I just had an estimate made. My closet is a wall of 12'6" large, 8' high and 14 inches deep to organize. Very basic: an armoire on each end with 4 drawers underneath and two poles in the middle.

With the simplest stuff, the estimate was just over 5500$ (plain melamine). With more decorated doors (and I mean melamine with some sort of molding), it was 7000$. (including taxes, in CAN $)

I have to admit I was a bit... surprised.

Lyne

I just hung high and low rods and bought a small chest of drawers. Throw in an ottoman and you're done. This whole closet 'fittings' and 'container' industry is out of hand!

$5K into your closet? Not mine.

thanks lyne for the response. No have no idea what I will be paying but now at least it gives me an idea. I know people will think it's crazy with the high price but I am planning to help organize my wife's bags and shoes...

I might start looking at ikea to see what the have to offer a well
Thanks

Ikea has nice closet organizers. Also, California closets has a DIY line that they sell through Target, and HD and Lowes also carry DIY closet fixtures that might get you what you want for less than Cal. Closets.

It's one thing to pay a big chunk for a visible office or library built-in, but $5-$7k on a closet is a hefty fine for being able to find your shoes.

There are several closet companies around...Closet Factory, Closets by Design & Calif Closets are just a few.

The two in my area will give you a free estimate and one of them will do it via their website with you choosing what you want in the room. I don't think you should base your decision on quotes from the forum but instead take advantage of the free estimates from companies in your area. Also visit them so you can compare the quality of the product.
I found most of products to be made of the same material but they differed in how well the edges were finished and the type of hardware used. One brand in my area even offers felt-lined drawers.

As sarschlos mentioned there's also DIY lines sold thru the big box stores.
An example of DIY costs: DIL took a small bedroom (11'x11') and made it a walk-in closet using the ClosetMaid brand ....sold at Lowes. The total cost for the room was around $1000 whereas Closet Factory would have been at least $2500.

A pat on the back for helping your wife!!

Do NOT under any circumstances use Closet World (which is also Closets by Design). They are so bad that they have repeatedly had their license revoked and have been the subject of criminal investigations for fraudulent failure to fulfill their contracts. Google them and you will be shocked. I do not say this lightly, as we were victims.

Check into John Louis Home. They're the only one I found with solid wood systems, and we love ours. There are a number of web sites that sell their products. They've got several packages, like a 10' wall worth of system for $300-500 depending on options.

For $4000 for materials we did about 66 feet of wall space, including lots of doors and drawers. We DIY'ed the install.

Here's the look: (not my closet)
{{!gwi}}

Here is a link that might be useful: JLH closet systems

Me again. I went to IKEA tonight for my closet organization. First, let me tell you that I was impressed with what they were offering (I had looked at big box solutions and, hum, I had not been impressed). Two armoires to the ceiling(with shelves, baskets and drawers inside; whatever I wanted) and two poles. Total: 1610$ (plus taxes). Of course, it is not exactly the same level of quality and look, but for almost 5000$, I don't really mind if my closet does not look like my kitchen cabinets. It is all a matter of perspective... Of course, I am not really happy about the week-end it will take to set everything up... but for 5000$ (after taxes) I can certainly work a few hours.... Go take a look!

We did our sons' closet and got a quote on our master recently. We did as someone suggested above and got several quotes and ended up going with Closet Factory. Our master walk-in closet is around 6 by 12 and the quote was $2200. The Closet Factory ones are different than others I've seen in that they're standing cabinet-types that sit on the floor, as opposed to California Closets and others that hang from the wall. Our installer talked up how great it is that they don't pull on your wall; I'm not sure how much difference it really makes.

i've had three california closet system installed, one being a replacement for another lost in katrina. my master closet is 5.5'X15' with two sets of drawers with specialty fronts, hamper rack, 6 racks of hanging rods with open shelving above. all the rest is open shelving. no fancy moulding (unnecessary, believe me!) the cost was at $7k. this also included a little closet with drawers in a separate room. to chisue, my husband calculates the time spent educating, shopping and taking a day on the project not worth the time, energy and money saved. and i suspect that is why closet installation is such a profitable and ever-growing business. after katrina, i did look at a comparable company, but got a poor impression from the sloppy salesman and the estimate came out negligibly less.

the cost will vary depending on the materials, as was stated. if you go with the laminate and don't do a bunch of drawers, you'll find that the price can drop by at least 12-15% (which is basically what i did) it's worth getting the quote, in my opinion.
but as you see from these posts, if you've got the time and muscle, doing it yourself is a far cheaper alternative--and the ikea stuff looks darn good.