Hiring someone to build furniture feels like it should be low-stakes, and mostly it is — but the person will be in your home for hours, drilling into your walls, handling items you’ve already paid hundreds of pounds for. Ten minutes of vetting is worth it. Here’s the process.

Step 1: Know your job before you ask

Assemblers can only quote as accurately as your description. Before contacting anyone, have:

  • The item list, with brand and product names where you know them (“IKEA PAX, 200cm, sliding doors” — not “a wardrobe”).
  • Your postcode and anything unusual about access (stairs, no lift, permit parking).
  • Your timing — and whether the furniture has actually been delivered.
  • Photos of the boxes, if you have them. Labels tell an experienced assembler almost everything.

This is exactly what our quote form asks for, because it’s what the trade needs to give you a real number instead of a guess.

Step 2: Get two or three quotes

One quote tells you a price; three tell you the market. Whether you use our service, a marketplace, or recommendations, aim for two or three comparable quotes for the same item list — and check each one covers the same things (travel, wall-fixing, packaging disposal). Our guide to hourly vs fixed pricing explains the two models you’ll be offered.

Step 3: Vet the front-runner

  • Public liability insurance. Ask directly. The answer you want is a simple yes with an insurer’s name, not a speech.
  • Reviews with detail. Look for reviews that mention your kind of job — “built our PAX, anchored it, took the cardboard” beats fifty generic five-star ratings.
  • Experience with your item. For big modular pieces, ask “how many of these have you built?” Specialists are faster and it shows in the result.
  • Clear communication. Someone who answers questions precisely before the job will behave the same way during it.

Step 4: Agree the details in writing

A text or email thread is plenty. It should pin down: the item list, the price and model (fixed or hourly with an estimate), what’s included (anchoring, disposal), the date and arrival window, and payment method. Nobody reputable resists this — it protects them too.

Red flags — walk away

  • Full payment or a large deposit demanded up front.
  • No answer to the insurance question.
  • A price wildly below every other quote (it usually rediscovers reality on the day, in cash, with the job half-done).
  • Won’t put anything in writing, even a text.
  • Wants to substitute “a mate” on the day without telling you first.

What happens on the day

If you’ve never hired an assembler before, our walkthrough of what to expect on assembly day covers arrival to handover — including the two-minute checks worth doing before they leave.

Frequently asked questions

Does a flat pack assembler need to be insured?

There is no legal requirement, but you should insist on public liability insurance anyway. It covers the scraped wall, the cracked radiator, the wardrobe that falls during the build. Any established assembler will confirm cover without being offended that you asked.

Should I pay a deposit for assembly work?

For ordinary domestic jobs, no — assembly is almost always paid on completion. A small deposit can be reasonable for very large booked-out jobs, but full payment up front is a red flag.

How far in advance should I book?

A few days to a week is typical. Good assemblers are rarely free same-day, and weekends go first. Book once your delivery date is confirmed, with at least a day of buffer after the delivery window.

Prices and timings on this page are indicative, based on typical quotes we see across the UK. Your job may cost more or less — the only way to know is to get quotes for your specific items and location. This site earns a fee when we pass enquiries to assembly firms; this never changes what you pay.