01Overview
Built-in bookcases are priced mainly by the area of the wall, its width times its height, and then by the finish. Next come the lower section, base cabinets or open shelving, and the extras: a desk, a ladder, lighting. The table shows indicative installed ranges for walls with closed base cabinets and 12-inch shelves.
The figures come from the same model as the Library Worx designer. Your fixed price follows the site measure.
02Typical prices
| Size and layout | Painted | White oak | Walnut |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 ft wide × 8 ft high, closed base cabinets | $11,500 – $14,000 | $14,000 – $17,000 | $15,500 – $19,000 |
| 10 ft wide × 9 ft high, closed base cabinets | $15,500 – $19,000 | $19,000 – $23,500 | $21,500 – $26,000 |
| 12 ft wide × 9 ft high, closed base cabinets | $18,500 – $22,500 | $23,000 – $28,000 | $25,500 – $31,000 |
| 16 ft wide × 9 ft high, closed base cabinets | $25,000 – $30,500 | $30,500 – $37,500 | $34,000 – $41,500 |
| 20 ft wide × 10 ft high, closed base cabinets | $34,000 – $41,000 | $42,000 – $51,000 | $46,500 – $56,500 |
| 24 ft wide × 10 ft high, closed base cabinets | $40,500 – $49,500 | $50,000 – $61,000 | $55,500 – $67,500 |
Ranges are for the finish named in each column. Two-tone, fluted and stone options are priced in the designer.
03What each budget looks like
Four real designs from the designer, from the least to the most involved, each with its indicative installed range.
A ten-foot painted study in navy with a built-in desk bay and LED under every shelf.
Open this look in the designer →
Twelve feet of white oak around a window, with a cushioned seat, closed cabinets and LED under every shelf.
Open this look in the designer →
Sixteen feet of smoked oak around a doorway, bridging over the head, with picture lights on every bay.
Open this look in the designer →
Eighteen feet of walnut around a fireplace, under ten-foot ceilings, with a ladder on a brass rail and picture lights.
Open this look in the designer →04What moves the price
Each change below is measured against a 12 ft white oak wall, 9 ft ceiling, closed base cabinets, 12-inch shelves, which comes to about $23,000 – $28,000.
Built around a window, with a seat
About the sameBuilding around a window replaces shelving with the opening, but it adds returns, a bridge above and a window seat. The two roughly cancel out.
Built around a fireplace
About the sameFraming a fireplace replaces shelving with a marble surround, a mantel and a paneled overmantel. It costs about the same as shelving the whole wall.
Open shelving to the floor instead of base cabinets
−$5,050Open shelving to the floor removes the doors, hinges and countertop ledge of a closed base, so it is the biggest saving.
14-inch shelves instead of 12-inch
+$2,000Deeper shelves use more material on every shelf and side panel. Choose them for art books and records.
A built-in desk bay
+$3,800A desk bay replaces a bay of shelves with a work surface, a drawer and a task light.
A library ladder on a rail (9 ft ceilings and up)
+$4,200A ladder on a rail needs a ceiling of at least 9 feet, a continuous rail and reinforced fixing points.
LED under every shelf
+$1,700LED under every shelf means more channel, more wiring and more drivers, priced per bay.
Picture lights
+$1,300A picture light over each bay is simpler than lighting every shelf, and it still washes the books with light.
Walnut instead of white oak
+$2,700Walnut costs more than oak and is finished clear, so the boards have to be matched carefully.
05What's included
Included
- Design, including the free design visit and your online design
- Site measure and shop drawings
- Shelving, base cabinets, crown and returns
- Delivery, installation and sign-off
Not included
- Electrical work for lighting, by a licensed electrician
- Fireplace inserts, gas or venting work
- Painting the room beyond the built-in
- Moving or replacing radiators
06How to keep the cost down
- Go open to the floor in a study, and keep closed base cabinets for living rooms.
- Light every other shelf, or use picture lights, instead of LED under every shelf.
- Choose 12-inch shelves unless you need 14 inches for art books or records.
- Build around an existing window or fireplace instead of covering it. It adds character for roughly the same cost.
07Timeline
About 4 — 5 weeks from signed drawings. Most projects go from the online design to a site measure within a week or two, then to drawings and a fixed price. Fabrication starts when you sign.
08Questions about cost
Is it cheaper per foot to build a wider wall?
Yes. Fixed costs like the design, measure and setup are spread over more wall.
Do built-ins cost more than freestanding bookcases?
Usually. But they are built to the room, run floor to ceiling and won't tip, and they stay with the home.
Are the shelves adjustable?
Yes, on concealed pins, except for any fixed shelves that keep the case rigid.
Can I add lighting later?
It's much easier to plan the wiring now, even if the lights come later.