Furniture assembly in Torrevieja and the Costa Blanca

Most-requested brands and what to know about each

IKEA is by far the most demanded. The furniture is reasonably well designed, the instructions are clear (no text, universal pictures) and components fit precisely when assembled correctly. The most common mistake is over-tightening the plastic cam screws, which break and need replacing. The right technique is hand-tighten until it stops, then half a turn with a screwdriver, never electric.

Leroy Merlin is similar quality to IKEA in the mid-high range, slightly below in the budget range. Their own kitchen lines are good. The catch is that components often arrive slightly out of true and need hinge and runner adjustment at the end of assembly, which IKEA usually doesn’t require.

Amazon is a separate case because quality varies wildly by seller and brand. Some excellent, some unviable that break during assembly. If unsure, send us a photo of the box before booking and we’ll tell you if it’s assemblable or worth returning.

Average time by furniture type

A standard IKEA Billy bookshelf takes 30-45 minutes. A three-door wardrobe with internal drawers, 90 minutes to 2 hours. A double bed with slatted base, 60-90 minutes. An extending dining table with chairs, 45-90 minutes by model. A simple desk, 30-45 minutes.

For larger jobs like full IKEA Metod kitchens, realistic timing is 1-2 full days with two people. Includes laying out the parts, building modules one by one, wall-fixing with proper screws, adjusting doors and drawers to millimetre alignment, fitting plinths, installing appliances and cutting countertop where needed.

Risks of DIY assembly

First risk is voiding the manufacturer warranty. IKEA, for example, requires assembly per instructions for warranty to apply. If the unit fails due to incorrect assembly, they won’t cover. We’ve seen wardrobes collapse a month after assembly because someone over-screwed or skipped fixings.

Second risk is wall damage. Anchoring a tall unit to the wall without the right plug for the material can rip the plaster or brick when someone pulls a drawer. Each material (concrete, brick, plasterboard, tile) takes specific plugs. Using the same generic plug for everything is the recipe for the unit collapsing weeks later.

Full kitchens: process and coordination

For full IKEA, Leroy Merlin or carpenter kitchens, typical process is: site visit to measure and check walls (rarely perfectly straight, so adjustments are normal), workshop pre-assembly where possible to accelerate, on-site install with fixing and levelling, appliance connection coordinated with electrician and plumber if required, fine adjustment of doors and drawers, plinth and trim fitting.

Total timing is 2-4 days by kitchen size. Plan ahead, kitchens have long delivery windows (4-8 weeks IKEA, up to 12 elsewhere) and you want the handyman booked before materials arrive.