Furniture assembly: what to know

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

What furniture assembly is

Furniture assembly puts together flat-pack furniture such as dressers, desks, shelving and wardrobes. People hire it when the box holds too many small parts, the instructions are hard to follow, or a tall piece must be anchored to the wall so it cannot tip.

Signs you need it

  • The box holds a large number of small parts, and you cannot tell which screw goes where
  • The piece is tall, such as a dresser or wardrobe, and needs a tip-over anchor kit to be safe
  • A part is missing, bent or has stripped holes, and you need the set checked before it is used
  • The piece must go through tight doors or up stairs before it can be built
  • You are building several pieces for a home office, nursery or guest room in one visit

What the pro does

  • Unbox and sort the hardware by type, checking the parts list against the box contents
  • Build the carcass or frame in the order the instructions show, using the cam locks, dowels and bolts as designed
  • Square each joint and tighten the fasteners in stages so the frame does not rack out of shape
  • Attach drawer slides, doors, hinges and handles, and check that the drawers open and close evenly
  • Anchor tall pieces to the wall with the tip-over restraint kit, using anchors that suit the wall
  • Move the piece into its final spot and check that it sits level and stable

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Every job is different, so we do not publish prices.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.

  • Number of pieces and the number of fasteners in each one
  • Complexity of the kit, such as drawer slides, glass doors or built-in shelving
  • Height of the piece, and whether it needs a wall anchor kit
  • Wall type, such as drywall, plaster, brick or tile, which changes the anchor method
  • Stairs, narrow doors or tight rooms that slow the move
  • Whether packaging must be hauled away, or old furniture removed

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each piece listed by name and quantity to be assembled
  • Whether the tip-over anchor kit and wall anchors are included
  • Haul-away of boxes and packaging, listed separately
  • Any old furniture removal, listed separately
  • Whether the pro checks for missing or damaged parts before starting

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you anchor the tall pieces to the wall, and what anchors do you use?
  • What happens if a part is missing or damaged?
  • Do you bring your own tools, and do you take the packaging away?
  • Which room will each piece go in, and can you move it through the doors?
  • How many pieces can you finish in one visit?
  • Do you check that the drawers and doors line up before you leave?
  • Do you warranty the assembly if a joint loosens in the first month?

Red flags

  • They skip the tip-over anchor on a tall dresser or wardrobe
  • They overtighten the cam locks or cross-thread the bolts, which strips the wood
  • They leave the pieces sitting unlevel and say it is fine
  • They do not mention a missing part until the piece is nearly finished
  • They drill into the wall without checking for wires or pipes first

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can assemble most flat-pack furniture with the included tools, following the instructions one step at a time. Anchor tall pieces to the wall with the kit provided, and check the wall type before you drill. Do not drill where wires or pipes may run, and call a pro for a tall or heavy piece you cannot lift safely, or for any job that involves wall work.

Licenses and permits

Furniture assembly is not commonly a licensed trade. Work that touches gas, electrical outlets or wall structure, such as a built-in unit with power, can need a licensed trade or a permit, so check with your state or local licensing agency.

Furniture assembly questions

Should a tall dresser be anchored to the wall?

Yes. Tall dressers and wardrobes can tip, and manufacturers usually include an anchor kit for this reason. Use the kit, the anchors that suit your wall, and a stud where you can.

What do I do if the instructions do not match the parts?

Stop before you force anything. Check the model number on the box against the instructions, and contact the manufacturer for the correct sheet or replacement parts.

Can you assemble furniture that was already built and taken apart?

Yes. Check the parts against the list, look for stripped holes or cracked pieces, and tell the customer about any damage before the piece is put back together.

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.

Edit history

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See screened pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More installation and assembly guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request furniture assembly