Most moving companies in South Florida, including Wadjet Logistics, include the reassembly of any standard furniture they disassembled at origin. Beds, simple dining tables, basic shelving and modular sofas are put back together at destination as part of normal labor. What is usually not included is the assembly of brand-new boxed furniture, complex flat-pack items you have never opened, items shipped separately, or anything that requires specialty hardware or extra tools beyond a standard mover toolkit. After 30 years of moves, here is exactly what to expect on assembly, when surcharges apply, and how to avoid surprises on delivery day.
The basic rule: if we took it apart, we put it back together
Standard local and long-distance moves include the time to disassemble furniture at origin and to reassemble it at destination, when the disassembly is necessary to get the piece out the door, into the truck, or through tight stairs. The labor is rolled into the hourly or flat-rate quote. This covers:
- Bed frames including king, queen, full and platform beds
- Simple dining tables with detachable legs
- Standard sectional sofas with bolt-together pieces
- Bookshelves with shelves that pop off for transport
- Office desks with detachable legs or hutches
- Wardrobes that come apart at obvious seams
What usually costs extra
New flat-pack furniture you have not unboxed
If you ordered a new piece from IKEA, Wayfair or Amazon and it arrives in the box, full assembly from scratch is a separate service. Building a new wardrobe or queen platform bed from the box can take 1.5 to 4 hours. Expect $45 to $120 per item billed by item or by the hour.
Cribs and baby furniture
Most movers will assemble cribs only if the original hardware and instructions are present. If hardware is missing or if the crib has been disassembled multiple times, we may decline reassembly for safety reasons. Newer cribs that require very specific safety alignments are sometimes excluded by company policy.
Wall-mounted items and TV mounts
Reinstalling wall mounts, hanging shelves, and mounting TVs is considered a separate handyman service in most contracts. Many movers offer it but bill it separately. Expect $75 to $200 for a wall-mounted TV including bracket and cable management.
Built-in or anchored furniture
Built-ins, anchored bookshelves that must be drilled into studs, and floating vanities require modifications to the wall and are not included. We coordinate with handymen or contractors when needed.
Pool tables, pianos and gun safes
These have specialty disassembly and reassembly procedures. They are quoted as separate line items, typically $300 to $900 total for the round trip.
How we document what is included
Your written estimate should list furniture disassembly and reassembly as included or excluded line items. Ask for clarity at the survey stage. We tag each piece in the inventory with one of three labels:
- Standard: included disassembly and reassembly
- Specialty: separately quoted
- Excluded: customer responsibility
Day-of tips to make assembly smooth
- Keep the hardware. We bag, label and tape it to the piece during disassembly. If you take it apart yourself, do the same.
- Photograph complex pieces before disassembly, especially modular sectionals and bed frames.
- Leave assembly instructions taped to the piece if you still have them.
- Identify the final position when the piece arrives. Moving a heavy assembled bed across a room is hard. Decide placement before we tighten the last bolt.
What if something arrives broken or missing hardware?
Hardware can occasionally go missing in transit. We carry a kit with common bolts, screws and dowels and can usually substitute for standard pieces. For proprietary hardware, like the cam locks on certain IKEA designs, we order replacements at no charge for moves we packed and disassembled. For PBO items we will help you identify the part numbers.
Realistic time estimates for common pieces
- Queen or king bed frame: 20 to 40 minutes per assembly
- King platform bed with storage drawers: 45 to 90 minutes
- Dining table with detachable legs: 10 to 25 minutes
- Modular sectional: 30 to 60 minutes
- Three-piece bookshelf system: 30 to 75 minutes
- Office desk with hutch: 45 to 90 minutes
Bottom line
If a piece comes apart easily and can be put back together with standard tools, it is included. If it requires specialty knowledge, new-from-box assembly, wall mounting, or proprietary hardware, it is usually a separate charge. The cleanest way to avoid surprises is to walk through each piece during the survey and confirm the line items on the estimate. Call +1 (305) 970-6538 or email info@wadjetlogistics.com to schedule a free walkthrough.
What to ask your mover before booking
Most disputes about furniture assembly come from mismatched expectations. Avoid them with these specific questions during the survey:
- "Is disassembly and reassembly of standard furniture included in your hourly or flat rate?"
- "Are there any pieces in my home you would consider specialty?"
- "What is your charge to assemble new flat-pack furniture I have not yet opened?"
- "Do you reinstall wall mounts, TVs and shelves?"
- "What happens if hardware is missing on move day?"
- "Is there a separate fee for cribs or baby furniture?"
- "Will I sign a separate work order for any extras?"
Get the answers in writing on the estimate. A reputable mover will be specific. Vague answers mean vague pricing.
Item-by-item assembly guide
Beds
Headboards, footboards, side rails, slats, box springs. Standard disassembly and reassembly are included. Adjustable bases with motors take longer and may add 30 to 60 minutes. Sleep Number beds with air chambers require careful handling; the air pump unit travels separately.
Dining tables
Tables with detachable legs (the most common style) are 10 to 25 minutes per side. Pedestal tables sometimes stay assembled; round tables larger than 60 inches may need leaf removal. Glass tabletops are removed, wrapped separately, and reinstalled at destination.
Sectional sofas
Modular sectionals usually break into 3 to 5 pieces with quick-release brackets. Pre-bolt sectionals require more time. Recliners with electric motors need careful handling to protect cables and motors.
Bookshelves and shelving units
Adjustable shelves come off easily. Built-up units may not disassemble cleanly if assembled with wood glue. Photograph shelf positions before disassembly so they go back the same way.
Office desks
L-shaped desks usually separate at the corner. Hutches lift off the base. Confirm computer cables and power strips are unplugged and bagged the night before to save crew time.
Patio and outdoor furniture
Outdoor furniture has its own protocols. Aluminum frames usually disassemble; teak and wrought iron may not. Glass-topped patio tables need extra protection. Cushions get stuffed into large boxes or wardrobe boxes.
Wall-mounted shelves and floating vanities
Removing wall-mounted shelves and floating bathroom vanities is usually a separate fee because of the wall anchor removal and patching. Plan for $30 to $80 per piece beyond the standard move.
Time and budget for new IKEA assembly
Customers often buy new IKEA furniture for the new home and ask the moving crew to assemble it. Common pieces and times:
- Malm 4-drawer dresser: 60 to 90 minutes
- Hemnes 8-drawer dresser: 90 to 140 minutes
- Pax wardrobe (small): 2 to 3 hours
- Pax wardrobe (full wall): 4 to 6 hours, often two assemblers
- Kallax 4-square shelf: 30 to 45 minutes
- Hemnes daybed: 90 to 120 minutes
- Friheten sleeper sofa: 90 to 150 minutes
- Bestå media unit (full wall): 3 to 5 hours
Expect $75 to $110 per hour for new flat-pack assembly. Some movers offer flat-rate per-piece pricing. Confirm cardboard disposal in the agreement.
Reassembly best practices at the destination
- Decide the final placement before the bed or piece is reassembled
- Have hardware bags accessible and clearly labeled
- Keep the original instructions if you still have them
- Reassemble large pieces first while the crew is fresh
- Test motorized components (adjustable beds, electric recliners) before the crew leaves
- Inspect each piece for damage before signing the final paperwork
What happens if something cannot be reassembled?
Occasionally a piece arrives with damage that prevents reassembly: a stripped bolt hole, a cracked rail, or a missing proprietary part. Document immediately with photos. If the damage occurred in transit, file a claim. If hardware is missing, ask the crew to identify the part number so you can order a replacement quickly. Reputable movers will return on a follow-up visit to complete reassembly once the part arrives, sometimes at no additional charge depending on the cause.
What "standard" furniture really means
The line between standard and specialty furniture assembly varies by mover, so here is a more precise definition used by most South Florida companies.
Standard furniture (assembly included)
- Bed frames with bolt or hook connections
- Box springs (no assembly needed, just placement)
- Dining tables with detachable legs
- Most office desks and computer desks
- Modular sectional sofas with quick-release brackets
- Bookshelves with adjustable shelves
- Wardrobes that come apart at obvious seams
- Coffee tables and side tables
- Dressers and chests of drawers (drawers removed only for protection)
Specialty furniture (separate quote)
- Pianos (upright, grand, baby grand)
- Pool tables and billiard tables
- Gun safes over 300 pounds
- Marble or granite countertops removed from cabinets
- Murphy beds and wall beds
- Crystal chandeliers and large light fixtures
- Hot tubs and spa equipment
- Large aquariums (over 50 gallons)
- Built-in custom furniture removed from walls
Tools and equipment in a mover's assembly kit
Professional crews carry standard tools that cover 90 percent of assembly tasks.
- Allen wrench set (metric and standard)
- Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers (multiple sizes)
- Adjustable wrenches (8-inch and 12-inch)
- Hammer and rubber mallet
- Tape measure
- Level (small)
- Cordless drill with bit set
- Furniture sliders
- Hardware bag organizers
- Replacement common bolts, screws, washers, dowels
If your furniture requires specialty tools (torque wrenches, hex sockets larger than 17mm, specific brand keys), mention this at the survey so the crew comes prepared.