Furniture delivery: what to know

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

What furniture delivery is

Furniture delivery picks up newly bought furniture from a store or warehouse and brings it to your home. The crew carries it in, sometimes assembles it and removes packaging, so the furniture is ready for use when they leave.

Signs you need it

  • You bought a sofa, bed or dining set that is too large or heavy to carry from the store yourself
  • The store offers delivery only as a large fee, and an independent delivery is an option you want to compare
  • Your new furniture needs assembly and you do not have the tools or the time
  • The item must go up stairs or through a narrow doorway, and you need a second pair of hands
  • You are picking up furniture from a warehouse or a second location and need it brought to the home

What the pro does

  • Confirm the pickup location, the delivery address and the delivery window
  • Inspect the furniture at pickup for damage, missing parts and the correct item
  • Load the furniture with straps and padding, securing it so it does not shift in the truck
  • Carry the furniture into the home, protecting floors and doorways along the route
  • Assemble the furniture if it is included, and remove packaging and debris from the home
  • Check the furniture with you before leaving, and note any damage on the delivery form

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Every job is different, so we do not publish prices.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 and size of items, and whether each piece is bulky or heavy
  • Stairs, elevator access and the distance from the truck to the room
  • Whether assembly is included and how many pieces need building
  • Whether packaging removal and haul-away of the boxes are included
  • Whether the delivery is same-day, scheduled or on a specific time window
  • Whether the delivery is from a store, a warehouse or a private seller

What a written quote should spell out

  • The pickup and delivery addresses and the time window for each
  • Whether assembly is included, and which items it covers
  • Whether packaging is removed and taken away from the home
  • Whether the furniture is inspected at pickup and checked at delivery
  • How damage found at delivery is reported and what happens next

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you assemble the furniture, and which items do you assemble
  • Will you take the packaging away with you
  • Can you place the furniture in the room I choose
  • How do you handle damage found at delivery, and when should I report it
  • What is the delivery window, and how do you contact me on the day
  • Do you carry the item up stairs, and is there an extra charge for them

Red flags

  • A crew that leaves without checking the furniture with you at delivery
  • No padding or straps on a piece that will ride in an open truck
  • Assembly that is promised and then skipped, or done with parts left over
  • A delivery window that is not confirmed in writing

What you can do yourself

You can unbox and inspect small items, and set up simple pieces such as a table with four legs. Call a professional for large sofas and beds, heavy items up stairs, and any furniture that needs assembly with tools you do not have.

Licenses and permits

Furniture delivery is not commonly licensed. Check with your state or local licensing agency for business registration that applies to a delivery company, and check the rules for any truck the company operates.

Furniture delivery questions

Who is responsible if the furniture arrives damaged?

Check the item at delivery and note any damage on the form before the crew leaves. Then contact the seller and the delivery company. Photos help the claim.

Will the delivery crew assemble my furniture?

Only if you booked it. Some services assemble only certain items. Ask which items are included before the delivery.

Can I ask the crew to put furniture in a specific room?

Yes. Tell the crew the room before they start, and clear a path so they can place each piece without moving other furniture.

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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