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Quick Answer
A typical fitted wardrobe project in London takes six to twelve weeks from initial design visit to completed installation. The design and quoting stage takes one to two weeks, workshop construction takes four to eight weeks, and installation itself takes one to five days depending on the scale of the project.
Fitted wardrobes are not an off the shelf purchase. Unlike flat pack furniture that ships within days, bespoke fitted wardrobes involve a sequence of stages that each take time to complete properly. The result is furniture built specifically for your room, but the trade off is a longer wait between deciding you want it and seeing it installed.
Most homeowners asking how long fitted wardrobes take have a deadline in mind. A baby due in a few months, a move in date on a new property, a renovation window before guests arrive at Christmas, or the practical point of wanting the project finished before daily life gets busy again. Understanding the realistic timeline helps you plan backwards from the deadline rather than discovering mid project that the dates will not work.
This guide covers each stage of a typical fitted wardrobe project in London, how long each stage realistically takes, and what can speed up or slow down the overall timeline
How Long Does the Initial Design Visit Take?
The first stage is the design visit, where a designer comes to your home to measure the room, discuss your requirements, and understand what you want the wardrobe to do.
Most reputable companies offer this visit free of charge. The visit itself typically takes 60 to 90 minutes depending on the complexity of the project. Scheduling the visit usually takes one to two weeks from your initial enquiry, depending on the company’s current workload and your availability.
What to prepare before the visit:
• Measure your current clothing storage so you have a realistic sense of what the new wardrobe needs to hold
• Think about what works and does not work in your current setup
• Have photos of styles you like to hand
• Bring samples or references from the surrounding room
• Make a list of specific storage requirements like shoe racks, tie storage, or jewellery drawers
Early mornings, evenings, and Saturdays are the most requested slots and typically book up first.
What Happens During the Design and Quote Stage?
After the design visit, the designer prepares the detailed design and quote. This typically takes three to seven working days.
The design includes technical drawings showing the wardrobe from the front, side, and in plan view. For more complex projects, 3D visualisations show how the finished wardrobe will look in the room. The quote itemises materials, construction, finishes, hardware, delivery, and installation.
Reviewing the quote and asking clarifying questions typically takes another few days. Most homeowners want to think about significant purchases rather than committing immediately. Reputable companies allow this review time without pressure.
Changes to the initial design add time. If the first design does not quite match what you want, revisions typically take another three to five working days per round. Most projects go through one or two rounds of revision before the final design is agreed.
How Long Does Material Ordering Add to the Timeline?
Once the design is agreed, a deposit is paid and materials are ordered. Deposit amounts vary by company but typically range from 25 to 50 percent of the total project cost.
Material lead times depend on what has been specified:
• Standard materials like painted MDF carcasses and common hardware are available within days
• Standard wood species like oak or ash in common tones ship within one to two weeks
• Specialist materials like premium wood veneers or imported hardware can take two to four weeks
• Custom paint colours matched to specific references add three to five working days
• Specialist glass or mirrored elements can take three to four weeks for cut to size orders
For most straightforward London projects using standard materials, this stage adds one to two weeks to the overall timeline. For projects involving specialist materials or custom finishes, it can add three to four weeks.
How Long Does Workshop Construction Take?
Workshop construction is the longest single stage of most fitted wardrobe projects. This is when the carcasses, doors, drawers, and internal fittings are actually built.
A typical single bedroom wardrobe takes two to four weeks of workshop time. Larger installations across multiple rooms, or projects with complex design elements like curved doors or specialist detailing, can take four to eight weeks or longer.
Several factors affect workshop time:
• The current workshop queue when you place your order
• The complexity of the design, with shaker panels and detailed joinery taking longer than flat panels
• Paint curing time for hand painted finishes, which require multiple coats with curing between
• The volume of drawer construction, which is more time intensive than shelf construction
• Any specialist techniques like curved doors, fluted panels, or inlay work
Reputable companies give realistic timelines that account for the current workshop queue rather than quoting optimistic timings that slip. Quality control checks before dispatch add another day or two.
How Long Does Installation Day Actually Take?
Installation is the shortest stage in terms of calendar time but requires the most coordination with the household.
• A single bedroom wardrobe typically installs in one to three days
• Larger installations across multiple rooms can take a week or more
• Whole house projects with wardrobes in several bedrooms plus hallway storage can take two weeks
• Very complex projects with substantial decorative work may take two weeks or longer
Installation day typically starts with the installers arriving between 8am and 9am. The room needs to be cleared of furniture and personal items before they arrive. The installation involves bringing in pre built carcasses, fixing them to walls, installing doors and hardware, fitting internal elements, and completing finishing work.
Dust and disruption during installation is significant but temporary. Reputable companies use dust extraction equipment and clean up thoroughly at the end of each day. The room is not usable for its normal purpose during installation.
What Can Speed Up the Overall Timeline?
Several factors can shorten the overall project timeline:
• Starting the design conversation earlier to secure workshop capacity
• Choosing standard materials and finishes rather than specialist options
• Selecting simpler designs with flat panel doors rather than complex detailing
• Being flexible on installation dates rather than requiring a specific day
• Having the room ready for installation on the agreed date
• Making design decisions quickly rather than extending the revision process
• Ordering in less busy periods like early summer or midwinter rather than autumn or spring
If you can accept the first available installation slot rather than requiring a specific date, the overall timeline shortens meaningfully.
What Causes Delays in Fitted Wardrobe Projects?
Several factors can extend the overall project timeline:
• Specialist materials and finishes that add weeks to material ordering
• Design changes mid project that require additional work and sometimes new materials
• Peak demand periods when the industry is at full capacity
• Complex rooms with awkward dimensions or period features
• Multiple rooms or very large single installations
• Rooms that are not ready for installation on the scheduled date
• Unexpected structural issues discovered once existing furniture is removed
Autumn in London is particularly busy as households complete projects before Christmas. Spring is busy as households prepare for summer. Planning around these peak periods helps.
How Should I Plan Backwards from My Deadline?
If you have a specific completion deadline, planning backwards from that date helps determine when to start.
For a standard single bedroom wardrobe project:
• Allow eight to ten weeks between the initial design visit and the deadline
• Add two weeks for the design conversation at the start
• Add six to eight weeks for construction and installation
• Add one week of buffer at the end for small unforeseen delays
For a larger project with multiple rooms:
• Allow 12 to 14 weeks between the initial design visit and the deadline
• Add three weeks for the design conversation given the increased complexity
• Add nine to eleven weeks for construction and installation
• Add two weeks of buffer at the end
For projects requiring specialist materials or complex design elements, add another two to four weeks to the standard timeline.
FAQs
How long do fitted wardrobes take to install?
Installation itself typically takes one to three days for a single bedroom wardrobe. Larger projects across multiple rooms can take a week or more. The total project from first design visit to completed installation usually runs six to twelve weeks.
Can fitted wardrobes be done in less than six weeks?
In some cases yes. If the design is straightforward, materials are standard, and the workshop has current capacity, a project can sometimes complete in four to five weeks. Rush projects usually involve accepting whatever design and material options are quickest rather than optimising for exactly what you want.
Why do fitted wardrobes take so long?
Most of the time goes into workshop construction, which is where carcasses, doors, drawers, and internal fittings are actually built. Quality construction takes two to four weeks per bedroom. Design, material ordering, and installation add the remaining time to reach the typical six to twelve week total.
Do I need to move out during fitted wardrobe installation?
You do not need to move out of the home, but the room where installation is happening is not usable for its normal purpose during installation days. Most households arrange alternative sleeping or working arrangements for the installation period, which is usually one to three days for a single bedroom.
What Humphries Cabinets Offers
We design and install fitted wardrobes across London with realistic timelines that match the quality of the finished work. Our services include:
• Bespoke Fitted Wardrobes designed and built for your specific room
• Floor to Ceiling Wardrobes capturing full room height
• Modern Fitted Wardrobes with contemporary design and hardware
• Shaker Style Wardrobes in traditional designs for period properties
• Sliding Door Wardrobes for rooms where floor space matters
• Wardrobe Interiors configured to specific storage requirements
Every project starts with a free design visit where we discuss realistic timelines based on your project scope and our current workshop schedule.
Why Choose Humphries Cabinets
At Humphries Cabinets, we quote timelines that we can actually meet. We have been building fitted wardrobes across London for over 15 years and understand what each project stage genuinely takes. If you have a specific deadline, we tell you honestly whether we can meet it before you commit.
If you are planning fitted wardrobes for your London home and want to discuss timelines against your deadline, contact us today to arrange your free consultation.
