Moving IKEA and other flat pack furniture
IKEA has been around in the UK for over 30 years, and changed furniture forever all across the world. Flat pack furniture can now be found almost everywhere, from inexpensive to higher end products. Most of us have at least one piece of flat pack furniture from IKEA or another company in our homes.
Now that you're moving home, you need to think about moving any flat pack furniture in your home - we've got some tips for you!
Things to remember
If you're disassembling your furniture yourself, be sure to put all the bits and pieces together in a plastic bag - and label it so you know where they came from. If you're taking apart more than one piece of furniture, keep the bits for each piece in their own bag, so you don't get confused when you begin to put them together again.
Take photos of how the furniture looked before you took it apart, and of any joints or difficult sections that you encounter - it will help you if you're reassembling your furniture in your new home.

Talk with your removal surveyor
During your removal estimate survey, talk with the surveyor about your furniture. They'll be able to tell you what will most likely need to be dismantled or not for your move. When planning your move, don't forget about your new home - will there be any tight corners, difficult staircases or other issues which may mean that furniture coming out assembled from your current home won't fit into your new home without being disassembled?
We usually dismantle and reassemble most beds (bunk beds and cabin beds are an exception for reassembly) during a removal, along with simple wardrobes, bookcases, etc - but be sure to discuss this with your surveyor for details.


Look at your furniture
Moving home is the perfect time to make some changes with your furniture. Take a look at your current furniture; are any pieces a bit wobbly or damaged, or have they been moved before?
Was the item assembled inside the room where it currently is placed? It may need to be disassembled prior to being moved.
Does it need to be disassembled?
Not all flat pack furniture should be disassembled when you're moving. In fact, smaller pieces should not be taken apart to be moved - they're sturdier and easier to move as one piece

Questions to ask yourself about your flat pack furniture
Has it been dismantled before?
Most flat pack furniture can manage being dismantled and reassembled once - but because the screw holes tend to get bigger each time they're reassembled, it may no longer be secure once reassembled and should be disposed of
Will it fit in your new home?
Your wardrobe may fit through the door and down the stairs in your current home without being taken apart - but will it go upstairs without a problem in your new home?
Do you want to reassemble it again?
Sometimes we can reassemble all of your furniture, however, there are times where you might need to do it - do you want to do this (without the original instructions, as most of us put these in the rubbish after the initial assembly!)
Did you assemble it yourself?
How long did it take you to assemble the piece originally? It will probably take us the same amount of time to reassemble it, which may add to the price of your move
Have you lost the instructions or a bolt?
If you purchased your flat pack furniture from IKEA, they have instructions available for their items online - for products they no longer sell, get in touch with them for the instructions - for items they're currently selling, instructions are usually on their website (here's the instructions to a Billy bookcase, just in case you're missing those!)
If you've lost an IKEA peg, bolt, screw or other fastener, pop into IKEA where you can find bins of replacements in the customer service department

Removal quote appointment booking service
Britannia Bradshaw can help your move go smoothly. Contact us for a free, no obligation quote, or by calling 0161 877 5555 (Manchester) or 0121 504 0966 (Birmingham & Coventry) and speak with one of our removals specialists.
How are our appointments carried out
In the current times you might prefer that we don't visit your house in person to carry out a survey. This is fully understandable and we can just as easily undertake the survey by video call, using whatever method you're comfortable with, usually FaceTime or WhatsApp.
See what our customers think of us...
Helpful and friendly and took great care with all our belongings
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Google search
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
8/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
8/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
I got 4 quotes and your was the one that was reasonably priced and reinstalled furniture for us also the home visit was friendly
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
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Helpful and friendly and took great care with all our belongings
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
N/a
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
It was done in great time
Fast, caring and focused
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
My mum was moving and she had received a flyer through her door
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
9/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
7/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Cost and service offered
How would you rate your move team?
9/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Fast, caring and focused
How would you rate our communication?
9/10
How can we improve our service?
Send a final note the day before the move to confirm you are coming the next day and approx time
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
9/10
I could not have wished for a better removal experience
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
I liked the look of your vehicles
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Everything was looking good but when it was suggested to do a partial load the previous day that sold me.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
They were stars of the highest calibre, so organised and helpful, nothing was too much trouble.
It was a long day since due to a national banking system problem the legal completion was late and they waited over 4 hours at my new property before the keys were released. Once we were in the four guys worked as a team and quickly, though with great care, moved me in. I could not have wished for a better removal experience. All the guys were great but their leader George was a brilliant communicator and made sure I was okay throughout the process.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Keep doing what you are doing
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
Thankfully Britannia Bradshaw took much of the stress off me
Email to Sam
Thank you for your help in make my house move go as smoothly as possible. I would also like to convey my personal thanks to the team that physically moved my belongings, George, Dave, Duncan and Mike. They were all brilliant throughout the process and nothing was too much trouble. As you are aware I was victim of late key syndrome. With that in mind I knew the lads were quite entitled to call it a day and finish the move another day. However, they were patient and gave me enough time to thankfully obtain the keys. Once we were in it was amazing how efficiently they worked as a team shifting my gear. Despite the time they took great care and worked with me on what went where etc.
I have been a senior manager in a service industry and trust me these people were top notch. George kept liaising with me so fantastic coordination and communication skills.
I will make it my business to recommend Britannia Bradshaw to all of my friends and colleagues.
Thank you again
David WilsonThe lads who moved us worked so hard and till late
Email to Martin Wilkes
We just wanted to thank you and your team for a smooth move. The lads who moved us worked so hard and till late, to finish the job. We would also like to thank you Martin for tips on packing and reassurance that the job was going to be done professionally and it was. Thanks again & Merry Christmas.
Chris ShirleyUK Quote
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