How Much Does Built-in Furniture Cost? How Pricing Works — So You Don’t Get Ripped Off

“I’d love a built-in wardrobe… but wait, will it be expensive? And how do they even price it?” We’re pretty sure that’s the first question on the mind of anyone planning to furnish their home. Plenty of people want beautiful built-ins but feel hesitant — afraid the budget will blow out, or afraid of being overcharged because they don’t know the basics. Today we’ll break down the rates and the pricing methods for built-in work in the simplest way possible. Finish this article and you’ll be able to talk to designers and builders on equal footing — no more fear of getting ripped off!

📌 1. How do built-in makers actually price their work?

Generally, built-in furniture is priced in two main ways:

Method 1: Priced by the “linear meter” — the most popular

The builder measures the length of the furniture along the horizontal (the width of the front face) and ignores depth, because cabinets have a standard depth anyway — e.g. a wardrobe is 60 cm deep, a kitchen cabinet is 60 cm deep. The simple formula is:

Furniture length (meters) × price per meter = base ballpark price

For example, a wardrobe 2.5 meters long at a builder’s rate of 18,000 THB/meter works out to roughly 2.5 × 18,000 = 45,000 THB.

Method 2: “Lump sum by design”

Usually used for work with complex designs, stepped levels, or curved sections that can’t be measured in straight meters. The builder or company calculates the total cost of materials plus labor and quotes it as a single figure.

💰 2. A look at current market rates

Whether the price per meter is cheap or expensive depends on the “type of cabinet” and the “materials chosen.” On average, the market rates look roughly like this:

Floating cabinets are usually cheaper because they aren’t very tall — like wall-hung units in a kitchen. Full-height pieces such as large wardrobes or floor-to-ceiling TV walls use more material, so they carry the highest rate.

🔍 3. What pushes the “built-in price” higher?

Why do two jobs with similar specs come out at different prices — one cheap, one expensive? Here are the three main variables:

1. Carcass and door-front material: Particle board is the most economical. Step up to HMR (High Moisture Resistance) board — which is denser and resists humidity well — or plywood, and the price rises with the quality and lifespan.

2. Surface finishing: Laminate costs differently from a Hi-Gloss spray finish, or mirror-glass and gold stainless cladding.

3. Fittings: Ordinary hinges vs. Soft-Close hinges (smooth, soft open-and-close), or pull-out corner baskets and concealed drawer runners — these carry a fairly large price gap.

🛠️ 4. How to check a quote so you aren’t taken advantage of

Before signing a contract or transferring a deposit, always check these on the quote (BOQ):

• Are the material types clearly specified? What’s the carcass made of, what are the door fronts? It shouldn’t just say “wood” vaguely.
• Are delivery and installation included? Some quote a very low price, then bill installation labor separately later.
• Is there a warranty? Good built-in work should carry a warranty on the structure or fittings for at least 6 months to 1 year.

CONCLUSION

💬 The bottom line

Built-in furniture has no “fixed” price, because it’s a blend of art and engineering made specifically for your home. The best approach is to set a budget in mind first, then tell your designer or maker directly — that way they can pick the materials and design the functions to match your needs and get you the most value for your money!

We hope this article helps everyone see the price of built-in work more clearly. Whatever size room you’re planning to furnish, reach out and consult with G-Code Cabinetry for an estimate first — we’re happy to advise!