Allentown furniture assembly: hiring and planning

Get a quote for the complete job

Send the product name and model number for each piece, along with its assembly instructions if you have them. Include photos of the boxes, the intended room and any partly assembled furniture. Ask the assembler to quote from those details rather than a description such as bedroom set.

Separate assembly from delivery and carrying. Tell the assembler whether the boxes will be in the room, whether stairs or an elevator are involved, and whether you need existing furniture moved. Ask who will provide a second person if the instructions call for one. Agree on the furniture's final position before work starts.

For an hourly offer, request an expected labor allowance, any minimum charge and the point at which the assembler must ask you to approve more time. For a fixed offer, list the included tasks and exclusions. Get written quotes for your exact models, access requirements and included tasks, with parking, anchoring hardware and packaging disposal addressed in the total.

Include anchoring in the scope

CPSC's 2022 clothing-storage research describes tip-over incidents involving dressers, wardrobes and related furniture. Researchers identified drawer opening and climbing among children's interactions during incidents. Discuss anchoring with your assembler as part of completing the job. This historical research provides safety context; it does not establish current regulatory requirements. [5]

Send the anchoring instructions before the appointment. Ask the assembler to identify the wall construction and explain which fasteners they will use for the manufacturer's restraint. If you rent, arrange permission for wall attachment with the owner or manager. Confirm who supplies any required hardware and what happens if the assembler cannot complete the attachment.

For a bunk bed, loft bed or another piece with product-specific safety instructions, ask the assembler to review the exact manual before accepting the job. Do not approve improvised substitutions for missing structural parts. Keep the furniture out of use until the assembler completes the required steps or you resolve the missing-part issue with the seller.

Choose parking that fits the appointment

Allentown Parking Authority lists core PPL Event Area meters at $2 per hour, with enforcement Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. It lists other metered areas at $1 per hour, with enforcement Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ask the assembler to check the posted restrictions at the chosen space. [4]

APA does not enforce Sunday meters unless a PPL event occurs. In the PPL Center Area, event-related meter enforcement begins two hours before the event starts. Other parking rules still apply. Check the appointment's location and event conditions before offering Sunday parking as part of your plan. [4]

Use the parking chart to discuss a small expense allowance in the quote. The examples calculate deck or lot parking from APA's published hourly schedule. Ask the assembler to confirm the selected facility's rate and vehicle clearance, especially if they arrive in a van. Agree on parking reimbursement and whether you need a receipt. [2]

Prepare the room and inspect the finished furniture

Clear a work area in the intended room and protect the floor before the appointment. Keep boxes, instructions and hardware packets together. Photograph damaged packaging or panels, and ask the assembler how they want to check the contents. Decide who will contact the seller if a part is missing.

Before the assembler leaves, walk through the completed work together. Ask them to demonstrate doors, drawers and adjustment mechanisms according to the instructions. Review any required anchoring, check the agreed placement and record unfinished tasks. Keep the manual, spare hardware and a written description of follow-up work.

Deck or lot parking allowance for an assembly visit

Choose the arrangement for your furniture

Your hiring checklist

1. Send exact model numbers, quantities, manuals and photos before requesting a quote.
2. Confirm whether the scope includes carrying boxes, room placement, anchoring and packaging removal.
3. Agree on fixed or hourly billing, extra-work approval and parking reimbursement.
4. Arrange any landlord permission needed for wall attachment.
5. Confirm legal parking and coordinate curb access with delivery.
6. Clear the work area and keep parts and instructions together.
7. Inspect the completed work with the assembler and record unfinished tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I budget for assembly?

Get written quotes for your exact models, access requirements and included tasks. Compare the total for assembly, carrying, anchoring, cleanup and parking. Ask how the assembler charges for missing parts, extra work or a return visit before you accept an offer.

Can the assembler use my residential parking permit?

No. APA makes residential permits non-transferable and valid for the registered license plate. It also excludes service and commercial vehicles. Arrange legal parking for the assembler's own vehicle. [3]

Should I request dresser anchoring?

Include anchoring and the manufacturer's instructions in the quote discussion. CPSC's historical research documents clothing-storage tip-over hazards and describes its campaign promoting tip restraints. Ask the assembler to explain the wall attachment and required hardware before starting. [5]

Should I schedule assembly before the furniture arrives?

Discuss availability in advance, but agree on what happens if delivery runs late or parts arrive damaged. Confirm receipt and check the boxes before committing to an appointment that carries a cancellation or callout charge.