Flat-pack furniture assembly is one of our most common jobs in Brighton — and most of the problems we fix could have been avoided with a bit of preparation before we arrive. This guide covers what to do (and what not to do) before your handyman turns up, so the job goes smoothly and you get the best result.
Before your handyman arrives: the checklist
1. Check the box is complete
Open every box and lay out the parts. Count screws, dowels, and cam locks against the parts list — IKEA and most brands include a spares bag, but a missing cam lock or a damaged panel means we have to stop and wait for a replacement part. Do this the day before, not five minutes before we arrive.
If anything is damaged or missing, contact the retailer immediately. IKEA will ship replacement parts free. Most other brands (Argos, John Lewis, Wayfair) have a replacement part service — use it rather than trying to improvise.
2. Clear the room
We need floor space to lay out flat-pack panels during assembly — at least 1.5x the assembled footprint of the furniture, ideally more. Move other furniture out of the way, roll up rugs, and clear a path from the front door to the room.
Brighton flats and terraces are often compact, so this can take some planning. In a narrow hallway, a wardrobe has to be assembled in sections and moved in — let us know the layout in advance so we can plan the sequence.
3. Decide exactly where it goes — before assembly
Once a wardrobe or bookcase is assembled, moving it is a two-person job. Decide the final position beforehand and check: does it clear the radiator? Will the doors open fully? Is it away from a window that gets direct sunlight (which causes MDF to warp over time)?
If you want the furniture wall-anchored for safety — especially important in Brighton homes with children, or in older properties where floors aren’t level — tell us upfront. We bring wall plugs and fixings for most wall types.
4. Know your wall type
Brighton’s older properties have a mix of solid brick walls, lath-and-plaster, and modern plasterboard stud walls. The fixing method is different for each. If you need furniture wall-anchored, knowing your wall type saves us testing time. Not sure? We’ll check with a battery-free stud finder on arrival.
5. Don’t pre-assemble
Resist the temptation to get started. Partially assembled furniture — especially if any screws have been over-tightened and stripped the cam holes — takes longer to disassemble and reassemble correctly than starting from scratch. Leave everything in the box.
Common flat-pack mistakes that cost extra time
- Wrong instruction version — IKEA products are updated frequently; the online PDF instructions sometimes differ from what’s in the box. Use the paper copy included, not a downloaded PDF.
- Assembled the wrong way round — bookshelves, wardrobes, and sideboards are often symmetrical but have a designated left and right. Check before step 1.
- Overtightened cam locks — cam locks should click and be firm, not torqued as hard as possible. Overtightening splits MDF and weakens the joint permanently.
- Drawers installed before the carcase is square — check for square before fitting drawers or doors; racking a carcase after is much harder.
What we bring — what you don’t need to provide
We arrive with a full set of hand and power tools including a rubber mallet (essential for IKEA dowels), a right-angle square, a spirit level, a cordless drill, Allen keys in every size, and assorted fixings for wall-anchoring.
You don’t need to provide anything except access to the room and the unassembled furniture in its original packaging.
How long does flat-pack assembly take in Brighton?
| Item | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Small flat-pack (bedside table, coffee table) | 20–40 min |
| Single bed frame | 45–75 min |
| Double or king bed frame | 60–90 min |
| IKEA PAX wardrobe (single, 2 doors) | 90–120 min |
| IKEA PAX wardrobe (double, 4 doors + internal fittings) | 2.5–3.5 hours |
| Large bookcase (BILLY with extension) | 45–60 min |
| Chest of drawers | 45–75 min |
| TV unit with cable management | 60–90 min |
Times include basic wall-anchoring where needed. Add 20–30 minutes for a compact Brighton flat where furniture needs to be maneuvered around tight corners or up narrow stairs.
Booking a flat-pack assembly service in Brighton
We assemble furniture from all major brands — IKEA, Argos, John Lewis, Wayfair, Made.com, Dunelm, and more. Same-day slots are often available for smaller jobs if you call before 2pm.
See our furniture assembly service page for pricing, or WhatsApp us a photo of what needs assembling for a quick quote. We cover all of Brighton and Hove (BN1–BN3) with no call-out charge.