Packing up all of your belongings and moving to a new home can be a daunting task. But what if you have to take apart your furniture before you move? Do movers dismantle your furniture for you, or is it something that you have to do yourself?
In this post, we’ll explore the options for dismantling furniture before moving and help you decide whether or not it’s something that you can tackle on your own.
Yes, movers will dismantle your furniture if you ask them to
1. Types of furniture that can be dismantled
Most types of furniture can be dismantled, but some are easier than others. Here are a few common types of furniture that can be dismantled:
Beds: Beds are one of the most commonly dismantled types of furniture. Movers will typically take apart the frame, headboard, and footboard. They may also remove the mattress and box spring (if you’re not taking them with you).
Tables: Tables can usually be dismantled into their parts: the tabletop and the legs or base. This is especially true for dining tables, but it can also apply to coffee tables, end tables, and some outdoor tables.
Sofas and Couches: Sofa disassembly is usually pretty straightforward. The cushions and back will be removed, and then the frame will be taken apart. In some cases, the couch may need to be cut down to fit through narrow doorways or hallways.
Dressers: Dressers can often be taken apart so that the drawer units can be moved separately from the main frame. This keeps them from being damaged in transit.
2. How to dismantle furniture without damaging it
One thing to keep in mind when dismantling furniture is that you don’t want to damage it in the process—after all, you’ll have to reassemble it when you get to your new home! Here are a few tips for dismantling furniture without damaging it:
1) Start by removing any loose components, such as cushions or pillows. These can usually just be set aside.
2) If possible, remove any doors or drawers before attempting to dismantle the rest of the piece. This will make it easier and help prevent damage.
3) Pay close attention to how the piece is put together—you’ll need to put it back together in reverse order! Make sure you know which screws go where and check for any special instructions that may have come with the furniture when it was originally assembled.
3. Tips for dismantling furniture quickly and easily
Here are a few tips for quickly and easily dismantling furniture:
- Gather all the tools you’ll need before starting (screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches, etc.). This way you won’t have to stop in the middle of dismantling something to go looking for a tool.
- If possible, recruit a friend or family member to help you out—two sets of hands are always better than one!
- Clear out any obstacles from around the piece of furniture so that you have plenty of room to work.
- Place any removable components in labeled bags or boxes so that they don’t get lost during the move.
4. What to do with dismantled furniture
Once your furniture has been dismantled successfully, you’ll need to decide what to do with all those extra pieces! Here are a few options:
- Pack everything up into labeled boxes and load them onto the moving truck with everything else.
- Ask your movers if they offer storage services—this way you can store your dismantled furniture until you have time (and space) to reassemble it.
- Donate your dismantled furniture—especially if it’s in good condition!
There may be an additional fee for this service, so be sure to ask about it before hiring a moving company
Charges for Dismantling Furniture
The first thing you need to know is that most moving companies will charge an additional fee for dismantling furniture. This is because it takes extra time and manpower to take apart large pieces of furniture, and the company will want to be compensated for that.
However, the good news is that this fee is usually not very expensive; typically, it’s just a few euros extra per item.
What is Included in the Dismantling Service?
When you hire a moving company to dismantle your furniture, they will usually disassemble everything except for very delicate items like china cabinets or grandfather clocks. For most pieces of furniture, they will remove all detachable parts like legs, drawers, shelves, etc.
They will then wrap each piece separately so that it doesn’t get damaged in transit.
Whether or Not an Additional Fee is Charged for Taking Apart Large Pieces of Furniture
As we mentioned earlier, most moving companies will charge an additional fee for taking apart large pieces of furniture like sofas and armoires. However, some companies do not charge this fee; instead, they include it in the price of their overall moving services.
So if you’re concerned about this fee, be sure to ask the company beforehand whether or not they charge extra for large items.
How Much Time is Allotted for Dismantling Furniture?
The amount of time it takes to dismantle furniture will depend on how many items you have and how complicated they are. For example, something like a simple bookshelf can usually be dismantled in just a few minutes, while something like a china cabinet or armoire can take upwards of half an hour.
Typically, most moving companies allot between 30 minutes and 1 hour per room for dismantling furniture; so if you have a lot of items, it’s best to start early!
How to dismantle furniture without damaging it
How to Dismantle Furniture by Yourself
The first thing you need to do is remove any loose cushions or pillows. Once those are out of the way, start by taking off any detachable plates, legs, or arms. If any of these parts are screwed in, make sure to keep track of which screws go where so you can easily put them back in when it’s time to reassemble the piece.
After that, gently pull the fabric away from the frame of the furniture. If the fabric is glued or stapled on, be careful not to rip it as you’re removing it.
Once the fabric is off, you should be able to see all of the individual components that make up the piece of furniture. Take note of how they all fit together so you can put them back together correctly later on.
Now, begin taking the furniture apart by removing all of the screws, nails, or bolts that are holding it together. If any of these pieces are stuck, you can use a little WD-40 to help loosen them up.
Once everything is unscrewed, you should be able to start pulling the furniture apart.
How to dismantle furniture with help from others
If you have large pieces of furniture that you need to dismantle, it’s always best to ask for help from someone else. This will make the process go much faster and will help to prevent any accidents or injuries.
Before you start, be sure to clear the area around the furniture so you have plenty of room to work. You’ll also want to have a few tools on hand, including a screwdriver, a hammer, and some pliers.
Once you’re all set up, begin by taking off any detachable plates, legs, or arms. If any of these parts are screwed in, make sure to keep track of which screws go where so you can easily put them back in when it’s time to reassemble the piece.
After that, gently pull the fabric away from the frame of the furniture. If the fabric is glued or stapled on, be careful not to rip it as you’re removing it.
Once the fabric is off, you should be able to see all of the individual components that make up the piece of furniture. Take note of how they all fit together so you can put them back together correctly later on.
Now, begin taking the piece apart by removing any screws, nails, or staples that are holding it together. If there are any drawers in the piece, remove them now as well.
Once everything is unscrewed, you should be able to start pulling the furniture apart. If it is a chair, for example, you will need to remove the seat from the frame. If it is a table, you will need to remove the legs from the tabletop. Continue taking the piece apart until all of the pieces are separated.
What To Do If You Damage Furniture When Dismantling It
If you do happen to damage your furniture while taking it apart, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the issue. For minor scratches or dents, try using a repair kit made specifically for wood furniture.
These kits usually come with a type of putty that can be used to fill in scratches and a marker that matches the color of most wood finishes. If the damage is more significant, like a large dent or crack, you may need to replace the damaged part entirely.
This is usually only necessary for very old or antique pieces of furniture, however.
How To Protect Furniture When Dismantling
To help prevent damaging your furniture when dismantling it, there are a few precautions you can take. First, if possible, disassemble the piece outside so there’s less risk of accidentally scratching or denting something when taking it apart.
Second, use padding or blankets to protect sharp edges and corners from being damaged. You can also use bubble wrap for particularly delicate parts.
Finally, if you have any trouble getting a particular component loose, don’t force it -– there’s a chance you could end up breaking something if you use too much force.
Tips for dismantling furniture quickly and easily
#1 – Get organized
One of the biggest mistakes people make when dismantling furniture is not being organized. This can lead to lost screws, misplaced parts, and a lot of frustration.
To avoid this, take a few minutes to gather all of the tools you’ll need and clear away any obstacles from the area where you’ll be working.
#2 – Use the right tools
Another common mistake is using the wrong tools for the job. This can damage both your furniture and your tools, so it’s important to make sure you have the right ones on hand.
For most furniture, you’ll need a screwdriver, a hammer, and a set of pliers. If you’re not sure what type of screwdriver to use, consult the owner’s manual for your furniture or take a look at the screws themselves –- most will have a symbol that indicates what type of screwdriver you need.
#3 – Be careful with delicate parts
Some furniture is more delicate than others, so it’s important to handle these pieces with care. If possible, disassemble these pieces outside to avoid accidentally damaging them indoors.
Use padding or bubble wrap to protect sharp edges and corners, and be careful not to use too much force when removing screws or other components.
With a little care and patience, you should be able to successfully dismantle your furniture without any damage.
#4 – Take your time
Dismantling furniture can be time-consuming, so it’s important to set aside enough time to do the job right. If you’re in a hurry, you’re more likely to make mistakes and damage your furniture.
So, clear your schedule for the day and take your time disassembling your furniture. Once you’re finished, you can enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that your furniture is safely dismantled and ready for transport.
Conclusion
Many people are under the false impression that movers will not dismantle their furniture. However, most professional moving companies are more than happy to comply with this request, as long as it is stated upfront.
Typically, beds, dressers, and hutches can be easily dismantled. However, some larger pieces of furniture, such as entertainment centers and china cabinets, may need to be disassembled by a professional.
To avoid damaging your furniture, be sure to remove all hardware before attempting to disassemble it. In addition, take careful measurements of each piece so that you’ll know how to put it back together again.
Once your furniture has been dismantled, you can either place it in storage or sell it online. If you do decide to sell it, be sure to clearly list the dimensions and assembly instructions so that the buyer knows what they’re getting. With a little bit of effort, you can easily dismantle your furniture without any damage or headaches.
