Drawer Slide Replacement in Warsaw — Fix Your Drawers, Not Your Furniture

Does your drawer scrape, tilt, or fall out entirely when you try to open it? In 90% of cases the problem is not the drawer itself but the slides — the metal mechanisms that provide smooth movement. Over time rollers wear down, ball bearings deteriorate, and mountings loosen. Replacing the entire piece of furniture because of one mechanism makes no sense. We replace drawer slides on-site across Warsaw: we match the right type, remove the old ones, install new ones, and adjust the action. Your drawer works like new again.

How much does drawer slide replacement cost and what affects the price

The cost depends on the slide type (roller, ball-bearing, soft-close), the mechanism length, and the number of drawers. Roller slides are the simplest and cheapest but also the least durable. Ball-bearing (telescopic) slides are the standard in modern furniture: full extension, smooth action, higher weight capacity. Soft-close slides are the premium option — the drawer closes by itself, silently. Fixings included with the hardware are covered in the price. The slides themselves are a separate item: the technician will match the right model to your drawer. Check current prices in the table below.

How the on-site replacement works

1. You describe the problem and send a photo of the drawer — the technician identifies the slide type and the size needed.
2. We agree on a date. If the slides are standard, the technician brings them along. If they are non-standard, we order in advance.
3. On-site the technician pulls the drawer out, removes it from the slides, and inspects the furniture carcase: checking for damage to the side panels or cracks in the chipboard.
4. The old slides are removed: screws are taken out and the mounting areas cleaned. If the screw holes are stripped, the technician re-drills and inserts plugs or relocates the fixings.
5. New slides are installed level: one part on the side panel of the furniture, the other on the drawer. Marking is done with a template so that left and right sides are perfectly symmetrical.
6. The drawer is slid back in and the action checked: smoothness, absence of play, soft-close engagement (if applicable).
7. The technician inspects all drawers in the piece and recommends replacing any others that are close to failing.

Common mistakes when replacing drawer slides

• Buying the wrong slide length — measuring the drawer depth instead of the carcase depth. Slides are selected by the internal depth of the furniture, not the drawer.
• Fitting roller slides instead of ball-bearing — saves money, but rollers do not give full extension and wear out faster. The reverse swap is also tricky: ball-bearing slides require a different gap between drawer and carcase.
• Mounting new slides into old stripped holes — screws do not hold, and the drawer sags within a week.
• Not checking level — installing by eye results in a drawer that tilts and jams.
• Ignoring the clearance — the gap between drawer and carcase must be exact (typically 12.7 mm for ball-bearing slides). Too much or too little and the mechanism either binds or has play.
• Replacing slides on one side only — if the other side is also worn, you will be back within a month.
• Using screws of the wrong diameter — too thick splits the chipboard, too thin do not grip.

What to prepare before the technician arrives

• Empty the drawers — remove the contents so the technician can take them out immediately.
• Photograph the old slides from the side and from underneath — this helps identify the type before the visit.
• Measure the internal depth of the furniture carcase (front edge to back panel) — slides are selected by this dimension.
• If you know the furniture manufacturer and model, let the technician know — it speeds up the selection.
• Provide access to the furniture — move it at least 30 cm from the wall so the technician can work from behind.
• Check the drawer itself for damage (cracked base, loose side panels) — you may need a drawer repair in addition to slides.
• Confirm how many drawers need attention — it is more efficient to replace all slides in one visit.
• Provide the intercom code and parking information.
• Ensure access to a power socket — the drill needs charging.
• Remove fragile items from the top of the furniture — working on drawers can cause the unit to vibrate.

A real case from Warsaw

A client in Mokotow contacted us about an IKEA Malm chest of drawers — all four drawers were stiff and pulling crooked. She liked the unit and did not want to buy a new one. On inspection we found the roller slides had reached the end of their life: the plastic rollers had worn down to bare metal, and one had disintegrated completely. On top of that, the screw holes in the chipboard were stripped — the old fixings were wobbling. We suggested upgrading to ball-bearing telescopic slides with full extension: more durable and giving access to the full depth of the drawer. We re-drilled the old mounting holes and fitted chipboard plugs. The new slides were marked out with a template — all four pairs perfectly symmetrical. After installation we checked every drawer: smooth action, zero play, full closure. The job took about ninety minutes. The client said the chest of drawers now works better than when it was new — because the original roller slides had always been cheaper than the ones we fitted.

Frequently asked questions

What types of drawer slides exist?

Three main types: roller (budget, partial extension), ball-bearing telescopic (full extension, smooth action), and soft-close (self-closing, silent). The technician will recommend the best option for your furniture and budget.

Can you fit better slides than the originals?

Yes, this is a common request. For example, swapping rollers for ball-bearing slides or adding a soft-close mechanism. We just need to verify that the clearance between drawer and carcase suits the new type.

Do I need to buy the slides myself?

Not necessarily. The technician can bring the right slides — just send photos and measurements in advance. If you prefer to buy them yourself, confirm the model with the technician first to avoid getting the wrong type or length.

How long does the replacement take?

One drawer — 20 to 30 minutes. A four-drawer chest — about ninety minutes. A kitchen with ten drawers — from three hours, depending on the mechanism type.

What is included in the price?

The technician’s labour, removal of old slides, installation of new ones, adjustment, and a function check. The slides themselves and any extra fixings (plugs, non-standard screws) are charged separately.

Can this be done on any furniture?

On any carcase furniture: chests of drawers, wardrobes, cabinets, kitchen drawers, office pedestals. As long as the carcase is intact and the side panels are not damaged, the slides can be replaced without issues.

What if the chipboard is crumbling at the fixing point?

The technician will assess the damage. If the crack is small, we insert plugs or relocate the mounting points. If the side panel is badly damaged, we will honestly tell you it is simpler to replace the furniture.

Do you work on kitchen drawers?

Yes, kitchen drawers are one of our most common jobs. They typically use Blum, Hettich, or GTV slides. We source compatible replacements or original spare parts.

Who does the work and how we operate

Slide replacement is handled by technicians who work with furniture hardware every day. We know the difference between a Blum Tandembox and a Hettich InnoTech and source compatible replacements. We cover all of Warsaw and surrounding areas: Ursynow, Mokotow, Wola, Bemowo, Praga — we arrive with tools and a stock of popular slide models. To book a visit, call or message us and we will reply within an hour.