Outdoor furniture assembly: what to know

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

What outdoor furniture assembly is

Outdoor furniture assembly builds patio sets, benches, umbrellas and loungers from boxes, tightens weather-resistant hardware, and checks that each piece is stable on the deck, patio or lawn. People hire it when the set has many pieces, the hardware is stainless or coated, or the furniture must sit on uneven pavers or a deck.

Signs you need it

  • The patio set arrives in several boxes with weather-resistant hardware you have not used before
  • The furniture rocks on the deck, patio or lawn, and needs leveling or feet adjusted
  • An umbrella base or table pole must be fitted and held upright in the wind
  • You want a loveseat, a bench or a lounger built and placed before a gathering
  • The hardware has been left in the weather and is rusted, loose or stripped

What the pro does

  • Unbox each set and match the hardware bags to the pieces, checking for rust or damage
  • Assemble the frames with the stainless or coated bolts the manual specifies, tightening them in order
  • Fit the seats, backs, cushion straps and any slat or mesh panels
  • Set the umbrella base or table pole, and check that the umbrella holds in a breeze
  • Check each piece for rocking on the surface, and adjust the feet or add pads for uneven pavers
  • Show the owner how to tighten the hardware after weather and how to store the cushions

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Every job is different, so we do not publish prices.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 chairs or seats in the set
  • Material and hardware type, such as aluminum, wood, resin or steel with coated fasteners
  • Surface type, whether deck, pavers, concrete, lawn or gravel, which affects the feet and the base
  • Whether an umbrella base must be set in concrete or weighted with ballast
  • Condition of the hardware if it has rusted or been left out
  • Access to the patio or deck, including gates and stairs

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each piece listed by name and quantity, with the material noted
  • Whether the umbrella base, feet pads and any ballast are included
  • Replacement hardware for any rusted or missing pieces, listed separately
  • Haul-away of boxes and packaging
  • A stability check of the set after assembly, shown as its own line

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What hardware do you use for this set, and is it rated for outdoor use?
  • Will the furniture rock on my pavers, and how do you level it?
  • How do you hold the umbrella base steady in the wind?
  • What do I do about rust or stripped hardware after the first season?
  • Do you take away the boxes and the packaging?
  • Will you show me how to store the cushions for the winter?
  • What warranty covers the frame and the assembly?

Red flags

  • They use indoor hardware on outdoor furniture, which rusts quickly
  • They leave the furniture rocking on uneven pavers without adjustment
  • They set an umbrella base with no ballast or anchor
  • They overtighten coated bolts, which chips the finish
  • They skip the stability check of the chairs and table after assembly

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can assemble most outdoor furniture with the included tools, using the stainless or coated hardware in the bag the manual names. Add the umbrella ballast or base as the manual says, and do not place a heavy umbrella base on a deck without a plan for the load. Call a pro for a large set, a set that must sit on a concrete pad, or any piece that is anchored.

Licenses and permits

Outdoor furniture assembly is not commonly a licensed trade. Anchoring pieces into concrete or a deck structure can need a permit or a licensed contractor, so check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building office before that work.

Outdoor furniture assembly questions

Why is my outdoor furniture rusting at the bolts?

The hardware may not be rated for outdoor use, or it may have sat in a wet spot. Replace it with the stainless or coated hardware the manufacturer lists, and tighten the bolts after each season.

Can outdoor furniture stay out all winter?

Some pieces are rated for it and others are not. Check the manufacturer's care guide, and store cushions and the less weather-resistant pieces in a dry place.

How do I keep an umbrella from blowing over?

Use a base that matches the umbrella's weight, and add ballast to the base as the manual says. Close the umbrella in strong wind, since an open canopy can lift a light base.

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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