Updated: November 11, 2025
You look at the bed with its massive headboard, the dining table with its thick legs, or the heavy wardrobe, and you think: “Will the movers be able to disassemble all this, or will I have to do it myself?” Everyone asks themselves this question before moving, and it's perfectly logical.
The short answer is yes, most moving companies offer furniture disassembly and reassembly services. But it's important to understand what's included in the standard service, what you have to pay extra for, and what items they don't disassemble at all.
We have prepared a detailed guide based on real-life experience with moving. In it, we will tell you:
- what items movers usually disassemble and reassemble;
- what is not included in standard moving day service;
- how to prepare if you want to save time and avoid damage.
Table of Contents
What Movers Usually Disassemble and Assemble
Disassembling furniture before moving is not just a matter of convenience, but often a necessary part of safe transportation. In practice, furniture movers almost always disassemble large and bulky items such as beds, large dining tables, sectional sofas, and cabinets with glass inserts. Not only are these items difficult to move when assembled, but there is also a risk of damaging them during transport or when loading them onto a truck.
Special attention should be paid to furniture from IKEA, Wayfair, and other modular manufacturers. Such structures are originally designed for compact transportation in disassembled form, which means that disassembly is almost always necessary when moving. Many models are assembled from thin panels and are held together by numerous connections that can easily loosen during transportation.
Some items, such as mirrored dressers or desks with built-in drawers, may require partial disassembly, depending on their design and materials. In the case of standard furniture, such as beds and large tables, furniture disassembly and reassembly are almost always included in the basic service. However, when it comes to non-standard items such as exercise equipment, wall-mounted elements, or massive storage systems, movers may either refuse to disassemble them or offer to do so for an additional fee. The same applies to furniture that is difficult to disassemble without risk of damage, such as older models or homemade designs.
In our experience, if an item has removable legs, glass elements, or was originally delivered in flat packaging, it will almost certainly need to be disassembled. To avoid surprises on moving day, it is important to discuss with the company in advance which items will require preparation and whether they are included in the standard moving company furniture disassembly services.
What Movers Usually Don’t Disassemble
Although most movers include furniture disassembly and reassembly in their basic services, there are categories of items that are almost always excluded. The reasons vary: design features, fragility, safety, or the company's liability for possible damage.
Movers usually do not touch furniture attached to the wall, such as built-in shelves, cabinets, or TV brackets. Their dismantling requires not only tools but also construction skills — which means it goes beyond the scope of standard services.
A separate area of risk is electronics, wiring, and any elements related to power supply. Movers do not undertake the dismantling of lighting fixtures, smart systems, or complex household appliances. This is because moving companies do not have a license to work with electrical networks — which means that the company is not liable for such actions.
The list of restrictions also includes antique furniture and items that are difficult to assemble. This is especially true for items whose joints have weakened over time or that use adhesive fasteners. Disassembly can damage such items, and movers refuse to perform such work in advance so as not to violate insurance terms and policies on fragile furniture moving.
We often encounter situations where customers ask us to disassemble an old crib or exercise machine that was assembled many years ago. At first glance this seems simple, but in practice, it is precisely these items that often break when reassembled. That is why many movers refuse to disassemble even IKEA beds if they have already been assembled and used — especially if the original instructions and fasteners are missing.
If you are not sure whether a particular item will be included in the list of items that movers do not disassemble, the best solution is to inform the manager in advance and discuss the conditions, restrictions, and responsibilities. This will help avoid misunderstandings on moving day and correctly calculate the time and resources required.
Is Furniture Disassembly and Reassembly Included in the Moving Cost?
In many cases furniture disassembly and reassembly service is indeed included in base price, especially for local moves. This applies to standard items: beds, tables, shelves, and other furniture that movers can disassemble quickly and safely. However conditions may differ for long distance moves: companies often calculate the cost of their services by the hour or by the total weight and volume of the load, so additional services such as furniture disassembly may be charged separately.
In our company's experience, most customers do not incur additional costs if all items that require disassembly are agreed upon in advance. But the market is very diverse: some moving companies include this service by default, while others list it as an additional option.
There are several factors that determine whether furniture disassembly will be free or paid:
- Complexity of construction. A simple bed or table will take 10-15 minutes. But a large wardrobe or exercise machine will require more time and effort.
- The presence of non standard fasteners. Some items (especially branded models) require specific tools.
- The scope of work. If more than five large items need to be disassembled, movers may consider this a separate task.
- The billing format. With hourly billing, additional work automatically increases the total cost.
Should I Disassemble Furniture Myself or Let Movers Do It?
Many customers ask themselves this question before moving: should I disassemble furniture myself or let movers do it? There is no clear answer — it all depends on your time, experience and the complexity of the furniture. Below are the pros and cons of each option, based on our experience with moving.
When is it reasonable to disassemble furniture yourself?
If you want to save money on movers, know how to use tools and have time to prepare, disassembling furniture yourself can be a convenient solution. You control the process, know where each part goes, and can pack everything according to your plan. This is especially true for simple structures such as beds, tables or shelves.
But there are also disadvantages.
In our experience, mistakes made when disassembling furniture yourself are the most common cause of damage. Incorrectly removed fittings, lost fasteners, carelessly unscrewed parts — all of this often causes difficulties when reassembling in a new location. In addition, disassembly requires time, tools, and physical effort. If the furniture is large or complex (for example IKEA wardrobe), there is a risk of damaging it during reassembly.
When is it better to hire movers?
Experienced movers work faster, know how to handle different types of furniture and us right tools. This is especially important if you're short on time—the team will arrive, disassemble, and pack everything in one visit. Plus, if the furniture is damaged, even if the company's employees disassembled it, they're held responsible.
If you still decide to do DIY furniture disassembly here is a short checklist:
- Put all screws and small parts in labeled zip bags. You can attach them with tape to one of the furniture parts. This will make assembly easier.
- Take a photo of the item before disassembly. This will help you remember the order of fastenings and the location of parts.
- Use rubber bands, zip ties, or painter's tape to secure moving parts.
- Empty drawers and compartments. Movers do not recommend transporting furniture with items inside, as there is a risk of damage to the structure.
Bottom line: if you have the experience and time, do it yourself. If not, movers will disassemble it faster and safer. The main thing is to decide in advance and prepare the furniture for transport correctly.
How to Prepare Furniture for Moving Day
Proper preparation of furniture is not only a matter of order but also a way to save time and money on moving day. We regularly encounter situations where customers have not prepared their furniture in advance, which delays the process and, in some cases, causes damage to items during loading. To avoid such problems, just follow a few simple steps.
The first thing to do is to assess which items need to be disassembled. Pay attention to dimensions, fragile parts, glass elements, removable legs, and modules. This inventory will help you understand whether you need to order a disassembly service from movers or if you can prepare everything yourself.
Before moving be sure to measure doorways, hallways, and stairwells. This is especially important if you are moving from old house or apartment with narrow passageways. Measuring doorways for furniture helps avoid situations where furniture does not physically fit and movers are forced to disassemble it on the spot, wasting your and their time.
Clear walkways, remove rugs, fragile items, and small objects from the floor. If you have wood flooring or tile, you can temporarily protect the surface. This reduces the risk of scratches when moving heavy furniture.
Pay special attention to packing. You can rent or request furniture blankets from the company in advance or use your own materials. Wrapping will help protect furniture from chips and scratches during transport.
Before disassembly, do not forget to empty all drawers, shelves, and niches—transporting furniture with contents can lead to breakage. We recommend labeling furniture parts: put all screws and small parts in separate zip bags and label them. It is best to attach the bag to the corresponding piece of furniture with tape. And to make reassembly easier, take a photo of the item before disassembly — this will help you quickly remember where everything went.
This approach avoids unnecessary questions on moving day, speeds up the process, and helps keep your belongings safe. In our team's experience, well-prepared furniture moves faster, safer — and with fewer surprises.
What If the Movers Damage the Furniture?
No one is immune to force majeure on moving day. Even experienced furniture movers can accidentally scratch a cabinet or drop a shelf, especially if the item is bulky or unstable. It is important to understand in advance who is responsible for damage and how the movers' damage policy works.
As a standard most moving companies only take responsibility for items that they packed, disassembled, and moved themselves. If, for example, you disassembled the furniture yourself or did the packing yourself, liability may not be covered in the event of damage. Also movers are not responsible for defects related to wear and tear, poor construction, or hidden damage.
If a company offers moving insurance coverage, it may be included in the price or provided as a separate service. Basic insurance usually compensates for a minimum amount per pound of weight, which rarely covers the full cost of furniture. Therefore if you are transporting expensive or antique items, it is worth considering additional insurance.
A separate issue is reassembled furniture. Some movers do not cover damage that occurs after assembly, especially if the structure was originally unstable. We always recommend ask your movers whether reassembled furniture is covered under their damage policy.
What you can do in advance to reduce the risk of damage:
- Use soft furniture covers and wrapping.
- Empty drawers and secure all moving parts.
- Notify movers about fragile items, especially if they are not obvious.
- Do not rush the loading process and make sure that all items are marked as “fragile” if necessary.
In our experience the better the furniture is prepared, the lower the risk of damage. And if something does happen, its important to record it immediately in the acceptance report and contact the coordinator.
This is how moving day damage protection works — in advance, clearly, and without surprises.