Table or desk assembly

A flat-pack table or desk looks like a simple piece of furniture, yet it is the one that has to stand steady for years and not wobble when someone writes, eats or leans on their elbows. Table or desk assembly means building the frame, tightening every joint to the right torque and levelling it on the floor.

What assembly covers

• unpacking, checking parts against the list and setting out the screws in order;
• building the frame and legs and fixing them to the top;
• for electric sit-stand desks: fitting the columns, motor, controller and cables;
• tightening the joints, adjusting the feet and placing the piece where it will stay;
• fitting extras: drawers, cable trays, a monitor arm.

Height-adjustable desks

Standing desks are heavier and fussier than ordinary ones. The columns must be square, and the cables routed so they are not torn out when the top rises. After assembly the handyman runs the calibration and checks the top lifts smoothly without tilting. If the desk is going under a sloping ceiling or next to a windowsill, measure first whether it fits at full height.

A large dining table

A heavy solid wood or sintered stone top takes two people to fit, as it is easy to drop or scratch. Extending tables have a mechanism that should run lightly with no gap between the leaves. The handyman sets it up so the insert fits and the legs do not splay out on laminate.

Common questions