Chest of drawers prices typically range from about $150 for a basic flat-pack unit to $2,500 or more for a solid-wood or custom piece. Size, materials, drawer construction, delivery, and assembly are the main factors that move a quote up or down.
Most buyers pay $400-$900 for a mid-range chest with five to seven drawers. The estimates below reflect common U.S. retail pricing before sales tax; local delivery and assembly may be extra.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic flat-pack chest | $120 | $250 | $450 | Usually engineered wood; self-assembly |
| Mid-range chest | $400 | $700 | $1,100 | More drawer space and sturdier hardware |
| Solid-wood chest | $800 | $1,500 | $3,500+ | Species, joinery, and finish affect price |
| Delivery and room placement | $50 | $100 | $250 | Distance, stairs, and service level matter |
| Assembly service | $60 | $120 | $250 | Often priced by item or labor time |
What a five- to seven-drawer chest usually costs
A standard chest measuring roughly 30-40 inches wide and 45-55 inches high commonly costs $300-$1,000. The average retail price is about $600-$750 for a ready-to-assemble or partially assembled model with a laminate, veneer, or mixed-material finish. A narrow three- or four-drawer unit may cost $150-$500, while a wider chest with six to eight drawers often runs $500-$1,500.
Small dimensions do not always mean low prices. Solid hardwood, dovetail drawer joints, soft-close slides, and a factory-applied finish can push a 30-inch-wide chest above $1,000. A large particleboard unit may cost less than $400, but its weight capacity, moisture resistance, and hardware may be more limited.
For a typical bedroom purchase, budgeting $500-$900 covers many durable, mid-range options before delivery. Prices reflect national retail ranges rather than a fixed quote; designer brands, custom dimensions, and specialty finishes can exceed the high end.
Assumptions: Standard 30-40-inch width, five to seven drawers, new retail furniture, no sales tax or unusual delivery access.
How wood, drawer hardware, and labor shape the quote
Furniture pricing combines the cabinet materials and construction with factory labor, retail overhead, and any delivery or assembly services. Store listings may bundle some of these expenses into the item price, so a low sticker price is not always the lowest delivered cost.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes the charge | Often included? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials and finish | $100-$900 | Engineered wood, veneer, solid wood, stain, or paint | Yes, in item price |
| Drawer slides and pulls | $20-$180 | Basic runners versus metal or soft-close hardware | Yes, in item price |
| Factory assembly labor | $40-$250 | Preassembled cabinet or knockdown packaging | Usually |
| In-home assembly | $60-$250 | Drawer count, assembly complexity, and local rates | Often extra |
| Delivery and placement | $50-$250 | Distance, stairs, room placement, and haul-away | Sometimes |
Retail furniture does not usually have a separately itemized labor bill, but an assembly service can be estimated by time. A one- to two-hour job at $50-$100 per hour produces a labor charge of about $50-$200, before minimum fees or travel charges. Larger units or complicated hardware may take longer.
Ask whether the quoted delivery includes room placement, packaging removal, and assembly. Those details can add $50-$200 to the total if they are excluded.
Which dimensions, wood grades, and drawer counts raise prices?
Width and drawer count affect material use and construction time. A chest under 30 inches wide with three or four drawers may be $150-$500; a 36-48-inch model with six or seven drawers often costs $400-$1,200. Pieces wider than 48 inches or taller than 60 inches commonly start around $700 and can exceed $2,000 when built from solid hardwood.
Material is another major price divider. Particleboard or MDF models generally fall around $120-$500, depending on size and finish. Veneered or mixed-material chests often cost $350-$1,200. Solid pine or rubberwood pieces commonly range from $600-$1,800, while oak, maple, walnut, and other premium hardwood options may run $1,000-$3,500 or more.
Construction details matter even when two chests use similar wood. Dovetail joints, full-extension metal slides, soft-close mechanisms, dust panels, and thicker backs can add $100-$500 compared with basic construction. A custom color, unusual dimensions, or furniture-grade finish may add another 20%-60% over a comparable standard model.
Compare the usable drawer dimensions and hardware, not just the exterior width. A wider cabinet with shallow drawers may provide less practical storage than a narrower chest with deeper drawers.
Assumptions: Price bands compare new retail furniture in common residential sizes; custom shops and premium designer lines may price well above these ranges.
Where U.S. delivery and furniture prices run higher
Furniture prices vary by retailer, local competition, and shipping distance. In large metropolitan areas on the coasts, comparable mid-range chests may cost about 5%-20% more than in lower-cost markets, especially when the item is sold through a local showroom or specialty brand. Rural shoppers may see fewer local choices and delivery charges that are 10%-30% higher when a truck travels farther.
Online prices can look more consistent nationwide, but freight and placement fees vary by zip code. A curbside drop-off may be included in a promotion, while threshold or room-of-choice delivery can add $50-$150. Carrying a heavy chest up stairs, navigating a narrow hallway, or removing an old piece can bring the total delivery bill to $150-$300.
Local taxes also affect the amount paid at checkout. Depending on the state and city, sales tax can add roughly 0%-10% to the purchase. For a $700 chest, a 7% rate adds $49; tax is usually calculated on the taxable item and may also apply to delivery or assembly depending on local rules.
Compare the delivered total for the same model, not just the displayed furniture price. Before ordering, confirm the delivery zone, access limits, scheduling window, and whether the carrier will place the chest in the desired room.
When does solid wood justify its higher price?
A low-cost engineered-wood chest can be the practical choice for a temporary room, limited budget, or space where the furniture will not be moved often. At $120-$450, these models can provide ample storage, but exposed edges and fasteners may be less resistant to repeated moves, heavy loads, or moisture than a well-built wood cabinet.
Veneer over a stable core offers a middle ground, often at $350-$1,200. It can deliver a wood appearance without the price of an all-hardwood piece. Buyers should check whether drawer fronts and visible side panels are veneered and whether the finish can be cleaned with ordinary furniture care products.
Solid wood can cost $800-$3,500+, but its value depends on construction quality, not the material label alone. A sturdy frame, sound drawer joints, replaceable hardware, and repairable finish can extend useful life. A solid-wood chest with weak slides may still perform poorly, so drawer load capacity and construction details are worth checking.
Choose the least expensive construction that meets the expected years of use and storage needs. Paying a premium for solid wood may not make financial sense if the chest is for a short-term rental or likely to be replaced during a move.
What do three common bedroom furniture quotes include?
A basic four-drawer chest measuring about 28 inches wide may list for $220. With $75 delivery and $90 assembly, the pre-tax total is about $385. This estimate assumes a flat-pack engineered-wood model, standard ground-floor access, and no old-furniture removal.
A mid-range six-drawer chest around 36 inches wide may cost $650-$850. Add $80-$140 for room-of-choice delivery and $100-$160 for assembly, bringing the total to roughly $830-$1,150 before tax. This scenario assumes a veneer or mixed-material cabinet, metal slides, and ordinary access.
A solid-oak chest about 42 inches wide may cost $1,400-$2,200. Delivery and placement can add $100-$250, while assembly may be unnecessary if the item arrives built. A realistic pre-tax total is $1,500-$2,450, with custom finishes or premium hardware potentially increasing the quote.
| Example | Item price | Delivery and labor | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four-drawer engineered wood | $220 | $165 | $385 |
| Six-drawer mid-range | $650-$850 | $180-$300 | $830-$1,150 |
| Solid-oak chest | $1,400-$2,200 | $100-$250 | $1,500-$2,450 |
Assumptions: Typical U.S. retail pricing, standard delivery access, and no tax; actual quotes depend on brand, region, and service terms.
How long assembly takes and what installers charge
A simple flat-pack chest with three or four drawers may take one person two to four hours to assemble. A larger six- to eight-drawer unit can take three to six hours, particularly when drawer slides, handles, and alignment require adjustment. Two people may shorten the elapsed time, but a service provider can still charge for crew labor or a minimum visit.
Furniture assembly rates commonly run $50-$100 per hour, with minimum charges around $60-$125. A fixed-price quote for a basic chest often lands between $60 and $150; complex units, wall anchoring, or multiple items can raise the charge to $150-$250. Rates tend to be higher in expensive cities and where travel or parking is difficult.
Professional assembly is not the only added service to consider. Delivery may be curbside, threshold, or room-of-choice, and packaging removal may be a separate fee. If an old chest must be taken away, haul-away often costs $30-$100, though some retailers offer removal only with delivery.
Check the item’s assembly instructions and service inclusions before accepting an installation quote. A chest delivered fully assembled may cost more upfront but avoid a separate labor charge and reduce the risk of incorrect drawer alignment.
Which cost choices can lower a chest of drawers quote?
Set a maximum outside width and height before shopping, then compare only pieces that fit the room. Choosing a standard 30-36-inch size and a common finish can avoid custom-order premiums of 20%-60%. A simpler pull, standard stain, or non-soft-close slide may also reduce price without sacrificing essential storage.
Compare assembled and flat-pack prices against the real labor cost. If the flat-pack model saves $100 but requires a $120 assembly visit, it may not be the cheaper option. For confident buyers, self-assembly can eliminate that fee; checking that all parts are included before starting helps avoid paid return visits or replacement-part delays.
Look at retailer promotions and delivery bundles, but compare the final invoice rather than the discount percentage. A sale price that excludes room placement or haul-away may cost more than a regular-priced offer with delivery included. Multiple furniture items ordered together can sometimes reduce delivery charges, although bundled services should be confirmed in writing.
Used furniture can cost substantially less: common secondhand chests may sell for $50-$400, with solid-wood pieces sometimes priced higher. Inspect drawer movement, joints, odors, water damage, and stability before purchase. Transport, refinishing, or hardware replacement can add $50-$300, so include those expenses when comparing a used item with a new budget model.
The most reliable savings usually come from standard sizing, simple finishes, and a clear delivery quote. Avoid paying for features that do not improve the chest’s storage, durability, or fit in the intended room.