Furniture assembly in Austin

Most flat-pack furniture in Austin comes from IKEA's store in Round Rock or its order and pick-up points in town, or arrives in boxes from online stores. Whatever the brand, the job is priced per item, so say what you have: the brand, the model and how many boxes. A desk in one box and a wardrobe in six are different jobs.

Apartments and older homes

Tell your helper the floor, whether there's an elevator, and where to park. Some apartment buildings ask you to book the elevator or the loading area for bulky deliveries. In older bungalows, like many in Hyde Park or Travis Heights, mention narrow doorways and stairs, so each piece is built in the room where it will stay.

Anchoring to the wall

Tall dressers and bookcases should be anchored against tipping. If you want that, include it in your task: it's part of the job only when it's agreed. Anchors need studs or the right wall plugs, so say whether your walls are drywall, plaster or brick. Mounting a TV isn't furniture assembly.

Before your helper arrives

• Put the boxes in the room where the furniture goes, with space to work around them.
• Keep the hardware bags and the instructions together.
• If you rent, check your lease before anything is drilled into a wall.