Decorating & finishing
Shelving and storage cost calculator
Putting up shelves is the classic first DIY job. It takes an afternoon, needs just a few tools, and teaches the skills behind harder jobs: finding the right fixing, levelling and drilling safely.
- Full DIY
- £110
- Smart Hybrid
- £110
- Full Trade
- £300
Typical mid-range job, Midlands rates. Yours updates below.
Updated November 2026. Estimates based on typical UK prices.
Cost calculator
Price this job three ways
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Smart Hybrid saves £190 against a full trade job.
Smart Hybrid
You take on what you can, a trade handles the rest.
£110
- Materials
- £112
- Labour
- £0
- You take on: fit the shelves.
- Everything else stays with a trade.
- Scan for pipes and cables before you drill, every time.
Turn this into a plan
Get the order of work, who to book and a budget tracker, all editable.
Order of work for this job
A typical order. Always confirm timing with whoever you book, since some steps can overlap.
- 1
Fitting
- Fit the shelvesYou · ~0.75 days
How we worked out the materials›
- Shelf boards£643 shelves of 0.9 m, 2 per 2.4 m board = 2 boards
- Brackets£362 brackets per 0.9 m shelf (one every 0.6 m, at least 2) × 3
- Wall plugs and screws£1212 fixing points, 8 per pack
Estimates only, based on regional averages. Always get 2 to 3 written quotes from local trades.
The price
What affects the cost?
- 1
Shelf material
Pine and MDF are cheapest. Solid oak or reclaimed scaffold boards cost more but look better.
- 2
Brackets or floating fixings
Floating shelves need hidden brackets that cost more than simple L brackets.
- 3
Wall type
Solid masonry, stud partition and plasterboard each need different fixings.
- 4
Alcove or fitted units
Custom fitted storage needs carpentry skills and more materials.
- 5
Weight to be held
Heavy books or a TV unit need stronger brackets and more fixings.
Be honest with yourself
Can you do this yourself?
You can do
- Fixing shelves and brackets
- Fitting floating shelves
- Building simple alcove shelving
- Painting or staining shelves
Leave to a pro
- Large fitted alcove units and wardrobes
- Anything holding heavy loads on a stud or plasterboard wall
The rules
No regulations apply. Always check for hidden pipes and cables before drilling.
DIY guide
How to put up a shelf, step by step
Tools you'll need
- Cordless drill and bits (masonry and wood)
- Pipe and cable detector
- Spirit level
- Pencil and tape measure
- Screwdriver
Materials
- Shelves
- Brackets or floating fixings
- Correct wall plugs and screws
- Cavity fixings for hollow walls
- 1
Choose the position and load
~0.25 daysDecide the height and length, and what the shelf will hold. Heavy loads need more brackets and stronger fixings. For longer shelves, plan a bracket every 40–60 cm.
- 2
Check the wall for pipes and cables
~0.25 daysRun a pipe and cable detector over the area you plan to drill. Avoid drilling in a line directly above or below sockets and switches.
Hitting a cable or pipe can be dangerous. Always scan before you drill.
- 3
Mark a level line
~0.25 daysHold the shelf where you want it and draw a pencil line along the top with a spirit level. Mark the bracket positions along the line.
- 4
Drill and plug the holes
~0.25 daysUse a masonry bit on brick or block and the correct size plug. For plasterboard, use cavity fixings. For timber studs, fix straight into the stud with wood screws.
Tip: Wrap masking tape round the drill bit at the depth of the plug so you stop at the right depth.
- 5
Fix the brackets
~0.25 daysScrew the brackets to the wall along your level line and check each one is level before you tighten fully.
- 6
Fit the shelf and test
~0.25 daysPlace the shelf, fix it from below or through the bracket, and check it is level. Press down firmly to test before loading it.
Learn from others
Common mistakes to avoid
- Drilling without checking for cables and pipes
- Using the wrong plug for the wall, so the shelf pulls out
- Not using a spirit level, which gives a sloping shelf
- Putting heavy items on a shelf fixed into plasterboard only
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to put up shelves?
For three 90 cm shelves on brackets in mid-range timber, the materials come to around £110 doing it yourself, or £300 with a carpenter. Floating shelves, solid oak and heavier loads cost more.
How do I put up a shelf on a plasterboard wall?
Find the timber studs with a detector and fix into them where you can. Where you cannot, use proper cavity fixings rated for the load. Plasterboard on its own holds very little weight, so keep heavy books or a TV unit for studs or masonry.
How far apart should shelf brackets be?
About every 40–60 cm for a typical shelf, with at least two brackets. Heavier loads need brackets closer together and fixed into strong material.
Can I put up shelves myself?
Yes. It is the classic first DIY job and takes an afternoon. All you need is a drill, a spirit level and a pipe and cable detector, so you never drill into a hidden cable or pipe.
Ready to plan it?
Add this job to your renovation plan to get the order of work, who to book and a budget you can track.