"I'll just build it myself - it's free!" Famous last words. Let's do the real maths on DIY vs professional assembly.
The Obvious Comparison
Professional Cost
IKEA PAX wardrobe (2 frames, sliding doors): Professional assembly: £100-150
DIY Cost
Materials: £0 (you have the tools, right?) Time: 4-6 hours (if it goes smoothly)
Obvious winner: DIY, if time is free.
But time isn't free.
Hidden Cost 1: Your Time
What's Your Time Worth?
If you earn £15/hour and the assembly takes 5 hours: Opportunity cost: £75
If you earn £30/hour: Opportunity cost: £150
If it's your Saturday and you'd rather be doing literally anything else: Sanity cost: Significant
Time You Don't Account For
- Reading instructions (and re-reading)
- Finding tools
- Trips to buy tools you don't have
- Fixing mistakes
- Cleaning up packaging
- Disposing of boxes
Add 20-50% to your time estimate.
Hidden Cost 2: Tools
What You Need
Minimum for flat pack:
- Screwdrivers (various)
- Allen keys (often provided but awkward)
- Hammer
- Spirit level
- Drill (for wall fixing)
Helpful extras:
- Electric screwdriver (saves hours)
- Socket set
- Rubber mallet
- Clamps
If You Don't Have Tools
| Tool | Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic tool set | £30-50 |
| Electric screwdriver | £30-80 |
| Drill | £50-150 |
| Spirit level | £10-30 |
First flat pack build tool cost: £100-300
If you'll use them again: worthwhile investment. If they'll gather dust: hidden cost.
Hidden Cost 3: Mistakes
Common DIY Mistakes
Panel in wrong orientation:
- Time to disassemble: 30-60 minutes
- Risk of damage: Medium
- Frustration: High
Over-tightened cam lock:
- Hole now damaged
- Needs repair or replacement panel
- Cost: £0 (repair) to £50+ (new panel)
Wrong-length screw through visible surface:
- Usually unfixable
- Replacement panel needed
- Or live with it forever
Assembly in wrong order:
- Complete restart sometimes necessary
- Time cost: 1-3 hours
Damage Costs
| Issue | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stripped cam lock hole | £0-20 (repair) |
| Scratched panel | £0-50 (touch-up/replace) |
| Broken hinge mount | £10-30 (replacement) |
| Completely unusable piece | £30-150+ |
Hidden Cost 4: Result Quality
Professional Assembly
- Every screw properly tightened
- All alignments checked
- Wall fixings done safely
- Doors adjusted
- Drawers aligned
- Result: Solid, level, working correctly
DIY Assembly
Best case:
- Takes longer but works
- Pretty good result
- You learned something
Middling case:
- Works but slightly wonky
- One door doesn't quite close
- Some wobble you've accepted
- Nobody mentions it
Worst case:
- Obvious problems
- Doesn't work properly
- You've lost the will to live
- Professional called in to fix it
Hidden Cost 5: Stress
Can't Be Quantified But Is Real
Stress factors:
- Instructions that don't make sense
- Parts that don't fit
- Two-person job with one person
- Family "helping"
- Deadline pressure
- Tools not working
- Missing pieces (call centre on hold)
Relationship Costs
Flat pack assembly features in many divorce stories. Mostly joking. Mostly.
When DIY Makes Sense
Good Candidates for DIY
Small, simple items:
- Single bookcase
- Side table
- Small TV unit
- Chair
When you:
- Have the tools
- Have done it before
- Enjoy the process
- Have time to spare
- Don't mind imperfection
The Break-Even Point
DIY is genuinely cheaper when:
- Your time is worth less than £10-15/hour
- You have all the tools
- The item is simple
- You make no mistakes
- You don't count stress
When Professional Makes Sense
Good Candidates for Professional
Complex items:
- PAX wardrobes (especially sliding doors)
- Large TV units
- Beds with complicated mechanisms
- Multiple units fitted together
- Anything with glass
When you:
- Value your weekend
- Don't have tools
- Hate flat pack
- Need it done quickly
- Want guaranteed results
- Are buying something expensive
Real Cost Comparison
Example: Medium IKEA Bedroom Set
Set: PAX wardrobe + MALM drawers + BRIMNES bed
Professional:
- Assembly: £200-250
- Done in: 4-5 hours (while you do other things)
- Result: Perfect
- Total cost: £200-250
DIY:
- Your time: 8-12 hours (£120-360 at £15-30/hour)
- Tools (if needed): £50-100
- Mistakes (likely with this much): £0-50
- Stress: Real but unquantified
- Hidden cost: £170-510+
Actual saving from DIY: Minimal to negative
The Honest Recommendation
Pay for Assembly If:
- It's complicated
- You don't have tools
- Your time is valuable
- You hate the process
- Getting it right matters
DIY If:
- It's simple
- You enjoy it
- You have time
- Tools are available
- Mistakes won't ruin your day
The Middle Ground
Do the simple stuff yourself. Pay for the complex stuff. That wardrobe with sliding doors and interior fittings? That's a professional job.
Got flat pack that needs building? I assemble everything from simple bookcases to complex bedroom sets across Exeter. Fair prices, quality results, no stress for you. Call 01392 964094 or get a quote.
Sam Hembury
Sam is the founder of Hembury Contracting, providing professional handyman services across Exeter and Devon. With years of experience in property maintenance, he shares practical tips to help homeowners tackle common tasks.