Search thousands of topics on CostHelper

BROWSE ALL TOPICS >> babies & children  cars  consumer electronics health & personal care home & garden personal finance  pets  schools small business sports weddings
CostHelper > Home and Garden  > Construction & Renovation > Built In Shelves

Built In Shelves Cost


How Much Do Built In Shelves Cost?

 
low costDo-It-Yourself:$140-$500average costHandyman: Around $1,400high costCarpenter: $2,000-$5,000+

Built-in shelving can be a space-saving way to take advantage of wall space while adding personality and flair to a room. Typically trim and molding are used to add architectural flair.

Typical costs:

  • A do-it-yourself built-in bookcase using 3/4-inch veneer plywood and trim takes about 8 hours and $200-$500 worth of materials, according to ThisOldHouse.com[1] . HGTV.com describes a corner built-in plywood bookcase[2] for a weekend's worth of work and about $140 in cabinet-grade plywood and other materials.
  • Veneer plywood is often used because it's stronger than soft woods like pine; ThisOldHouse.com says buying enough oak or other high-quality lumber for an 8-foot bookcase could cost thousands of dollars and FamilyHandman.com estimates that a built-in oak bookcase 8 feet high and 12 feet long takes about $1,400 in materials, including hardware and finish.
  • For basic built-in bookshelves, you might hire a home handyman for anywhere from $30-$125 an hour, or negotiate a flat rate for the labor for the project. Exact costs will depend on the complexity of the unit and the going rate in your area. Be sure the handyman has the expertise to determine proper weight loads (so the shelves don't sag over the years) or is following a published plan so all the calculations have already been made. PlansNow.com sells step-by-step instructions[3] for $9.95 for an easy-to-build floor-to-ceiling wall of bookshelves using about $350 in materials.
  • Hiring a finish carpenter or a furniture builder to create one-of-a-kind built-in shelving units for your home can require hours of labor. Total costs can run $2,000-$5,000 and up, not including the cost of lumber and other materials. Prices vary based on complexity and standard labor charges in your area. Rates for finish carpenters or furniture makers in urban areas on either coast are often twice what they are in the Midwest.
Related articles: Wainscoting, Custom Closet System, Crown Molding, Drywall

What should be included:
  • Built-in custom shelving can add character and a sense of permanence to a room, and it can also provide for more efficient use of space -- if properly designed. FineWoodworking.com provides a brief history of built-in furniture and ThisOldHouse.com gives tips[4] for designing and building built-in bookcases.
Additional costs:
  • Black & Decker publishes a Complete Guide to Custom Shelves & Built-ins[5] that retails for $24.95.
Shopping for built in shelves:
  • Find examples of the style you want. ThisOldHouse.com displays twelve ideas for built-in storage[6] ; and CustomMade.com presents a gallery of projects by craftsmen nationwide, including a basic open bookcase[7] and a partially enclosed unit with recessed lighting[8] .
  • Get several estimates, making sure they're all for the same materials and specific design. Request and check references; ask about length and type of experience. Ask family and friends for recommendations, or check with local cabinetry makers or hardware stores for recommendations.
  • The final written contract should include cost, payment schedule, start and completion date, plus a detailed description of the work to be done and the materials to be used. The payment schedule should be based on the pace of work and when materials are delivered to the site; do not pay the full cost until the work is completed to your satisfaction.
post Post   Comments (1)  
CostHelper News


7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd
As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013


7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget
End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013

‣ All CostHelper Blog Posts


What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Built in 4’x8’x20”(depth)
Amount: $2,150.00 per bookshelf
Posted by: Erika Bruning in Huntsville, AL.Posted: November 25th, 2018 11:11PM
Contractor: CarpenterType of Wood: Plywood/poplar/pine
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam


 

Comment On Your Experience With Built In Shelves
 
Subject:  *
Amount Spent:  * per bookshelf
Contractor: Type of Wood: 
Comments: 
Purchased:  Year: 
City:  * State:  *
 
Information about you:
Email:  * Email addresses are not displayed.
Name:  This is the name we'll display with your post.
me on this computer
*=required field.
 



External Resources:
  1.  www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/overview/0,,1080823,00.html
  2.  www.hgtv.com/home-improvement/built-in-bookshelves/index.html
  3.  www.plansnow.com/dn1119.html
  4.  www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,524753,00.html
  5.  www.qbookshop.com/blackanddeckerbooks.com/
  6.  www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20155914,00.html
  7.  www.custommade.com/by/tonycustomwood/
  8.  www.custommade.com/by/northwindwoodwork/
More Home and Garden Topics
Check Out All Costs for Home and Garden How Much Does Garden Service Cost? How Much Does a Kitchen Remodeling Cost? How Much Does a Propane Tank Cost?

Search Thousands of Topics on CostHelper.com

 
Today's Featured Cost Articles

About CostHelper
CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community
UTI urgent care visit
Paid: 147.00
Visit was $135. Antibiotics was $12. Waiting for four hours in the waiting room and the visit was quick... [more]
-nervouschomper
Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Cost
Spanish Medical Interpreter
Paid: 150.00
I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly... [more]
-Gregory Richardson
Interpreter Cost
Dat
Paid: 495.00
This is how much I am paying... [more]
-Calista Christian
Dental Admission Test Cost
Shingrix
Paid: 48.00
... [more]
-Not that BB
Shingles Vaccine Cost
Skin prick allergy test
Paid: 573.00
Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left... [more]
-D’s mom
Allergy Testing Cost
Estimate for Teeth Cleaning Cat
Paid: 0.00
13 year old cat …teeth extractions, X-rays, blood work, anesthetic, cleaning estimate 2 to 3 thousand... [more]
-Terrimarie
Cat Teeth Cleaning Cost