Built-in Entertainment Center Costs
A built-in entertainment center is an attractive way to add value to your home and save space when accommodating all of your personal effects. Whether you have a full entertainment system or just a cable box and a few game systems, having a good entertainment center can make all the difference. A built-in will provide you with something that lasts and save you from buying cheap pre-fabricated furniture that is rarely worth the cost.
The cost to build and install a built-in entertainment center depends largely on the size of the unit and the type of wood or other material used to construct it. You can have them custom designed by a professional designer, or even choose a modular kit that may be more affordable to build in than a custom shelving unit.
Built-in entertainment center: 10’x10’ built-in entertainment center costs, including a range for various types of materials and accessories, as well as labor costs and the option to hire a designer to custom design the unit.
| Item | Unit Cost | Quantity | Line Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak lumber | $14-$15 per sq.ft. | 100 | $1,400-$1,500 |
| Accessories, hardware, and other materials | $100-$400 per project | 1 | $100-$400 |
| Labor Cost (installation) | $70 per hour | 24-48 | $1,680-$3,360 |
| Labor (designer fee) | $200-$300 per project | 1 | $200-$300 |
| Total Cost | $33.80-$55.60 per sq.ft. | 100 | $3,380-$5,560 |
Other considerations and costs
- Custom-built oak shelves are among the more expensive options. Other materials, such as pine or spruce, offer a more affordable product. They are not going to improve the resale value as much, but they can often be painted or stained to look just as good as a more expensive product.
- You should hire a carpenter for this project because all measurements and cuts will need to be exact. Plus, they can often create custom spaces for your entertainment devices and give you a much better-finished product.
- If you are having other renovation work done or building a unit into new construction, the costs will generally be lower because there will be less demolition, prep work, and retrofitting involved.
Check out our guide if you need a loan for your home improvement project.
DIY considerations
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If you are a skilled carpenter, you can save labor costs and create your own built-in shelving. Otherwise, you should leave the work to the professionals. Consider doing some of the demo work or purchasing a built-in kit to help reduce project costs in other ways.
References
- Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2019.
- Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
- Literature review of DIY Web sites.