DIY or Professional? The Honest Answer

IKEA PAX systems: Designed for self-assembly. Clear instructions, standardised parts, millions of YouTube tutorials. If you own a drill, a spirit level, and have a free weekend, you can absolutely do this. The key is taking your time with the wall fixings — in a new build, you're drilling into plasterboard and timber stud, so use the right fixings (toggle bolts or find the studs).

Flatpack from B&Q/Wickes: Similar story. The quality varies more than IKEA, but the assembly process is straightforward. Read the reviews before buying — some ranges are brilliant, others are frustrating.

Simple configurations: If you're doing a straight run along a flat wall with no alcoves, no sloped ceilings, and standard height, DIY is perfectly achievable.

Alcoves and chimney breasts: Older conversions sometimes have these, but even some new builds have awkward nooks. Fitting wardrobes into non-rectangular spaces requires scribing, cutting, and carpentry skills.

Sloped ceilings: Top-floor bedrooms under the roof line need wardrobes cut to follow the angle. This is genuinely specialist work.

Floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall: A full wall wardrobe at 2.4m height needs precise fitting. The margins for error are tiny — a few millimetres out and doors won't close, gaps will show, and the whole thing looks wrong.

Sliding door systems: The floor and ceiling tracks need to be perfectly level. In a new build where the floor might have a slight fall, a professional will shim and adjust to get it right.

Multiple bedrooms: If you're kitting out the whole house, a professional will do it in 2-3 days. DIY across 3-4 bedrooms will take you several weekends — and the quality improves with each one, meaning your first attempt (probably the master bedroom) will be the worst.

A good wardrobe fitter will:

• Measure your rooms precisely (accounting for out-of-square walls)
• Design the internal layout with you (hanging space, shelves, drawers)
• Source or build the units to your spec
• Install everything in 1-2 days per bedroom
• Scribe around skirting boards and fit fillers for a seamless finish
• Leave you with a clean, finished room ready to use

The peace of mind is worth it for most people, especially when you factor in the cost of mistakes (wrong-sized doors, damaged walls, wasted weekends).

The best wardrobe fitters are usually local carpenters or joiners who specialise in bedroom furniture. They're rarely the big national brands — they're the one-person businesses that rely on word of mouth and local reputation.

Post a job on MyNewHomeHub describing what you need — the room size, your budget, and whether you want sliding or hinged doors. You'll get quotes from vetted local fitters who know new builds inside out.