Guide

Taking furniture apart and reassembling it: times and preparation

Dismantling and reassembly are the most underestimated part of a move. Large wardrobes and beds take the most time.

Why assembly is often underestimated

Many households do not know beforehand which furniture must be taken apart or how long that takes. Large flat-pack wardrobes and beds take the most time. Wall-mounted items mean drilling and can leave marks on the wall.

Approximate times for a crew of two

ItemDismantling (min)Assembly (min)Notes
Double bed20–3030–40Label screws; keep slats together
Two-door wardrobe (flat-pack)45–6060–90Panels damage easily; needs the original fittings
Large sliding-door wardrobe90–120120–180Three people; fix to the wall and level
Dining table1015Legs and extension leaves
Desk1520Cable trays and drawers
Shelving unit2030Wall anchors at the new flat
Washing machine or dishwasher20–3020–30Water connection; a plumber may be needed
Curtain rods and lamps5–10 each5–10 eachDrilling at the new flat

Approximate planning values, not measurements. Your furniture and household can differ considerably. Age, condition and design of the furniture change the time considerably.

How to prepare

  • Empty wardrobes and shelves beforehand.
  • Take a photo of each piece before it is taken apart.
  • Put screws and small parts for each piece in a bag and label it.
  • Keep the original fittings and assembly instructions, if you have them.
  • Mark panels and doors, for example "left" and "right".
  • Check where drilling is allowed in the new flat.

Whether a wardrobe fits through the door and stairwell at all is shown by measuring your new home. Our assembly service is listed under services.

In the moving planner

In the moving planner you choose your furniture from the catalogue or add your own items with dimensions. From this list we can see before the quote which pieces need taking apart and reassembling, and we ask if anything is unclear.

Plan your move

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Move, clear-out, household clearance or transport: we send your personal, non-binding quote within 24 hours – via WhatsApp or email.

Service area

Moving in Essen, the Ruhr area and all of NRW

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