Blog · 20 October 2026
IKEA order arrived? How to prepare for assembly
Good preparation saves time and prevents a second appointment. With this checklist you can go through everything in ten minutes.
After delivery, check that the number of boxes matches your order and that nothing is visibly damaged. Put the boxes in the room where the furniture will go and clear that spot. Tell the assembler in advance which floor you live on, whether there is a lift, how high the ceiling is and what the wall is made of. That way the assembly can start straight away and everything is finished in one appointment.
Straight after delivery
- Count the boxes and compare the number with your order confirmation. A PAX wardrobe quickly adds up to ten boxes or more.
- Check whether any boxes are dented, wet or torn open. Take a photo and report it to IKEA.
- Leave the boxes closed and lay them flat, not leaning against a wall. Long panels can warp otherwise.
- Keep your order confirmation. You will need it if anything is missing.
Getting the room ready
- Clear the spot for the furniture, plus a stretch of floor to lay out the parts. For a tall wardrobe, that is roughly the length of the wardrobe.
- Remove old furniture, or agree in advance that the assembler will take it apart.
- Make sure the route to the room is clear: hallway, stairs and doorways.
- Is the floor new or delicate? Let us know and we will work on a rug or on the cardboard.
What to tell us in advance
With this information the price is right first time and the assembler brings the right materials:
- Your order list or a screenshot of your basket, including the doors and the layout.
- The floor you live on and whether there is a lift.
- The ceiling height for tall wardrobes. Also read our article on PAX and ceiling height.
- The type of wall: concrete, brick, plasterboard or wood. Tall wardrobes are fixed to the wall and every wall needs a different wall plug.
- Whether you want the cardboard removed.
On the day itself
On arrival, point out exactly where the furniture should go and how you want the layout. Drawers and shelves can still be moved later, but it saves work if the layout is right first time.
At the end we go through the result together: are the doors straight, do the drawers run smoothly and is the wardrobe secured to the wall? Then you pay, by card, payment request or bank transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about preparation
Should I open the boxes beforehand?
No, there is no need. Do check that the number of boxes matches your order and that none are visibly damaged. The assembler does the unpacking, so parts stay together.
Do I need to be home during the assembly?
At the start, yes, so you can show where everything goes and how you want the layout. At the end we go through the result together. Then you pay.
What if a part is missing?
Then we assemble what we can. For the missing part, contact IKEA or the seller. A second appointment to finish the job is charged separately.
Do you take the cardboard away?
That is optional. If you want us to remove the cardboard, say so in your request. It will then be listed separately in your quote in advance.
Want it assembled?
Fixed price upfront, pay after the assembly
Upload your order list or a screenshot of your basket and you will receive a clear price by email. No call-out fees, no start-up fee.
Contact
Free, no-obligation quote
Upload your order list or describe what you need assembled. You will receive a clear price by email.
Available Monday to Sunday, 09:00 to 18:00
- 5.0 on Google, 7,000+ assemblies
- Fixed price upfront, from €79
- No call-out fee or starting rate
- Pay after the assembly
- Our own assemblers, since 2014
How it works
- Send your order list or a screenshot
- You receive a fixed price by email
- We assemble, you pay afterwards