Closet Contractors: Can They Really Hook You Up?

So you have closet problems. It seems like everyone does these days. Hell, R. Kelly got trapped in his closet! Maybe he should’ve contacted his local closet contractor to give him a hand. However, is this burgeoning trend of closet contracting all that it’s cracked up to be? Well, it depends on what you plan on doing with your closet.

What is it?

Closet contractors, also known as professional closet organizers, are hired by you to attend to all of your closet needs. Their specialties can range from any number of things including: the construction of shelves, cabinets, and rods; installing wood doors (ranging from laminate, solid wood, and hollow); converting closets into walk-in closets (that is, if it’s physically possible); suggesting hints that can help expand closet space; and in some cases, extra light installation (although an electrician may be better suited for this job). Essentially, a good closet contractor should be able to help you design, as well as organize your closet.

Of course, in this day and age of Do-It-Yourself thinkers, numerous closet organizer kits and systems are available in any average hardware store. Kits will generally contain all shelving, hardware, and other various components needed. Also, most of these kits come with adjustable parts so you don’t have to saw anything. The only handiwork that will probably be required will be some drilling for basic assembly.

There is also the possibility of purchasing a closet organizer system, which will most likely cost more than a kit, but will be pre-assembled to minimize your workload. Mainly you just have to know the measurements of your closet space so as to know what size organizer system you will need. Shoe racks, shelves, and drawers are common features included in closet organizer systems.

In many cases, closet organization and reconstruction is a matter of maximizing a limited amount of space for the best possible results. So be aware that a construction job will most likely require you or a hired contractor to gut out your closet and its old layout. If this seems extreme, then it’s best to purchase an organizer system and simply rearrange the layout of your closet. Either way, you’re going to need to do some planning, which is something a closet contractor can assist you with.

Who needs it?

If you’re closet is a mess or you’re running out of space to store your collection of say, Cabbage Patch dolls, then a viable solution would be closet organization. This is especially true of those who live in cramped quarters, such as a small apartment or a panic room (if you’re lucky, or paranoid, enough to have one). Just remember, it’s your closet so you need to know what you’re going to use it for. What you plan on storing will dictate the proper layout of the closet.

Benefits

The obvious benefit to closet reconstruction and organization is that it will allow for more room and, ideally, do so in a tidy fashion. But the real benefits again, depend on what you have in mind for your closet project. It is generally believed that Doing-It-Yourself will always save you money in comparison to hiring a professional contractor, which is not always the case.

For instance, you have to take into account that you need the proper tools for a closet construction job. If you have a good amount of the tools needed already (which may include items like a circular saw, closet rod sockets, and hollow wall anchors), then it may be wise to do it yourself, especially if you’re just hanging shelves or installing racks. However, if you don’t own the proper tools, is it really worth the trouble to buy them for this one specific occasion and possibly never use them again? Really, the benefits depend on how well you plan the project.

Risks

If you plan to build your own organizing system without the help of hired professionals, you should, at the very least, have rudimentary knowledge of construction, as well as the proper tools. Just because a closet seems like a low-key job doesn’t necessarily mean it is. Also, it’s advised that you enquire the help of someone else, as an extra set of hands will make the job a lot easier.

The bottom line

Extra space can be made in a closet just by simply rearranging or by purchasing extra racks and organizer systems. However, if you’re looking for a larger scale job, like one that involves an actual set of tools, then hiring a closet contractor will be extremely helpful. Especially if you’re claustrophobic.