Cutting Chipboard & MDF Boards to Size in Warsaw
Is a shop-bought shelf too wide for the alcove, or are your boards a few centimetres oversized? Cutting boards to size is a typical part of furniture fitting — we trim laminated chipboard, MDF or worktops so they fit flush with no gaps. We do it at your place, cleanly, protecting the edge from chipping. Below is when it is worth cutting on site, when to order panel cutting, and how to prepare.
How much board cutting costs and what affects the price
The price depends on the number of cuts, the board thickness and type (laminate, MDF, worktop) and whether edge banding is needed. A simple shelf trim is cheaper than cutting several parts to fit an alcove. Current rates are in the table below — we quote upfront and you pay after the job. Materials (edging, trims) are charged separately.
| Service | min | max |
|---|---|---|
| IKEA furniture assembly | 20% of price | 25% of price |
| Freestanding wardrobe assembly | 250 zł | 450 zł |
| Built-in wardrobe installation | 400 zł | 800 zł |
| Chest of drawers assembly | 180 zł | 300 zł |
| Bed assembly | 200 zł | 350 zł |
| Table / desk assembly | 180 zł | 300 zł |
| Chair assembly | 40 zł/pc | 80 zł/pc |
| Furniture disassembly | 100 zł | 250 zł |
| Furniture rearrangement in apartment | 120 zł/h | 200 zł/h |
| Furniture repair | 150 zł | 350 zł |
| Hinge adjustment | 60 zł/pc | 120 zł/pc |
| Hinge replacement | 60 zł/pc | 120 zł/pc |
| Drawer slides replacement | 80 zł/pc | 180 zł/pc |
| Furniture modification | 150 zł | 400 zł |
| Furniture shortening | 120 zł | 300 zł |
| Furniture fitting to alcove | 250 zł | 600 zł |
| Shelf installation | 80 zł | 150 zł |
| Coat hanger installation | 60 zł | 120 zł |
How the cutting visit works
- Measuring the alcove or furniture and setting the final dimensions with allowance.
- Marking the cut line and taping it to minimise laminate chipping.
- Cutting with a laminate blade or a plunge saw on a guide rail.
- Levelling and chamfering the edge, removing burrs.
- Banding the visible edge (if ordered).
- A trial fit on site and any correction for a perfect fit.
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Measuring ‘by eye’ with no allowance — the board comes out short and is wasted.
- Cutting with an ordinary saw without tape — the laminate chips at the edge.
- No edge banding on MDF in a damp room — the board swells over time.
- Ordering a cut without checking wall plumb — alcoves are rarely perfectly square.
- Cutting a worktop from the wrong side — chips end up on the visible surface.
- Confusing board thickness (16 vs 18 mm) when ordering material.
What to prepare before the technician arrives
- Have the board/part to cut and the spot where it will go ready.
- Measure the alcove at several points (top, middle, bottom) — walls can be uneven.
- Provide a work space and access to a socket.
- If you have it, edge banding in the board colour.
- Protect nearby furniture and the floor from dust.
- Decide which edge will be visible — it sets the cut side.
- Allow 30–60 minutes for a simple trim.
- Tell us if the board is very large or heavy (worktop) — we will bring the right tools.
A case from Warsaw — Ursynów, shelves for an alcove
A client in Ursynów bought ready-made shelves, but the alcove turned out 2 cm narrower at the bottom than at the top. The shelves would not fit, and returning them was no longer an option.
We measured the alcove at three points, cut each shelf to the real size and banded the edges in a matching colour. Cutting along tape on a guide rail gave a clean, chip-free edge.
After a trial fit everything sat flush, with no gaps. The visit took about 50 minutes. The takeaway: with alcoves you almost always need to cut on site to the real size rather than rely on stock dimensions.
Frequently asked questions
Do you cut boards at the client’s place?
Yes, simple cuts and fitting are done on site. For a large cut list it is sometimes cheaper to order panel cutting and just fit it.
What boards can you cut?
Laminated chipboard, MDF, plywood, panels and kitchen worktops. We match the tool to the cut.
Will the edge chip?
Cutting along tape with the right blade gives a clean edge. Visible edges are also banded.
Will you band the edges?
Yes, with iron-on or glued edging if you provide material in the board colour.
Can you cut a worktop for a sink?
Yes, we make cut-outs for sinks and hobs, protecting the edge from moisture.
Order panel cutting or cut on site?
For regular rectangles, panel cutting can be cheaper. For alcoves and odd sizes, cutting on site to the real measurement is better.
Will you clean up the dust?
Yes, we work with a vacuum and tidy up. Removing larger offcuts is agreed separately.
How long does it take?
A simple cut is 30–60 minutes. Cutting several parts with banding takes longer.
Do you travel outside the centre?
Yes, across all of Warsaw and nearby — Ursynów, Mokotów, Wola, Białołęka and beyond.
Do you issue an invoice?
Yes, we issue a VAT invoice on request.
Who does the work and how we work
Cutting and assembly are carried out by experienced HandyMan24 technicians who assemble and fit furniture across Warsaw every day. We work with a vacuum, keep edges clean and tidy up after ourselves. We arrive at the agreed time, quote upfront, payment after the job, no deposits.
Need a board or shelf trimmed to size? Leave a request online — we will come, measure and fit it on site.