Closet remodeling: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering closet remodeling

Closet remodels sell on how much usable space the layout adds, and customers judge the result by how it feels to use every day. Win the job by measuring carefully and showing the layout on a drawing before the customer chooses a finish.

What customers ask

  • How much more storage will I get with this layout?
  • Can the rods and shelves hold heavy winter coats and bags?
  • Can you move the wall to make the closet bigger, and what does that involve?
  • Will the drawers slide smoothly and stay closed under load?
  • Do you add lighting, and will it be switched by the door?

How to win the job

  • On the first visit, measure the closet width, depth and height and check the stud locations at the back and sides, and photograph the walls.
  • Draw the layout with the rods, shelves and drawers at their real sizes, and show the customer the total usable area compared with the closet as it is now.
  • Quote the anchoring method for each heavy item, such as studs and blocking, and state the weight each unit is rated to carry.
  • Name the drawer slide type and its load rating in the quote, and show a sample drawer so the customer sees the box and the front.
  • Include the lighting in the layout, with the fixture type and the switching method named in the quote.
  • Check the floor and the walls for level on the visit, and state in the quote how you will shim or adjust the units.
  • Bring a finish sample and hardware sample so the customer sees the actual look and feel before the order is placed.

What to put on your profile

  • Before and after photos of closets with the layout visible, including the drawer and rod arrangement
  • Close-up photos of drawer boxes, slides and the shelf edge finish
  • A photo of the blocking or the stud anchoring behind a heavy rod or shelf
  • A short note on the materials you use and the weight ratings of your systems

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • A care sheet for the finish and the hardware, with tightening and adjustment steps
  • A check visit after a few months to look at drawer alignment and rod tightness
  • Advice on adding a shoe rack, a jewelry drawer or a lighting strip later, offered only if the customer asks

Licenses and permits

Closet work that changes walls or wiring often needs a building permit and licensed trades, while shelving and drawer installation often does not. Confirm your contractor registration and insurance in your state and locality, and use licensed trades for any wiring you do not perform yourself.

Questions

Should I install a closet system from a kit or build custom?

A kit can work for a standard closet, but a custom build is better for odd sizes, sloped ceilings or heavy loads. Show the customer both options in the quote so the difference in fit and load is clear.

What do I do if the wall has no studs where I need them?

Add blocking between studs or use a rated anchor system, and state the method in the quote. Do not hang a heavy rod on drywall alone.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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