Crib assembly: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What crib assembly is

Crib assembly builds a crib from its parts by following the manufacturer's instructions, tightens every piece of hardware and confirms the mattress fits snugly. A crib is a safety item, and a loose bolt, a missing part or a gap at the mattress can cause serious injury, so the build needs care.

Signs you need it

  • The crib has many parts, and you are not sure the instructions match the pieces in the box
  • A part is missing, bent, cracked or from a different model
  • The mattress does not fit snugly, or there are gaps around the sides
  • The crib was used before, and you need it checked for loose hardware, worn parts or damage
  • You want the crib set up correctly before the baby arrives

What the pro does

  • Check the parts and the hardware against the manufacturer's list, and reject any cracked, bent or missing piece
  • Build the frame and the sides in the order the instructions give, using only the hardware supplied
  • Attach the slats or panels with the spacing the manufacturer specifies
  • Tighten every bolt and screw to the manual's specification, then check each one again
  • Fit the mattress, and check that it sits snugly with no gap at the sides or corners
  • Check each moving part, such as a mattress-height adjuster or a teething rail if the model has one, and confirm the locks engage

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Crib type, such as a standard crib, a convertible crib or a crib with an attached changing table
  • Number of pieces and the number of bolts and fasteners
  • Whether the crib was used before, and how much of it must be checked or replaced
  • Whether a mattress must be fitted and checked
  • Whether the crib must be moved into the nursery and placed away from windows and cords
  • Whether the old crib must be taken away

What a written quote should spell out

  • The crib model and type, and the number of pieces included
  • A check of every part for cracks, bends and missing hardware, shown as its own line
  • Confirmation that the hardware is tightened to the manufacturer's specification
  • The mattress fit check, and whether the mattress was supplied by you or by the pro
  • Haul-away of packaging and any old crib

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you use only the hardware the manufacturer supplies with this model?
  • What do you check for when you find a loose or missing part?
  • How do you check the mattress fit, and what gap is acceptable?
  • Will you check the model against the manufacturer's recall notices?
  • Where in the nursery will the crib sit, away from windows and cords?
  • Will you show me how to check the crib's bolts over time?
  • What warranty covers the crib and the assembly?

Red flags

  • They use hardware from another crib, or add parts that are not in the manufacturer's kit
  • They leave a gap at the side of the mattress, or a mattress that does not fit snugly
  • They skip the check of the bolts or the locking mechanisms
  • They assemble a crib with a cracked, bent or damaged part
  • They say the crib is safe without checking the manufacturer's instructions for this model

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can assemble a crib by following the manufacturer's instructions for that exact model, using only the hardware in the box. Check every bolt after assembly and again over time, and check the mattress fit for any gap at the sides. Do not use a drop-side crib or any crib named in a recall notice. Call a pro if a part is missing, damaged or from another model, or if you are unsure the crib is correct.

Licenses and permits

Crib assembly is not commonly a licensed trade. Check the manufacturer's instructions and recall notices for the model. Check with your state or local licensing agency only if the job includes other work in the home that needs a license.

Crib assembly questions

Does a crib need to be attached to the wall?

Ask the manufacturer whether the model is meant to be attached to a wall, and follow its instructions. Do not add anchors or brackets the manufacturer does not supply for the model.

How do I know if the mattress fits?

The mattress should fit the crib snugly, with no gap at the sides or corners where a child's head or limbs could get trapped. Use the mattress size the manufacturer lists, and do not use a mattress that is too small.

What do I do if a part is missing?

Stop before you use the crib. Contact the manufacturer with the model number and ask for the correct part. Do not replace it with a part from another crib.

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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