Wardrobe Repair Costs Scope of Works Inspection & fault diagnosis – check plumb, loose cams, dropped hinges, damaged runners or warped panels. Stabilise bas...
Wardrobe repairs in the UK typically cost £60–£350 depending on what's broken and whether it's a freestanding flat-pack, a fitted built-in, or a high-end joinery piece. The most common issues are sliding-door track problems, sagging shelves, broken hinges, and damaged drawer runners — all fixable for less than a replacement.
For freestanding flat-pack wardrobes (IKEA Pax, B&Q Bourne) under £400 new, repair often isn't worth it — replacement parts are cheap from the manufacturer but disassembly damages the chipboard. Fitted wardrobes and bespoke joinery are almost always worth repairing — replacement runs into thousands.
Typical wardrobe repair costs
| Repair | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Sliding door re-track / wheel replacement | £80–£200 |
| Sliding door realignment | £60–£120 |
| Hinge replacement (per door) | £40–£90 |
| Drawer runner replacement | £50–£120 per drawer |
| Sagging shelf repair / replacement | £60–£180 |
| Mirror replacement (sliding door) | £100–£300 |
| Veneer or laminate damage repair | £80–£250 |
| Door realignment (cabinet doors) | £50–£100 per door |
Sliding door repairs
Sliding wardrobe doors (Sharps, Hammonds, IKEA Pax sliding) are the most common repair callout. Three failure modes:
- Wheels worn or broken — the door drags or jumps off the track. Replacement wheels are typically £8–£25 a set. Job time: 30–60 minutes per door.
- Track damaged or warped — usually from impact or excessive force. Top tracks tend to bend; bottom tracks fill with debris and cause jumping. Replacement track £40–£120 plus labour.
- Door dropped / misaligned — adjustment is usually a small allen-key screw at the bottom of each door panel. A pro will sort it in 15 minutes.
Hinge and drawer issues
Modern hinges are usually concealed European-style (Blum, Hettich, Hafele) and almost always replaceable like-for-like. A failed hinge typically lets the door drop or fail to close properly. Replacement is straightforward — £40–£90 per door fitted.
Drawer runners on quality wardrobes are also replaceable. Soft-close runners (Blum Tandembox, Hettich Innotech) cost £15–£45 each plus 30–45 minutes labour. For very old wardrobes with non-standard runners, sourcing parts may be the real problem.
Veneer and laminate damage
Surface scratches and chips are usually cosmetic — a furniture restorer can blend wax sticks (£60–£120 callout) for a fix that's invisible from arm's length. For larger areas of veneer lifting or laminate edge damage, a re-veneer or edge-banding repair is £150–£400 depending on the size.
When to repair vs replace
Use the "is it bespoke or off-the-shelf?" test. Bespoke fitted wardrobes (Sharps, Hammonds, local joinery) — repair every time. Mid-range fitted from B&Q or IKEA Pax — repair if a single part is broken, replace if the carcass is damaged. Cheap freestanding flat-pack — usually cheaper to replace.
Things people often miss
- Brand-specific parts — Sharps and Hammonds use proprietary hinges and runners; not interchangeable with off-the-shelf parts. Need a Sharps/Hammonds engineer or a third-party specialist who carries genuine spares.
- Chipboard vs MDF carcasses — chipboard once damaged (water, screw stripping) is hard to repair structurally. MDF is more forgiving. Knowing which you have informs the repair approach.
- Sliding door weight — full-mirror sliding doors can weigh 30–40 kg. If the wheels keep failing, the doors may be heavier than the original spec — upgrading to heavy-duty wheels (£15–£30 set) often solves it.
- Track cleaning — many sliding-door problems are just dust and lint clogged in the bottom track. A 5-minute vacuum and brush before booking a repair often fixes it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fix sliding wardrobe doors?
£80–£200 for new wheels and realignment, which fixes the vast majority of sliding-door faults. Track replacement is more involved — £150–£300 fitted, depending on the wardrobe size and complexity.
Can a sagging shelf in a fitted wardrobe be saved?
Often yes — adding a centre support bracket or a steel reinforcing strip restores load capacity for £60–£120. If the chipboard has actually broken or split, replacement of the shelf with a thicker MDF panel is the better fix.
Is it worth repairing an IKEA Pax wardrobe?
Depends on the part. Simple swaps (drawer runners, hinges, sliding wheels) are cheap as IKEA stock spares — usually under £30 per part. Anything that needs the carcass disassembled risks damaging the chipboard panels and is borderline. For an entire damaged carcass, replacement is usually the better call.
How long should a fitted wardrobe last?
Quality bespoke joinery (Sharps, Hammonds, local carpenter): 25+ years with periodic maintenance on hinges and runners. Mid-range fitted (IKEA Pax with custom doors): 12–18 years. Budget freestanding flat-pack: 5–10 years before something structural starts to fail.
Can I get parts for an old Sharps or Hammonds wardrobe?
Yes — both brands keep parts available for 15–20 years post-installation, and there are independent specialists who service these brands. Charges are higher than generic furniture parts but the quality matches the original.
What if the wardrobe is bolted to the wall?
Most fitted wardrobes are screwed to the wall and floor for stability. Repairs that don't involve removing carcass panels (door, drawer, shelf, mirror) can be done without un-bolting. Anything requiring carcass dismantling is more involved and typically costs 50–100% more than the equivalent freestanding repair.
Want a local pro to handle this? A furniture repair specialist or carpenter will diagnose and fix most wardrobe faults in a single visit. Cheaper than replacement, particularly for fitted or bespoke pieces.
This guide was written with AI assistance and is intended for general information only. Prices are estimates based on UK averages and may vary by region. Always get at least three quotes and consult a qualified professional before starting any work.