Furniture assembly cost guide
How Much Does Flat Pack Furniture Assembly Cost?
The short answer
Flat pack assembly in Australia usually costs $80 to $220 per item, or $50 to $140 an hour. At UNN Movers it starts from $49 per item, or $55 an hour for several items, GST included.
The item sets the price. A bookcase is quick. A sliding door wardrobe can take half a day.
How much does flat pack assembly cost?
| Pricing | Market rate | UNN Movers |
|---|---|---|
| Per item | $80 to $220 | From $49 |
| Per hour | $50 to $140 | $55 for several items |
| Minimum | Often a call-out fee | 2 hours on hourly jobs ($110) |
Market figures from WhatsTheDamage. UNN prices include GST.
One or two items are priced per item. A full room or a whole order is cheaper by the hour.
How long does each item take to build?
| Item | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Bookcase | About 30 minutes |
| Single bed | 30 to 45 minutes |
| Double or queen bed | 1 to 2 hours |
| Standard wardrobe | 1 to 2 hours |
| Gas lift bed | Up to 3 hours |
| Sliding door wardrobe | 3 to 4 hours, two people |
Times are a guide. Damaged boards or missing parts add time.
What is included in assembly?
- Parts checked against the manual before we start
- All tools brought, including wall fixings for any wall type
- Built in the room it will stay in
- Doors and drawers adjusted so they close properly
- Tall items anchored to the wall
- Packaging flattened and taken away
Is wall anchoring included?
Yes, on tall items, as standard. Unanchored drawers and wardrobes can tip onto children.
Australia has had a mandatory safety standard on toppling furniture since 2025. If you rent, you may need the landlord's written OK before drilling.
How much does it cost to take furniture apart for a move?
Disassembly is usually quicker than assembly. Inside a house move, standard beds and wardrobes are taken apart and rebuilt as part of the hourly rate.
On its own, it is priced the same way as assembly: per item or by the hour.
What makes assembly take longer?
- Missing or damaged parts
- Boards damaged in freight
- Tight rooms with no space to lay out panels
- Items already built badly once
- Walls that need special fixings
Check the box against the parts list before we arrive. It takes fifteen minutes and can save an hour.
Is it worth paying someone to assemble furniture?
For small items, it depends on your time. For wardrobes, gas lift beds and anything tall, usually yes. A badly built wardrobe sags, and an unanchored one is a risk.
Why book assembly with UNN?
From $49 per item
Or $55 an hour for several items, GST included.
Anchored as standard
Tall items fixed to the wall.
Packaging gone
We flatten and take the boxes.
Our own staff
On our payroll and covered by WorkCover.
Where can you book assembly with UNN?
UNN builds and takes apart furniture in four cities.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to assemble a wardrobe?
A standard wardrobe takes 1 to 2 hours. A sliding door wardrobe takes 3 to 4 hours with two people. Send a photo of the box label for a fixed price.
Do you assemble IKEA furniture?
Yes, along with any other flat pack brand.
Is wall anchoring included?
Yes, on tall items, as standard.
Can you take away the packaging?
Yes. It is flattened and taken with us.
Do you take beds apart and rebuild them in a move?
Yes. Standard beds and wardrobes are part of every house move.
How do you get a written price?
Send a photo of each box label. You get a fixed price within two hours.
Moving office? See what office relocation costs. Clearing old furniture? See rubbish removal costs.
- $120 an hour, GST included
- No extra fees
- $20M public liability
- 6am to 10pm, seven days