Carpentry & Joinery Cost UK – 2026 Price Guide
How much does carpentry and joinery work cost in the UK in 2026? This guide uses real pricing data from 519 UK towns to show realistic figures for internal doors, fitted wardrobes, staircases, skirting, architraves and bespoke joinery — with BWF-certified joiner rates and what Part K Building Regs actually require for stair work.
Carpentry Cost at a Glance
Typical 2026 UK prices for the most common carpentry and joinery jobs. Day rates run £180-£280/day for a qualified joiner. Bespoke joinery commands a premium because it's made-to-measure.
Typical hang of pre-primed door on existing frame. Includes hinges, latch, adjustments. Add £80-£150 for door itself.
Get quotes →Made-to-measure built-in with sliding or hinged doors. Budget MDF to bespoke veneered oak. 2-5 days on-site.
Get quotes →Full structural replacement. Part K Building Regs sign-off required. Off-the-shelf pine from £1,800; bespoke oak £4,000+.
Get quotes →A BWF-certified joiner will measure, design and price based on your actual room.
Get free quotes →Carpentry & Joinery Cost by Project (UK 2026)
| Project | Scope | Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hang internal door | Existing frame, pre-primed | £120 – £250 | 1–2 hours |
| Fit new door frame + door | Including architraves | £300 – £650 | ½ day |
| French doors (internal) | Double doors + frame | £500 – £1,400 | 1 day |
| Front door installation | Composite on existing frame | £400 – £900 | ½ day |
| Skirting board (per metre) | MDF / softwood, fitted | £8 – £18/m | 20-30m/day |
| Architrave (per metre) | Matching, fitted | £6 – £14/m | 25-35m/day |
| Fitted wardrobe (MDF, budget) | 2m wide, hinged doors | £1,200 – £2,500 | 2–3 days |
| Fitted wardrobe (mid-range) | 3m wide, sliding doors | £2,500 – £4,500 | 3–4 days |
| Fitted wardrobe (bespoke oak) | Full-wall, premium finish | £4,500 – £9,500 | 4–7 days |
| Staircase (softwood) | 13-tread, standard pitch | £1,800 – £3,200 | 2–3 days |
| Staircase (oak, bespoke) | 13-tread, cut-string | £3,500 – £6,500 | 3–5 days |
| Kitchen cupboard installation | Flat-pack units, per run of 10 | £450 – £900 | 1–2 days |
| Loft hatch + ladder | Fitted with insulation | £250 – £550 | ½ day |
| Shelving (alcove, fitted) | Made-to-measure, painted ready | £150 – £400/bay | ½–1 day |
All figures include materials, labour and VAT. Softwood and MDF cheapest; hardwood (oak, walnut) adds 40-80%. Staircase work over 3 risers requires Part K Building Regs sign-off.
What's Included in a Fitted Wardrobe Quote
A typical mid-range fitted wardrobe (3m wide, sliding doors). Bespoke made-to-measure dominates cost — flat-pack alternatives are 50-60% cheaper but look it.
Materials (~65%)
- Carcass (MDF or plywood) — £450–£900
- Doors (sliding or hinged) — £500–£1,500 (mirror/glass premium)
- Internal fittings — £200–£600 (rails, shelves, drawers, soft-close)
- Hardware — £100–£300
- Edge banding, trim, fillers — £60–£150
- Timber for frames — £80–£200
Labour & Services (~35%)
- Joiner labour — £500–£1,200 (2-4 days)
- Site measure + design — £80–£200
- Cutting, assembly, install — included
- Scribing to uneven walls — included
- Painting/finishing — usually separate (£200–£600)
- Clean-up + disposal — included
Carpentry Cost by UK Region (Mid-range Fitted Wardrobe)
Significant regional variation — labour is a big share of bespoke joinery, so London runs 20-30% above Midlands.
Common Questions About Carpentry Costs
How much does a fitted wardrobe cost in 2026?
A mid-range 3m fitted wardrobe with sliding doors and full internal shelving costs £2,500-£4,500 in 2026. Budget MDF wardrobes with hinged doors start at £1,200-£2,500; bespoke full-wall wardrobes in hardwood (oak, walnut) run £4,500-£9,500. Main cost drivers: carcass material, door type (hinged cheaper than sliding), and internal fit-out complexity.
How much does it cost to replace a staircase?
A full staircase replacement (13 treads, standard pitch) costs £1,800-£5,500 in 2026. Off-the-shelf softwood staircases start at £1,800-£3,200 including installation; bespoke oak cut-string staircases with balustrades run £3,500-£6,500. Staircase work over 3 risers requires Part K Building Regs compliance.
How much does it cost to hang a single internal door?
Hanging a pre-primed internal door on an existing frame costs £120-£250 in 2026, including hinges, latch and adjustments (1-2 hours labour). Add £80-£250 for the door itself. For whole-house door replacement, per-door costs drop to £100-£180 as the joiner works efficiently through them.
Do I need Building Regs for staircase work?
Yes — any new or replacement staircase with more than 3 risers is Notifiable Work under Part K. Max rise 220mm, min going 220mm, max pitch 42°, min headroom 2m, handrail heights 900mm, balustrade spacing under 100mm sphere rule. A BWF-certified joiner self-certifies via the Competent Person Scheme.
Carpenter vs joiner vs cabinet-maker?
A carpenter works on-site — fitting doors, hanging frames, laying floors. A joiner works in a workshop — making the doors, windows, staircases, cabinets that carpenters install. A cabinet-maker is a specialist joiner for fitted furniture. Most UK trades describe themselves as 'carpenter and joiner'.
How much does skirting board cost per metre installed?
Installed skirting board costs £8-£18/m in 2026. MDF cheapest at £6-£10/m installed, softwood £8-£14/m, solid oak £16-£30/m. Joiners fit 20-30m/day. Whole-house 3-bed refit of skirting and architraves runs £800-£1,800.
Why do bespoke joinery quotes vary so much?
Variance from: timber choice (oak/walnut 3-5x pine), joinery method (dowel vs dovetail), hardware quality (budget vs Blum/Hettich soft-close), finish (paint-ready vs oiled hardwood), scribing precision, BWF certification with warranty. Cheap vs premium can differ 2-3x.
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