Filing cabinet assembly in Exeter
Professional filing cabinet 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
Filing cabinet assembled properly with smooth-running drawers, anti-tip safety checked, and everything square. Heavy-duty storage for all your paperwork, built to last.
Filing Cabinets That Actually Work
Nothing worse than fighting with a sticky filing cabinet drawer when you're trying to find something important. Professional assembly means smooth operation every time - no wrestling with stuck drawers or wonky runners.
💡 Pro tip: Label your drawers clearly. "Admin", "Bills", "Tax Stuff" works better than trying to remember which drawer is which when you're in a hurry.
Why Assembly Matters For Filing Cabinets
These aren't like other office furniture - they carry serious weight when loaded:
| ✅ Built Properly | ❌ Poor Assembly |
|---|---|
| Smooth drawer operation when loaded | Drawers bind under weight |
| Stable, won't tip when open | Dangerous tipping risk |
| Locks work (if fitted) | Mechanism jams or misaligned |
| Square frame, level on floor | Twisted carcass, wobbles |
What's Included
🔧 Assembly
- Frame/carcass built square
- Drawer runners installed and aligned
- Drawers assembled and tested under load
- Lock mechanism checked (if fitted)
📦 Safety & Setup
- Anti-tip strap fitted (if requested)
- Levelled on your floor
- Positioned where you need it
- All drawers tested for smooth operation
Pricing Guide
| Cabinet Size | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 2-drawer metal | 1 hr | £60 |
| 2-drawer wooden | 1-1.5 hrs | £60-£85 |
| 4-drawer cabinet | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after.
Perfect For
✅ Home offices - keep paperwork organised
✅ Small businesses - secure document storage
✅ Rented offices - freestanding, moves with you
✅ Archive storage - old files out of the way
Why Choose Us for Filing cabinet assembly in Exeter?
Heavy-duty build for loaded drawers
Runners aligned for smooth operation
Anti-tip safety checked
Lock mechanism tested if fitted
What to Expect
Step 1: Unpack & Assess
Check all parts are present (drawer rails often go missing), identify metal vs wooden construction, plan assembly sequence.
Step 2: Build Frame
Assemble the main carcass ensuring it's perfectly square - critical for drawer operation. Install drawer runners precisely aligned.
Step 3: Fit & Test
Install drawers, load test each one to ensure smooth operation under weight, fit locks if included, check stability.
🔧 DIY Tips
Assembling your own filing cabinet? Here's what you need to know:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Screwdriver set (powered saves time)
- Spirit level
- Adjustable spanner (for metal cabinets)
- Rubber mallet
- Work gloves (metal edges are sharp)
📐 Metal cabinet assembly
- Usually comes as pre-built drawer boxes
- Install side rails into frame carefully
- Slide drawers onto rails from back
- Adjust front stops so drawers close flush
- Test each drawer fully loaded
💡 Wooden cabinet assembly
- Build carcass absolutely square (measure diagonals)
- Drawer runners MUST be level and aligned
- Use proper wood screws in pilot holes (prevents splitting)
- Don't over-tighten - wood can compress and crack
- Wax or soap on runner edges helps them slide
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Pinched fingers on metal runner installation (wear gloves)
- Not checking square before tightening
- Installing runners at slightly different heights
- Skipping the anti-tip strap (seriously, fit one)
💡 Pro trick: Filing cabinets work best with files hung front-to-back (perpendicular to drawer front) rather than side-to-side. Easier to see labels and files don't jam sideways.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 Office furniture package? Get filing cabinets assembled alongside desks, drawer units, and shelving - one visit sorts the lot.
Old house with uneven floors? I'll level your cabinet so drawers don't slide open by themselves. Common issue in older Exeter properties where nothing's quite level.
Going paperless but not quite there yet? Filing cabinets hold their value. Get a decent one now, and when you do go fully digital, they make excellent workshop or craft supply storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of filing cabinets do you assemble?
Both metal and wooden. Metal ones are usually pre-assembled drawers that slot into a frame - quicker. Wooden flatpack ones are more involved - full assembly including drawer runners and rails. Either type, I'll get it working properly.
Why pay someone to assemble a filing cabinet?
Fair question. Filing cabinets are heavy when loaded, and if the runners aren't aligned or it's not built square, you'll fight with sticky drawers forever. Plus metal ones can trap fingers badly during assembly - I've got the scars to prove it. Worth getting done right.
Can you fit anti-tip straps?
Yes, and I'd recommend it if you're in a house with kids. Fully loaded filing cabinets with all drawers open can tip forward. Simple wall strap at the back prevents accidents. Takes 5 extra minutes.
What if the drawers don't run smoothly after assembly?
That's a sign it's not built square or the runners are misaligned. If I've built it and drawers are sticky, I'll sort it - no question. If you've assembled it yourself and want me to fix it, I can usually adjust runners or square up the frame.
How long does filing cabinet assembly take?
Metal 2-drawer units - about 45 minutes. Wooden 4-drawer flatpack cabinets - closer to 2 hours. The more drawers and the more complex the runner system, the longer it takes to get everything aligned properly.
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Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your filing cabinet assembly job in Exeter.
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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