Do Moving Companies Disassemble Furniture? What to Expect

What Furniture Do Movers Typically Disassemble?

Moving companies will take apart large or unwieldy furniture so that it’s easier to move. The pieces shouldn’t require anything beyond basic hand tools, such as screwdrivers or Allen keys, to break down.  

Here are common furniture items your movers may take apart before transporting them:

• Standard and platform beds: Detaching the headboard and footboard from the bed frame makes it easier to lift.
• Dining tables: Table tops can be padded with moving blankets and carried flat when the legs are detached.  
• Furniture with mirrors: Mirrors are removed from dressers and vanities so they can be protected for transport.
• Basic desks: Movers may separate the desk top and base of larger desks for easier loading onto the truck.
• Sectional sofas: The pieces of a sectional couch can be unfastened from their brackets and lifted separately. 

Movers take apart furniture to ensure it’s safer and more efficient to move. They won’t, however, modify or repair pieces, such as changing the height of a desk or tightening table legs to prevent wobbling. 

What Furniture Movers Usually Will Not Disassemble

Movers usually won’t break down furniture if they need more than basic hand tools or if there’s a safety or liability concern. For example, pieces connected to plumbing or electricity may need special expertise or a license. There’s also a risk of structural damage when dismantling built-in or customized furniture. 

Here are examples of items your movers might not disassemble: 

• Entertainment units or shelving with hard-wired lighting
• Furniture connected to plumbing, such as a wet bar
• Built-in or wall-mounted furniture
• Custom cabinetry or shelving
• High-end heirlooms or antiques
• Cribs
• Wall-mounted TVs
• Built-in aquariums

Ask your movers how they suggest handling these kinds of items before moving day.

Does Furniture Disassembly Depend on the Type of Moving Service?

Moving companies handle furniture disassembly differently. It usually depends on the level of service they provide. Always confirm what’s included in your quote to avoid surprises or delays.

Full-Service Moving

Full-service moving companies almost always include furniture disassembly as part of their basic service. This helps ease some of the stress of moving, because your movers: 

• Come prepared with the right tools
• Know how to handle different types of furniture
• Quickly reassemble items once you’re in your new home

You can also request packing services to streamline your move, although this is an add-on service with a fee, and will increase your moving costs.

Labor-Only Moving

Labor-only movers offer limited services. They focus mostly on loading and unloading a rental truck or moving container. They often expect the furniture to be taken apart and ready to move, but may offer disassembly and assembly help if you ask ahead. 

You’ll likely need to provide tools and pay extra for furniture disassembly services. However, it can be a cost-friendly way to get help moving heavy furniture if you’re renting a truck or container. 

Here’s a summary of different types of moves and whether you can expect furniture disassembly and assembly to be included:

Should You DIY Or Have Movers Handle Furniture Assembly and Disassembly?

Deciding whether to take furniture apart yourself or let movers do it comes down to time, tools, and how complicated your pieces are.

Consider hiring movers for furniture disassembly if you want:

• To save time: Movers can take apart and set up furniture much faster than most people, which leaves you free to handle other parts of your move.
• Reduced risk of damage: They know how to protect furniture, hardware, and finishes, so everything gets to your new home in good shape.
• Convenience: With one service managing the work, you don’t have to search for tools or extra help.
• Less stress: Large items like beds, sectionals, and desks are ready to use right away, making the first days in your new home easier.

Here are some reasons you may want to take furniture apart yourself:

• Extra cost: Some movers add a fee for assembly and disassembly, especially labor-only movers. If you’re billed hourly, extra time spent on furniture bumps up the bill. 
• Plan ahead: You have to let the crew know in advance so they can bring the right tools and schedule enough time. This may not be possible if you’re moving on short notice.
• Not all items qualify: Antiques, mounted TVs, and custom furniture may need a specialist.

By weighing these factors, you can decide whether the convenience of having moving companies disassemble furniture is worth the extra expense.

Tools, Hardware, and How Movers Handle Screws and Bolts

Professional movers bring furniture dollies, moving blankets, and straps to efficiently transport your items. They’re also equipped with basic hand tools for taking things apart, including:  

• Wrenches
• Screwdrivers
• Hammers
• Pliers
• Allen keys

Once they disassemble a piece of furniture, they usually bag, label, and attach the hardware to the item. It’s much easier to reassemble furniture in your new home if the hardware is kept together.

When breaking down furniture yourself, follow the same procedure and keep the nuts, screws, and bolts for each piece together. It’s nearly impossible to tell which parts go with which piece of furniture if the hardware is mixed. 

Do Movers Reassemble Furniture at the New Home?

Moving services usually reassemble anything they took apart, so your furniture is in the same form as before the movers arrived. They’re unlikely to put together furniture that was already disassembled or take on extra tasks, such as putting together new pieces you purchased for your space. 

Their focus is on getting your belongings to your new home safely so you can settle in. By the time everything is unloaded, they’ll likely have limited time and energy for additional requests. 

Will Disassembling Furniture Affect Cost?

Most full-service movers include basic furniture disassembly as part of their services, as it’s much faster to carry and load smaller pieces. Some oversized or specialized pieces of furniture can take longer to break down, which will add time to your move. Your moving company may charge extra for these complex pieces.

Always let your movers know ahead of time if you have furniture that calls for extra attention. They can adjust their moving quote so you don’t incur unexpected charges or fall behind schedule on moving day. 

Liability, Damage, and Insurance Considerations

Movers are liable for damage that occurs when your items are under their care. If they take furniture apart and break a bed slat, it’s usually clear they’re responsible.

It’s more difficult to make a claim if you disassembled the furniture. Did the slat break when you took apart the bed or when the movers loaded it onto the truck? Claims are usually more straightforward if movers manage the entire process themselves. 

Should You Disassemble Furniture Yourself Before Movers Arrive?

Sometimes it makes sense to take furniture apart yourself. Consider disassembling pieces in advance if:

• You’re moving on a budget or paying movers hourly and don’t want to incur extra costs.
• Your home has narrow hallways or tight staircases that can complicate a move, and you want to save the movers’ time.

Remember to securely attach hardware to each piece of furniture so small pieces don’t get lost. You could also photograph the condition of certain pieces. This can help avoid liability issues in case there’s damage after your movers have started work. 

How to Prepare Furniture for Movers (Quick Checklist)

Professional movers are ready to handle almost every situation, but you can help things go smoothly by prepping your furniture ahead of time. 

Here are a few things to add to your moving checklist to ensure your furniture is ready for the movers:

• Let the moving company know about fragile or oversized pieces that are difficult to break down or require special handling.
• Empty personal items from drawers so pieces are easier to carry. 
• Wrap or pack removable components such as sofa cushions and shelves.
• Secure cabinet doors so they don’t swing open when furniture is lifted. 
• Ensure movers can easily navigate your home by clearing obstacles from stairs, hallways, and entryways.

Furniture Types That May Require Special Handling

Some specialized pieces of furniture aren’t as straightforward to break down as standard ones. Ask your movers about the following furniture types, which may need more care:

• Adjustable beds: Beds that have mechanical or electronic parts, such as Sleep Number beds, are heavy and fragile. Their mattresses, frames, motors, and control units need more protection to move safely than standard beds.
• IKEA or flat-pack furniture: DIY-assembly furniture is designed to fit together easily, but can be hard to take apart. Complex designs can also be tricky to rebuild without detailed instructions.  
• Sectional sofas: Modular couches are fastened together with clips so they don’t shift during use. Movers need to carefully separate the components so the brackets don’t snap off during a move.
• Antique and handcrafted pieces: Intricate and delicate furniture may be damaged during disassembly. Beds with hand-carved headboards must be meticulously detached. China cabinets with multiple parts, such as a glass display case and a solid base, need careful lifting and separating.