Furniture Assembly in Wellington

Rules of thumb from professional assemblers: small bookcase or side table 20-40 minutes; chest of drawers 45-90 minutes; standard bed frame 40-60 minutes; sofa-bed 60-90 minutes; a 2-3 door wardrobe 1.5-2.5 hours; a large sliding-door PAX-style wardrobe 3-5 hours. DIY typically takes 2-3x longer.

Most items are one-person jobs, but large sliding-door wardrobes, tall units in rooms with low ceilings, and heavy sofa-beds realistically need two people for safe lifting of assembled sections. Two-person crews cost 60-90% more per hour but finish faster; for a full-apartment setup they are usually the cheaper total.

Most do, and for tall items you should insist on it: wardrobes, bookcases, and chests of drawers come with anti-tip straps or brackets that manufacturers require attaching to the wall. Confirm wall-anchoring is included in the quote and that the assembler checks wall type (drywall vs masonry vs concrete) — anchoring into concrete or tile may carry a drilling surcharge.

A pro brings everything: cordless drill with torque control, full hex/pozi bit set, rubber mallet, level, stud/cable detector for wall anchoring, and appropriate wall plugs. If someone asks to borrow your tools or arrives without a cable detector but plans to drill, stop the wall-mounting part of the job.

The assembler will identify the missing part number and stop or continue as far as possible; you then order the spare from the retailer (most flat-pack brands ship missing parts free). Expect to pay for the visit time used, and agree in advance whether a return visit to finish is charged as new call-out or at a reduced rate.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the slot is the market norm on platforms; independents vary. Expect to pay a call-out equivalent if you cancel when the assembler is already traveling. If your delivery date is uncertain, say so — many assemblers will hold a tentative slot rather than a firm one.

Expect $50-$80 per hour or per-item prices of $50-$90 for small units, $100-$180 for beds, and $180-$350 for large wardrobes. Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch have the most providers; elsewhere expect travel charges.

Yes — official NZ guidance recommends anchoring tall and heavy furniture to wall framing. Ask the assembler to screw anti-tip brackets into studs (not just plasterboard) and to secure wardrobes and bookcases in bedrooms especially. It typically adds only minutes per item when done during assembly.