Ordered a dresser from IKEA, BRW or Agata Meble — and now you’re looking at a stack of boxes packed with dozens of parts? Dresser assembly seems easy in the manual, but on the job you have to set the drawer runners accurately, measure the cabinet diagonals, and fix the back panel so the whole piece stays rigid. This matters even more with full-extension drawer slides — be off by one millimetre, and the drawer won’t shut flush. If you don’t want to lose half a day over the instructions and risk ruining costly furniture — call a professional.
How much does dresser assembly cost and what affects the price
The cost depends on how many drawers there are, what kind of runners are used, and who made the unit. An IKEA MALM 6-drawer dresser and a BRW dresser with soft-close hardware are two completely different jobs. Up-to-date rates for dresser assembly and related furniture services are listed in the table below. Standard fixings are included in the price; extra materials are billed separately.
| Service | min | max |
|---|---|---|
| Chest of drawers assembly | 180 zł | 300 zł |
| IKEA furniture assembly | 20% of price | 25% of price |
| Hinge adjustment | 60 zł/pc | 120 zł/pc |
| Drawer slides replacement | 80 zł/pc | 180 zł/pc |
How on-site dresser assembly works
- You send photos of the boxes or a link to the model — the technician assesses the job and gives you a price.
- We set a time — often same-day or next-day service.
- At the address, the technician checks all boards and hardware against the instruction manual.
- Builds the cabinet: joins the side panels, top and bottom boards. Checks diagonals with a square — if the difference is more than 2 mm, the cabinet is corrected before the back panel is attached.
- Fits the drawer runners — marks the positions with a template so every drawer sits perfectly parallel.
- Builds the drawers, mounts the fronts, adjusts the gaps.
- Fixes the dresser to the wall with an anchor (anti-tip bracket) — essential if you have children. Tidies up the packaging.
Common mistakes during dresser assembly (and how to avoid them)
- Skipping the cabinet diagonal check before fixing the back panel — the dresser comes out twisted and the drawers start sticking.
- Swapping the left and right drawer runners — the drawer won’t pull out fully or moves on a slant.
- Knocking dowels in without glue — the joint starts to loosen after a few months.
- Overtightening the cam locks — the chipboard splits, especially near the edges.
- Leaving the dresser unsecured to the wall — a tall dresser with the upper drawers open can tip forward. IKEA includes a wall bracket for a reason.
- Storing heavy things in the top drawers — the load spreads badly across the runners, and the lower drawers begin to drop.
- Assembling on an uneven floor without adjusting the feet — the drawer fronts won’t line up properly.
What to prepare before the technician arrives
- Check completeness — open the boxes and compare all parts with the list in the manual.
- Clear some working space — you need at least a 2×2 metre area on the floor.
- Take fragile items out of the room — drilling can create dust.
- Decide where the dresser will stand — the technician will anchor it to the wall right away.
- Check what your wall is made of (concrete, brick, plasterboard) — that decides the anchor type.
- Make sure the assembled dresser will pass through the doorway. If not, tell the technician in advance.
- Have a power socket available for the drill.
- Prepare the intercom code and confirm lift access — carrying boxes upstairs is a separate service.
A real case from Warsaw
A client from the Ursynow district booked assembly of two IKEA MALM dressers — a 6-drawer one for the bedroom and a 3-drawer one for the children’s room. After opening the boxes, it turned out the large dresser was missing one drawer runner — with IKEA this happens in roughly every tenth order. The technician assembled the second dresser while the client arranged the replacement part in the app. He came back the next day and completed the job. Both dressers were fixed to the wall — in the children’s room this was especially important, because the child is 3 years old. The whole job, including both visits, took about 4 hours. Lesson: always check completeness before the technician arrives — it saves both time and money.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to assemble one dresser?
Between 1 and 2.5 hours depending on the number of drawers and the manufacturer. An IKEA MALM with 6 drawers takes about 2 hours.
Is it necessary to anchor the dresser to the wall?
Yes, we strongly advise it, especially if you have small children. Tall dressers with open drawers can tip over easily.
What if the kit is missing parts?
The technician checks completeness on site. If anything is missing, he’ll assemble everything that can be assembled, and the missing part can be ordered from the manufacturer.
Do you assemble dressers from all stores?
Yes — IKEA, BRW, Agata Meble, JYSK, Bodzio, and any others. Just make sure you have the manual and all the parts.
Is waste removal included in the price?
No, removal of packaging is charged extra. But we’ll neatly fold the cardboard and wrap.
Who does the work
Furniture assembly is done by technicians who know cabinet furniture from all major manufacturers. We work across all of Warsaw — from Mokotow to Bielany. For the minimum order amount, see the price table above. To book, call or send us a message — we answer within an hour.