Updated September 2017
Assembling furniture alone can be tedious and time consuming. Following elaborate instruction and compiling the right tools, parts, and spares for installation could be a devil of a job. With one wrong move, the entire project could go downhill. To ensure the safety and stability of the furniture, it is best to leave it to the professionals to assist you with assembly. This cost guide gives you the average labor costs for hiring professionals to assemble furniture.
On This Page:
Ikea Flat Pack Furniture Assembly
Ikea sells furniture at low prices, due in part to the way it’s packaged for buyers. Most Ikea flat pack furniture (or ready-to-assemble furniture) is easy to assemble as it comes with simple parts and a detailed manual. Even still, large items can be tricky when you don’t have the time or patience to assemble on your own. It is better to hire a professional assembler to do the job once the product is delivered or brought home. They can ensure that your new armoire, dresser, or bedroom set looks as good in your home as it did on the showroom floor. Many other stores or home decor boutiques sell flat pack furniture.
Cost of Furniture Assembly
Once the furniture is home, putting it together could take about 1 to 4 hours based on the complexity of design, number of parts, and other factors. Hiring professional assemblers is the easiest way to complete the task quickly and correctly. They unpack the boxes, check the parts for damage, assemble the pieces using their tools, and dispose of the boxes. The assemblers charge you only for the labor cost of assembly which does not include repairs or moving. Discussed below are few factors that may help determine the overall cost of the task.
Type & Size
The size of the furniture is an important factor in arriving at the cost of assembly. Small furniture like stools, chairs, and small end tables can be assembled easily, resulting in lower costs. On the other hand, assembling tables, chests (1 or 2 drawers), or desks are comparatively complex and thus you will need to budget more. Beds, wardrobes, and shelving units are even bigger and the complexity of its parts and design will make the assembly more difficult. Cost of assembling such heavier and bulky furniture is expensive. For instance:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard Desk | $100 |
| Desk with Drawers | $120 |
| Corner or L-Shaped Desk | $170 |
| Bed Frames | $70 |
| Storage Beds | $160 |
| Bunk or Murphy Beds | $160 |
Number of Hardware Parts
Beds, dressers, and shelving units have several hardware parts that need to be put together to finish the assembly. The more complex the piece of furniture, the greater the cost. Furniture with simple installation procedures like chairs and tables will have lower assembly costs since they contain fewer parts.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Bookcase 1-2 shelves | $80 – $100 |
| Bookcase 3-5 shelves | $100 – 120 |
| Bookcase 6-8 shelves | $110 – $130 |
| 3 Piece Dining Set | $100 – $120 |
| 5 Piece Dining Set | $130 – $150 |
| 7 Piece Dining Set | $160 – $180 |
| 9 Piece Dining Set | $210 – $230 |
Number of Assemblers Needed
Certain furniture like beds, swing sets, or wardrobes are heavy and may require more than one person for assembly. As a result, the overall cost of assembly will be higher. Below is an estimate of how many people and how much money it will require to assemble the below piece of furniture.
| Item | No. of Assemblers | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Ikea Brusali Hutch | 2 | $105 |
| Ikea MALM Storage Bed | 2 | $120 |
| Wayfair TV Stand | 1 | $45 |
Time
The cost of assembly depends on the time it takes to install each piece. The ideal time for setting up a bed is 2 hours at most, while it generally takes 6 to 10 hours to install a swing set outdoors. Here is a general breakdown of time and costs for installation of the below items.
| Item | Assembly Time | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Ikea MALM Bed | 1:15 hrs. | $75 |
| Ikea BILLY Bookcase | 45 min. | $30 |
| Cedar Swing Set | 6-10 hrs. | $360-$900 |
Ready to start your Furniture Assembly?
Find ProsEstimated Hourly Cost for Labor
Generally, assemblers charge by the hour and the hourly rates depend on the geographical location where you live. The costs in New York City might not be the same as those in Texas or Ohio. For instance, the cost of installing a kitchen cabinet in New York City could fall between $190-$310. Whereas, the same costs somewhere between $130 to $210 in Austin, Texas, and Ashley, Ohio. The average costs for assembling different types of furniture is listed below.
Bedroom
The costs of assembling a few common bedroom pieces are listed below. This is only an estimate of the assembly cost, which may differ from item to item and brand to brand. Depending on the number of drawers, type of bed, and number of shelves, the price of installation may vary.
| Item | Est. Cost |
|---|---|
| Bunk Bed | $120 |
| Bureaus | $150 |
| Changing Table | $100 |
| Crib | $95 |
| Dresser | $100 – $120 |
| Nightstand | $80 |
| Shower Chair | $95 |
| Standing Bed | $75 $100 |
| Storage Bed | $120 |
| Wardrobe | $120 – $240 |
Dining & Kitchen
| Item | Est. Cost |
|---|---|
| Baker’s Rack | $90 |
| Buffet or Sideboard | $130 |
| Chairs | $80 |
| Coffee Table | $80 |
| Dining Table | $100 |
| End Table | $85 |
| Dining Room Set | $110 – $215 |
| High Cabinet | $105 |
| Kitchen Cart | $90 |
| Kitchen Island | $160 |
| Kitchen Pantry | $130 |
| Storage Shelves | $100 |
| Tables | $80 |
| Wine Rack | $185 – $150 |
Living Room
| Item | Est. Cost |
|---|---|
| Armoire Style Cabinets | $150 |
| Bookcase | $90 – $120 |
| Curio Cabinet | $125 |
| Desks | $100 – $170 |
| Entertainment Center | $160 |
| Futon | $100 |
| Media Cabinet | $120 |
| Shelf Units | $115 |
| TV Stand | $100 |
Lawn/ Outdoor
| Item | Est. Cost |
|---|---|
| Chair | $85 |
| Chaise Lounge | $115 |
| Metal Furniture | $120 – $300 |
| Plastic | $170 – $150 |
| Rocking Chair/Glider | $90 |
| Swing Set | $360 – $900 |
| Table | $170 |
| Wicker Furniture | $100 – $215 |
| Wood Furniture | $140 – $400 |
Ready to start your Furniture Assembly?
Find ProsWhy Hire a Professional
It is certainly possible for you to assemble flat pack furniture on your own, but getting a professional assembler to do it has its perks. Here is a list of reasons why hiring a professional may be worth the cost.
- They can tackle any difficulties that may arise during the assembly.
- Some furniture assembly calls for more sophisticated tools that professionals are experienced in using.
- To ensure the safety and the stability of the furniture.
- Paying a professional can minimize your personal stress.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Errand Service? 
Cost of Wall Mounting Services for TV, Art, Mirrors and Chandeliers 
Cost of Hiring a Household Assistant 
How Much Do Garden and Yard Work Services Cost? 
When and Why You Need Experts to Lift and Move Heavy Items at Home 
Are You Familiar With This Topic? Share Your Experience.