It is a decision, not a test
Building your own furniture is often presented as a rite of passage, and paying someone as a failure to cope. Neither view is helpful. The better question is which option fits this particular piece, in this home, with your tools, your time and your tolerance for risk.
Three factors do most of the work: time, skill and risk. Cost matters too, but it sits on top of those three.
Time
A small side table may take well under an hour. A large wardrobe, a set of kitchen cabinets or a multi-section sofa can take much longer, and times vary widely with the design and the person. Instructions sometimes include an estimate, but treat it as a rough guide.
Questions to ask:
- Do you have a stretch of free time, or would the job be squeezed between other tasks?
- Would leaving a half-built piece in the room cause problems, especially in a small home?
- Is the delivery date close to a move-in or a deadline?
If time is tight, paying for help can be a reasonable trade. If you have time and enjoy the process, doing it yourself is often satisfying, and it teaches you how the piece is constructed, which helps with later repairs and with reconfiguring.
Skill
Most flat-pack furniture is designed for a competent beginner using basic tools. Tasks that go beyond that include:
- Fixing units to masonry or plasterboard walls (see the basics of wall anchors).
- Cutting worktops or fitting around pipes and uneven walls.
- Connecting appliances or any plumbing or electrical element. These are normally jobs for a qualified tradesperson and should not be attempted without the right competence and, where required, certification. Local rules vary.
- Leveling cabinets on an out-of-square floor.
- Hanging wall-mounted cabinets that carry heavy loads.
For an average bookcase or bed frame, a careful reader of instructions is usually fine. People who find diy assembly enjoyable tend to be comfortable learning as they go. If you have never held a drill, you can start with a simple piece and judge your comfort.
Risk
Risk comes in several forms:
- Personal safety. Heavy panels, ladders and power tools carry a risk of injury. Tall units that tip are a hazard, particularly with children around.
- Damage to the furniture. A stripped hole or a split panel may be hard to repair, and a mistake can affect the furniture warranty. Check the terms; some makers specify that certain installations must be done by an approved installer.
- Damage to the home. Drilling into a wall can hit pipes or cables. Dragging boxes can mark floors.
- Financial risk. A mistake with an expensive piece costs more than one with a cheap piece.
The higher the value and the lower your experience, the more attractive paid help becomes. Conversely, low-cost pieces are a safe place to learn.
What paid help can look like
Options vary by region and seller:
- Seller or manufacturer assembly service. Some retailers offer delivery and assembly as an add-on at checkout.
- Independent assemblers or handypeople. Often booked by the hour or by the job.
- Installers for fitted or wall-mounted systems, such as kitchens and built-in wardrobes.
- A friend or relative. Not a professional, but a second pair of hands is helpful for heavy items.
Prices vary a lot by location and complexity, so ask for a written quote rather than relying on assumptions. The cost of hiring is one of the hidden costs of furnishing a room that is easy to overlook in a budget.
Questions to ask before hiring
- Is the quote fixed, or by the hour? What is included (carrying, unpacking, rubbish removal)?
- Have they built this type of piece before?
- Do they bring their own tools?
- Do they carry insurance for damage to the furniture or the home?
- What happens if a part is missing or damaged?
- Will they anchor tall units to the wall, and with what fixings?
Check any claims about references or reviews yourself, and keep a record of what was agreed.
A middle path
You do not have to choose one extreme. Some people:
- Build the simple pieces and hire help only for the wardrobe or wall-mounted unit.
- Pay for a fitter for the first big piece and watch, learning the method.
- Ask a friend to help with lifting while they do the assembling.
- Do the assembly themselves but ask a professional only to fix the unit to the wall.
A quick decision guide
Consider paying for help if several of these are true: the piece is large or heavy; the wall fixing is complicated; you have limited time; you have no suitable tools; the piece is expensive or irreplaceable; or the work touches plumbing or electricity.
Consider doing it yourself if most of these are true: the piece is small or medium; the instructions look clear; you have a few hours; you have the basic tools described in the guide to assembly tools; and you can recruit a helper for the heavy parts.
Whichever you choose, keep the instructions, the spare hardware and any receipts. They are useful later for repairs, for moving house, or for proving what was done when something goes wrong.