any errors though and will likely end up costing you more than getting in a joiner/ carpenter to begin with.

homeanddecor.org/home-office/create-decorative-file-cabinets-for-your-home-office/

I have been meaning to do this to ours which we picked up for £10 from a charity shop.

We had a big under stair cupboard put in a while ago, divided into 3 sections and decorative beading on the front to blend in with other period features and it cost around 350 including materials.

I think I'd maybe go for your last option, tell PIL's you haven't much spare cash either so are going to do it differently and forgo the built in cupboards. Reckon the freestanding filing cabinet decorated with some lovely wall paper could look really cute. You could always still get a cupboard put in the spare alcove at a later date.

ohh yawn I love that idea but our filing cabinet is all dented and non straight sides because of dents so don't think it would work . I'm off to google filing cabinets that don't look like filing cabinets to see if there are any. Found a lovely oak 1920s small wardrobe which would fit the alcove in the bedroom perfectly for £250, so if I can do something with the filing cabinet relatively cheaply then may be able to forego the bedroom unit at least.

I know Reastie - sorry I do get your problem is not hurting his feelings and DH being weird. I just thought you could get out of it by saying you have done it yourselves iyswim?

Sorry not much use really. Hope you find an answer.

Yeah, thanks for the help rooners, it would be good if we could do it!

I'm SW and have just had two large cupboards with shelving and angled hangers built into 2 alcoves -
£700 materials and labour. I am doing the painting.
I had lots of quotes and went with the guy who wanted to know exactly what I wanted and spent time actually discussing my ideas and what I wanted to use the space for.
One is an arch shape which he made a template for. I supplied the handles and I am so pleased with the result.
I was cheeky and asked if he'd do it for £50 less than he quoted as we really wanted him to go the work - he agreed, even though he quoted me 3 days labour and in the end it took him an extra day.
Get 5 or 6 quotes, I wouldn't have family do it for all the obvious reasons.

Well, I managed to persuade DH against FIL doing the units, we are just getting freestanding units as and when we can afford them. Still have the issue of FIL doing other work in the house for us and the cost of this, but ho hum, will consider that when we get there (I KNOW the decorating work DH wants him to do will end out at least the same as a professional decorator )