Ordering, Delivering and Assembling IKEA Furniture: A Guide

Buying the furniture is the easy part. The tricky bit comes with transport, assembly and, at the latest, the kitchen. Here's what you can manage yourself, when it's worth hiring a professional, and what to look out for along the way.

A new sofa is ordered, along with a matching chest of drawers, and then the question arises: how does it all get into the flat — and who's going to assemble it? For many people, this is exactly where the hard work of buying furniture begins.

This guide takes you through the four steps where things typically go wrong: ordering, delivery, transporting it yourself, and assembly. It also shows you when it's worth calling in a local service provider.

Order online or visit the furniture shop?

Large furniture shops now offer both options, and the decision depends less on price than on the product itself.

The case for buying online:

• You can check availability in advance instead of standing in front of empty shelves

• No opening hours, no travelling, no parking hassle

• You can put together your basket at your leisure and change it as often as you like

• Delivery right into your home can be booked as an add-on

The case for visiting in person:

• You should try sitting on upholstered furniture and lying on mattresses before you buy

• Colours and surfaces look different on screen than in the room

• Take-away items are available immediately

• Advice on planning projects such as kitchens or wall units

The practical middle ground: View larger pieces in the showroom, then order online and have them delivered. That way, you save yourself the transport without buying a pig in a poke.

One point that's often overlooked: before ordering, check whether the piece you want is a take-away item in the self-service area or only available via the warehouse. This determines whether you could even collect it yourself.

Delivery: what options are available

Most furniture shops distinguish between several delivery levels. The names vary, but the logic is similar everywhere:

What to check when booking:

• Delivery date and time window. Many providers give you a window of several hours. Check in advance whether you'll get a phone call ahead of time.

• Floor and lift access. Without a lift, some providers charge a surcharge per floor. Give accurate details when ordering, or the delivery could fail.

• Accessibility. Narrow stairwells, tight doorways and awkward corners are the most common reason deliveries fail. If in doubt, measure up yourself — particularly the door width and the narrowest point in the stairwell.

• Packaging disposal. Not included everywhere. Furnishing an entire room can generate a considerable amount of cardboard.

As delivery fees and terms change regularly, check the current details directly with the relevant provider.

Collecting it yourself: when your car is too small

Furniture shops are designed so that you end up buying more than you planned. By the time you reach the checkout, the question arises of how it's all going to fit in the car.

Hiring a van DIY stores, furniture shops and local car hire firms offer vehicles for hire by the hour. Factor in the deposit, mileage charge and fuel costs — and check whether your driving licence covers the vehicle.

Booking a furniture taxi Local transport services collect your goods and deliver them to you. For single items, or if no van is available, this is often the simpler solution. Ask about:

• Whether billing is by the hour or a flat rate

• Whether carrying items into the home is included

• Whether transport insurance is in place

Using a trailer Cheap, but only worthwhile if you have a tow bar and the right driving licence category. Make sure the load is properly secured — this is checked during traffic stops, and an unsecured load is a genuine safety risk.

Furniture assembly: DIY or hire a professional?

Assembly instructions are good these days, but the time required is regularly underestimated.

It's worth assembling furniture yourself for:

• Small items such as bedside tables, shelves and side tables

• Standard furniture with a manageable number of parts

• If you have tools and a free afternoon

It's worth hiring a professional for:

• Large wardrobe systems, especially those with sliding doors

• Anything that needs to be fixed to the wall

• When several pieces of furniture need assembling at once

• If you can't physically manage the assembly on your own

The last point matters more than it might sound: putting up heavy carcasses on your own can damage the furniture and your home — and in the worst case, cause injury.

What an assembly service typically costs: Billing is usually by the hour or a flat rate per piece of furniture. Get two or three quotes and have it confirmed in writing whether travel costs, packaging disposal and wall fixing are included.

Important for wall mounting: Tall cupboards and shelving units must be secured against tipping over. The fixings needed depend on the wall type — plasterboard, concrete and older-building walls each require different wall plugs. A tradesperson will recognise this; the standard fixings supplied often aren't suitable.

Special case: kitchens

With kitchen installation, the DIY option ends for most people. Several trades come together here:

• Electrical connections for cookers and ovens are reserved for qualified professionals in Germany. Connecting a cooker isn't the same as plugging into a socket, and it must not be done yourself.

• Water and wastewater connections for sinks and dishwashers

• Worktop cutting, particularly the cut-outs for the sink and hob

• Extractor hood, with ducting to the outside depending on the type

For the planning itself, the large furniture shops offer their own advisory services. For installation, you'll generally need a kitchen fitter — and possibly an additional qualified trade for electrics and plumbing.

Practical tip: Clarify before purchase who is responsible for which part. The most common source of frustration is when the kitchen and appliances have arrived, but no one is responsible for the electrical connection, and the next available appointment is three weeks away.

Alternatives: local furniture shops

Large chains aren't always the best choice. It's especially worth looking at local providers if:

• You need bespoke pieces, for example for sloped ceilings or older floor plans

• Delivery and assembly from a single provider matter to you — many regional furniture shops include both in the price

• You want advice from someone who will also be reachable later on if you have a complaint

• You prefer shorter transport routes and regional value creation

Joiners and carpentry workshops are also an option many people overlook. For a fitted shelf in an alcove or a table in exactly the size you want, they're often not as much more expensive as you'd expect — and the result fits perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I collect furniture myself if I've ordered online? That depends on the provider. Some offer click & collect, while others tie the online order to delivery. Check this before you buy.

What should I do if parts are missing or damaged? Document the damage immediately with photos and report it to the seller before continuing with assembly. For haulier deliveries, any visible transport damage should be noted directly on the delivery note.

Is an assembly service worth it financially? Factor in your own time realistically. A large wardrobe system can take two people a whole day. If you'd rather spend your weekend differently, the service quickly pays for itself.

Who's liable if something is damaged during assembly? If you've hired a professional trade, their business liability insurance applies. Ask in advance whether this is in place — with reputable providers, this is a matter of course.

Conclusion

The real effort in buying furniture rarely lies in choosing it, but in the logistics that follow. If you work out in advance how the furniture will get into your home and who will assemble it, you'll save yourself the stress on delivery day.

For transport, assembly and installation, specialist providers can be found in almost every city — from furniture taxis to assembly services and kitchen fitters. Comparing two or three quotes is worthwhile, as price ranges vary considerably.

You can find providers for furniture transport, furniture assembly and kitchen installation in your city in the Die Besten der Stadt directory.