I do Pax closets all the time DIY and Ilove doing them . I think it really depends on your skill set and what you are planning to do for the closet . Closets can be as simple or complicated as you wish . Ithink you need to decide if this is something you can do.

We just did our second Elfa closet. We are middle-of-the-road DIYers, but it is a pretty easy/straightforward installation (just need a drill and a level, and an hour or so of time). I definitely wouldn't pay someone--the components are already expensive enough, and it's not a particularly involved DIY project. No idea how it compares to Modular Closets, though.

My husband and I did an IKEA closet in our previous house and I loved it. They have an online program to add your dimensions and see what options can work. It was a small walk in and became the most efficient closet ever haha.

After assembling a couple of the units it became very quick and easy. We did it all in a weekend.

I've used the Elfa system in 2 houses (reach-in and walk-in closets and pantry) and really like it. I have paid for the installation in all of the projects. It isn't rocket science, but it helps if you have seen someone install it first. Had I used the Elfa system when my Father and I were both younger, I would have certainly tackled it as a DIY project with his help. DH isn't handy for stuff like that, so I wasn't going to do it on my own. Also remember that projects always look easier when you are watching it being installed by someone who works with the product every single day!!

I usually do my own interior painting ... and I always wish I had paid someone else to do it while I am in the middle of the project! lol

We just bought the wire system fro Home Depot and customized it for 2 closets; had enough left over to do a small 3rd closet.

Thank you for your insights. We are definitely DIYers, and are handy, the problem is we are putting in a fence, garage floor, baker's pantry, walk in pantry, built-ins, new floorings, lights, counters, sink and closets. We took free builder grade stuff so we could custom it to our liking. (55+ home and not customizable) Some is hired out some is DIY and I'm trying to shorten our DIY list.

Just be patient, you can't do it all at once. Take one job at a time.

We have done three walk in closets now with one in a new build and the other two tearing out some bad wire shelf systems that came with the houses. Two were Ikea with the most recent being Aurdal and it was easy to do with a rail hanging system. Ikea's online program was helpful in designing the closet but it's modular enough you can make changes as you go. Ikea delivered all the components for a very reasonable delivery charge and we were able to return everything we didn't use even if it was opened.

Ikea's Aurdal is a bit cheaper than Ikea's Pax and perhaps not as sturdy but I find it works well in our closet, was a bit easier and cheaper than Pax and is still sturdy 2.5 years later. Plus much easier to carry upstairs than the Pax pieces which are heavy.

You will need to mount rails into your wall whereas Pax stands alone and is attached to the wall at the end but can be a challenge to assemble in a small closet or navigate through a small door. I used the Aurdal wire baskets in our last design and found they worked great for jeans or tshirts. You are limited to a 22" wide shelf or basket with the Aurdal system. We also use Pax as wardrobes outside of our closet as well and it's great as a wardrobe but didn't fit in our modest walk in.

Ikea also offers Elvarli which is similar to an older design we used on our first house and it is probably the easiest to install and easy to reconfigure. We liked the look of the grey Aurdal so went with that.

If you don't have an Ikea nearby you can buy ClosetMaid at Home Depot or Lowes and they have a free design tool online too at https://design.closetmaid.com/en-US/Design/EasyToUSe. We used that system in our last house but I think I prefer the Aurdal.

We found the designs the container store came up with and the cost much too high compared to doing it yourself and their designs weren't always better. The challenge is always how many corners you have and how you want to deal with them. I just run the diy system down the longest wall and build the short wall in from that run. I use any deadspace to hang belts or purses off hooks on the short side panel. The beauty of doing it yourself is you can make changes as you go if you dislike how the space is turning out.

There are lots of home projects we wouldn't do but building closets is an easy one that you could complete in an afternoon for a smaller walk in closet. If you have large closets it might take longer.

Good luck with your project!

We installed Elfa in a couple hours, closet 15x7. Once the support tracks are put up it’s fairly easy from there. Comes with great instructions easy to follow.

Since you are putting in pantries too, I would figure out which closet system you like, and then do closets and pantries with the same stuff. A good system should have a components that fit the needs of both kinds of storage. And then as you need to update each space over time, you can swap parts between closets and pantries.

Elfa is super easy. You need a stud finder, a level, and a drill. I would imagine that Closet Maid and Ikea systems are similar.

I have Elfa systems in all of my closets. I installed them myself, with a little help from my husband. I gave my dimensions to the sales person at the Container Store and she came up with plans that I liked. The first closet was the most challenging, but the rest were easy! They have videos you can watch. I think it’s important to follow their directions exactly. They’re not fancy, but they are sturdy and flexible. The shelves can be moved if you’re not happy with the original position. They have a great sale late December throuugh February.