Fitted wardrobes only look effortless if the survey behind them has been done properly. A piece built to fit a room exactly has to account for all the small imperfections that every home has, and this is where a careful survey earns its keep. Here is what we actually check and why.
This stage does not get much attention in most conversations about fitted furniture, but it is often the difference between a wardrobe that looks like it was always there and one that never quite sits right.
Why walls are rarely as straight as they look
Most homeowners assume their walls are flat and their corners are square, and to the eye they usually are. In reality, plaster thickness varies, stud walls can bow slightly over their length, and older properties in particular often have walls that lean by a few degrees without it being obvious to look at.
We check this with a long spirit level and straight edge run across the wall in several places, not just one spot check. A wardrobe carcass built to a single measurement without allowing for this will end up with visible gaps at the top, side or back once it is in place, which is one of the most common complaints we hear about wardrobes fitted by less careful companies.
Checking the floor
Floors move too, sometimes more than walls. A slight slope across a bedroom floor is common, especially in older houses, and if it is not measured properly the doors on a finished wardrobe can end up hanging unevenly or catching on the frame.
We use a spirit level across the width of the space and note any fall from one side to the other. This gets built into the design, either through adjustable feet on the carcass or a scribed plinth that follows the actual floor line rather than an assumed flat one.
Ceiling height and any changes across the run
For wardrobes running floor to ceiling, or close to it, we measure the height at both ends of the run and in the middle if the space is wide. Ceilings can dip or rise slightly, particularly where a loft conversion or previous renovation has taken place above.
Getting this measurement right at survey stage means the top of the wardrobe carcass, and any scribe or fillet piece used to close the gap to the ceiling, can be cut to match the actual shape of the room rather than needing awkward on site adjustments later.
Skirting boards and how they affect the design
Skirting boards along the back or side wall of a wardrobe run need to be either scribed around or removed and the wardrobe carcass notched to sit flush against the wall. We measure the depth and profile of the existing skirting at survey stage so this can be planned into the build rather than dealt with awkwardly on the day of fitting.
Where skirting is a particularly deep or ornate period profile, we discuss with you whether to match it, remove a short section, or set the wardrobe slightly forward, since each option has a different look and a different cost implication.
- Skirting depth and profile measured along the run
- Decision on scribing, notching or removing a section
- Matching new skirting where a section is removed
- Impact on internal depth of the wardrobe carcass
Sockets, pipes and other service runs
Before anything is designed we check for sockets, light switches, radiators, and where possible get an idea of pipe or cable runs behind the wall, particularly around chimney breasts and shared walls with bathrooms above or below. Building a wardrobe over a socket without a plan for it means either an awkward gap or an extension lead trailing out from underneath, neither of which looks good.
Where a socket needs to remain accessible, we can design an access panel or reroute shelving around it, but this all has to be decided before the carcass is built in the workshop, not discovered on fitting day.
- Location of all sockets and switches within the wardrobe footprint
- Radiators or pipework that affect depth or clearance
- Loft hatches or other access points nearby
- Any visible signs of damp or previous repair work
Template making for awkward shapes
Where a room has an unusual angle, a chimney breast alcove, or a sloped ceiling in a loft conversion, a tape measure alone is not always enough. In these cases we make a template, often from thin board or card, that follows the exact shape of the space, which is then taken back to the workshop and used to mark out the panels precisely.
This extra step takes a little longer at survey stage but avoids the far more costly mistake of building a piece that does not actually fit the space, which would mean remaking sections back at the workshop and delaying the job considerably.
Getting in touch to arrange a survey
If you are thinking about fitted wardrobes and want to understand what a proper survey looks like for your own room, call us on 02380 201687 or 07833 227576, or email info@vipwalls.co.uk. We are happy to visit, measure up properly and talk you through the options before anything is designed.
Common questions
- How long does a survey for fitted wardrobes take?
- For a straightforward single room it usually takes around thirty minutes to an hour, longer if the space has awkward angles or needs a template making.
- What if my walls are noticeably out of square?
- This is common and not a problem in itself, since we design the carcass and any scribe pieces to account for it. It only becomes an issue if it is not measured properly in the first place.
- Do I need to move furniture before the survey?
- It helps if the area around the wall being measured is reasonably clear, but a full room clearance is not usually needed at survey stage, only before fitting begins.
- What happens if something is found behind the wall once fitting starts?
- This is rare if the survey has been thorough, but if anything unexpected turns up, such as a hidden pipe, we would stop and discuss options with you before continuing.
- Is there a charge for the survey visit?
- No, the survey and measuring visit is included as part of our free, no obligation quote for fitted wardrobes.
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