Bookcase assembly in Exeter
Professional bookcase assembly services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£110
Typical Duration
1-2 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Professional bookcase assembly - freestanding and wall-secured units built square and level. Shelves positioned where you want them, back panels fitted properly, safety fixings included.
Square, Level & Safe
Bookcases look simple, but a surprising number end up leaning, wobbly, or just looking off. The problem is usually that they're not built square - get the first few panels slightly wrong and the error compounds.
⚠️ Safety first. Bookcase tip-overs injure thousands of children every year. I wall-fix any bookcase that could pose a tipping risk.
Why Bookcases Go Wrong
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Common Problems |
|---|---|
| Frame perfectly square | Shelves slope, looks wonky |
| Back panel seated properly | Frame twists over time |
| Wall-secured for safety | Tipping hazard with children |
| Adjustable feet used | Rocks on uneven floor |
A leaning bookcase looks wrong and can be dangerous. I check every diagonal to make sure yours is perfectly square.
What You Get
🔧 Full Assembly
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Parts check | Inventory and hardware count |
| Build | Frame assembled and squared |
| Back panel | Properly seated for rigidity |
| Wall fix | Safety bracket installed |
| Shelves | Positioned at heights you want |
📦 Multiple Units
For walls of bookcases (Billy runs, etc.):
- All units aligned perfectly
- Joined together securely
- Single wall fixing for whole assembly
- Gaps filled for built-in look
Pricing Guide
| Bookcase Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Billy/similar | 1 hr | £60 |
| Large unit with doors | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
| Multiple units joined | 2 hrs | £110 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after.
Perfect For...
✅ IKEA Billy - The classic, done right
✅ Kallax units - Cube storage assembled
✅ Tall bookcases - Wall-fixed for safety
✅ Multiple units - Joined for seamless look
Why Choose Us for Bookcase assembly in Exeter?
Built perfectly square - shelves sit level
Wall-secured to prevent tipping
Shelves positioned at heights you want
Multiple units joined for seamless look
What to Expect
Step 1: Parts Check
Full inventory, hardware count, confirm shelf positions you want.
Step 2: Build & Square
Frame assembled, both diagonals checked (they must match), back panel fitted and secured properly.
Step 3: Fix & Finish
Wall bracket installed for safety, shelves positioned, unit levelled on floor.
🔧 DIY Tips
Building it yourself? Here's how to get it square:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Phillips screwdriver
- Rubber mallet
- Spirit level
- Tape measure
- Cordless drill (for wall fixing)
📐 The squaring secret
- Build frame loosely first
- Measure both diagonals corner to corner
- Adjust until both measurements are identical
- Insert back panel while frame is held square
- Only then tighten everything
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Tightening before checking square (biggest issue)
- Back panel not in groove properly
- Over-tightening cam locks
- Skipping wall fixing
💡 Pro trick: The back panel is what keeps a bookcase square long-term. Make sure it sits fully in the groove all the way around before tapping in the nails. A loose back panel lets the whole frame twist.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
📚 Plan shelf heights first - It's easier to set shelves during build than adjust later when loaded with books. Think about what's going where.
Shelf spacing tips:
- Paperbacks: 8-9 inches
- Hardbacks: 10-12 inches
- Art books/records: 14+ inches
- Leave one tall space for vases
Safety:
- Wall-fix any bookcase in homes with children
- Distribute heavy items across multiple shelves
- Don't overload top shelves - affects stability
Heavy items:
- Records are surprisingly heavy
- Encyclopaedias even more so
- Consider floor load on upper floors
Frequently Asked Questions
Do bookcases need to be fixed to the wall?
Tall bookcases absolutely should be. Books are surprisingly heavy, and a loaded bookcase can weigh several hundred kilos. Add a child who decides to climb it, and you've got a serious tipping hazard. I fix any bookcase over waist height to the wall.
Can you assemble IKEA Billy bookcases?
Yes - Billy is probably the most common bookcase I assemble. They're straightforward but the back panel needs proper attention and tall units need wall fixing. I've done enough to build them quickly and correctly.
Can you join multiple bookcases together?
Yes, and this is where it gets fiddly for DIY. Getting multiple units perfectly aligned, joining them securely, and wall-mounting the whole assembly takes patience. The result looks much better than separate bookcases with gaps.
My old bookcase leans - can you fix it?
Usually, yes. Leaning bookcases are almost always out of square or have a loose back panel. Sometimes I can fix it in place; sometimes it needs partial dismantling. Worth a look rather than replacing it.
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01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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