You know that feeling when you get home from IKEA with instructions that look like they were written in another language? Yes, we’ve all been there, and sometimes it’s easier to just call a professional to handle the job for you.
But before you start calculating handyman furniture assembly cost, let’s dig into what actually affects these prices and when it makes sense to hire someone instead of wrestling with those instruction manuals yourself.
How Much Does Furniture Assembly Really Cost?
Professional furniture assembly typically costs $50 to $550 on average, depending on the size and type of furniture.
That’s a pretty wide range, so let’s get more specific about what drives these costs.
For basic pieces like small tables or simple bookshelves, you’re looking at the lower end of the spectrum. Most handypeople charge about $150 per piece to assemble furniture, but their fee varies based on the piece’s complexity, the total number of items, and local labor costs.
Large dressers can cost $100 to $550 to assemble, while something like a queen-size wood bed frame runs about $175 for professional assembly. The jump in price usually comes down to time and complexity.
Choosing Between Hourly and Per-Piece Pricing
Most handymen charge one of two ways: by the hour or by the piece.
General home-services pros typically charge $40–80 per hour, though self-employed handymen usually run $50-$80 hourly, while corporate services charge $75-$125 per hour.
The hourly approach works well when you have multiple pieces or when the assembly time is hard to predict. For a whole bedroom set, an hourly rate might make more sense. If you just need a dining table put together, it’s best to opt for a flat per-piece rate.
What Makes Some Furniture Assembly Jobs Cost More?
When you’re gathering quotes from professionals, you’ll find that prices often vary. Here’s what bumps up the price:
- Complexity matters most. A simple nightstand with four legs and a drawer is straightforward, while an entertainment center isn’t.
- Size and weight also factor in. Heavy pieces require more careful handling and sometimes two people. If your handyman needs to bring an assistant, you can expect to pay for both sets of hands.
- Hardware headaches. Some manufacturers include every screw you need, clearly labeled and organized. Others dump a bag of mixed hardware into the box. Guess which ones take longer to assemble?
- Assembly location. Putting together a desk in a spacious living room is one thing, and assembling a bed frame in a tiny bedroom is another.
Also Read: How to Assemble Modular Office Furniture
When to DIY and When to Hire a Professional?
Some furniture assembly jobs are perfectly doable for most people. Small tables, basic bookshelves, simple chairs, if you’ve got a few hours and basic tools, you can probably handle these yourself.
But certain jobs almost always benefit from professional help. Anything with complex hardware, pieces that require alignment, or furniture that needs to be perfectly level often justifies the cost of hiring someone.
Heavy pieces are another consideration. Sure, you might be able to figure out how to assemble that solid wood dresser, but would you really want to? Sometimes the cost is worth avoiding the back strain.
How to Get the Most Value from a Handyman Visit?
If you decide to hire a handyman, here are some ways to make the investment worthwhile:
- Bundle jobs together: If you have multiple pieces or need some simple repairs done during the same visit, the combined cost may be lower than if the services were done separately.
- Prep the space: Clear the area where the assembly will happen and make sure the handyman has room to work.
- Check what’s included: Some services include cleanup, others don’t. Know what you’re paying for upfront to avoid surprises.
How to Avoid Scams?
Here’s what to watch out for:
- Prices that seem too good to be true usually are. If someone’s offering to assemble your entire bedroom set for $50, they’re either inexperienced or planning to rush through the job.
- No insurance or bonding. Professional handymen should carry liability insurance. If something goes wrong during assembly and damages your floors or walls, you want to know you’re covered.
- Vague time estimates. A good handyman should be able to give you a reasonable estimate of how long the assembly will take based on the specific pieces you need assembled.
Furniture Assembly Made Easy With the Pros
So, when does it make sense to hire a handyman for furniture assembly?
If you value your time at more than the hourly rate you’d pay, if you lack the tools or space to do it yourself, or if you just want the peace of mind that comes with professional assembly, it’s often worth the investment.
The key is getting quotes from a few different services, understanding what’s included in the price, and choosing someone who’s experienced with the type of furniture you need assembled. A few extra dollars upfront can save you hours of frustration.
For reliable furniture assembly, reach out to Furniture Assembly NYC. We offer upfront and honest handyman furniture assembly costs, and get the job done right the first time around.
