How to Start a Furniture Assembly Side Hustle in 2026

Earn $50-$100+ per hour turning IKEA boxes and Amazon deliveries into functional furniture

Startup Cost: $100-$300 Earning: $50-$100+/hour

Why Furniture Assembly Pays $50-100/Hour

Furniture assembly is one of the most underrated side hustles. With IKEA, Wayfair, and Amazon selling millions of flat-pack items yearly, demand for assembly help has never been higher. Most people hate assembling furniture and will gladly pay $50-100+ to have someone else do it.

The best part? You don't need expensive tools or special certifications. A basic toolkit ($50-100) and the ability to follow instructions is all you need. Experienced assemblers complete jobs 2-3x faster than homeowners, making the hourly rate extremely attractive.

Typical Earnings:

  • • Simple item (bookshelf): $25-40, 20-30 minutes
  • • Medium item (desk, bed frame): $50-80, 45-60 minutes
  • • Complex item (wardrobe, entertainment center): $100-200, 1-2 hours

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Essential Gear for Furniture Flippers

Why Furniture Assembly?

Modern furniture assembly service for IKEA and flat-pack items

Online furniture shopping has exploded, but flat-pack assembly remains a dreaded task for many. What takes the average person 3 frustrated hours, an experienced assembler completes in 45 minutes. That skill gap is your income opportunity.

Why This Works

  • Low startup costs—basic tools only
  • High demand from IKEA and Amazon shoppers
  • Quick jobs (30 min - 2 hours typically)
  • Repeat customers when they buy more furniture
  • Flexible scheduling around your availability

Essential Tools

  • ✓ Cordless drill with bit set
  • ✓ Screwdriver set (Phillips & flathead)
  • ✓ Allen key/hex set (various sizes)
  • ✓ Rubber mallet
  • ✓ Level
  • ✓ Measuring tape
  • ✓ Headlamp or flashlight
  • ✓ Tool bag or box

Total investment: $100-$300 for quality tools that will last years.

Pricing Strategies

Item Type Time Price Range
Simple (shelf, small table)15-30 min$25-$40
Medium (desk, dresser)30-60 min$50-$80
Complex (bed frame, wardrobe)1-2 hours$80-$150
Large wardrobe (PAX, etc.)2-4 hours$150-$300
Hourly rate-$50-$100/hr

Finding Clients

TaskRabbit

Primary platform for furniture assembly. High volume, especially near IKEA stores. Set competitive rates and build reviews.

Amazon/Wayfair Services

Customers can add assembly at checkout. Apply to be a provider in your area.

Nextdoor/Facebook

Post in local groups. Neighbors love hiring neighbors for home services.

Apartment Complexes

Partner with management to offer services to new residents. High volume opportunity.

Pro Tips

  • Watch YouTube assembly videos for tricky pieces before arriving
  • Never force parts—step back and check instructions
  • Lay out all parts and hardware before starting
  • Take before/after photos for your portfolio
  • Offer to remove packaging and boxes (upsell opportunity)
  • Build relationships for repeat business when they move or buy more

Complete Tool Requirements for Furniture Assembly

Having the right tools isn't just about getting the job done—it's about doing it efficiently and professionally. Here's exactly what you need to start your furniture assembly side hustle, with specific recommendations and budget-friendly options.

Essential Must-Have Tools (Start Here)

Electric Drill/Driver

$50-$120

Your most important tool. A cordless 20V drill with variable speed and clutch settings will handle 95% of assembly work.

Top Picks:

  • • Budget: Black+Decker 20V ($50)
  • • Mid-range: Ryobi 18V One+ ($80)
  • • Pro: DeWalt 20V MAX ($120)

Allen Wrench/Hex Key Set

$10-$25

IKEA furniture lives on hex bolts. Get both L-shaped and T-handle sets for speed and leverage.

Top Picks:

  • • Budget: Husky SAE/Metric Set ($10)
  • • Best: Bondhus T-Handle Set ($25)

Rubber Mallet

$8-$15

For gently persuading dowels into place without damaging wood or finish. Essential for IKEA builds.

Top Picks:

  • • Any 16oz rubber mallet from Home Depot or Harbor Freight
  • • Stanley or Tekton brands are reliable

Level (24")

$12-$30

Critical for shelving, wardrobes, and any furniture that sits against a wall. Ensures professional results.

Top Picks:

  • • Budget: Empire 24" Magnetic ($12)
  • • Pro: Stabila Type 70 ($30)

Screwdriver Set

$15-$35

For tight spaces where your drill won't fit. Get both Phillips and flathead in multiple sizes.

Top Picks:

  • • Budget: Craftsman 6-piece ($15)
  • • Best: Klein 11-in-1 ($35)

Adjustable Wrench

$10-$20

For tightening nuts on bed frames and outdoor furniture. A 10" wrench handles most jobs.

Top Picks:

  • • Crescent or Kobalt 10" adjustable wrench
  • • Consider getting 6" and 10" sizes

Tape Measure (25ft)

$8-$15

For checking dimensions, ensuring pieces fit, and measuring wall space. Get one with a lock.

Top Picks:

  • • Stanley FatMax 25ft ($12)
  • • Milwaukee or DeWalt for durability ($15)

Utility Knife

$5-$12

For opening boxes and cutting packaging. A retractable blade is safest for transport.

Top Picks:

  • • Milwaukee Fastback ($12) - best quality
  • • Any retractable utility knife ($5-8)

Total Must-Have Investment: $118-$272

These 8 tools will handle 90% of furniture assembly jobs. Start here before investing in nice-to-haves.

Upgrade Nice-to-Have Tools (Add When Busy)

Cordless Impact Driver

$60-$150

Faster and more powerful than a drill for driving screws. Makes large jobs 30% quicker.

When to buy: After your first 20 jobs or $1,000 in earnings

Stud Finder

$15-$40

Essential for wall-mounting heavy items like wardrobes and entertainment centers safely.

When to buy: When you start getting wall-mounting requests

Socket Wrench Set

$25-$60

Makes bed frame assembly faster. Get metric and SAE sizes for different furniture brands.

When to buy: After 10-15 jobs, especially if doing bed frames

Knee Pads

$15-$30

Protect your knees during long assembly sessions. Gel-filled pads are worth the extra cost.

When to buy: After your knees start hurting (usually 5-10 jobs)

Complete Tool Kits by Budget

$100

Starter Kit

Perfect for first 10 jobs

  • Black+Decker 20V Drill $50
  • Husky Hex Key Set $10
  • Rubber Mallet $8
  • Empire 24" Level $12
  • Craftsman Screwdriver Set $15
  • Total $95
RECOMMENDED
$200

Professional Kit

Complete setup to start strong

  • Ryobi 18V One+ Drill $80
  • Bondhus Hex Key Set $25
  • Rubber Mallet $12
  • Stabila 24" Level $30
  • Klein 11-in-1 Screwdriver $35
  • Crescent Wrench Set $18
  • Total $200

ROI: Pay back investment in 4-5 jobs

$300

Premium Kit

Full pro setup with upgrades

  • DeWalt 20V Drill + Impact $180
  • Bondhus Hex Key Set $25
  • Rubber Mallet $15
  • Stabila Level $30
  • Klein Screwdriver Set $35
  • Socket Wrench Set $25
  • Total $310

Furniture Assembly Pricing Guide 2026

Knowing what to charge is crucial to your success. Price too low and you're working for peanuts. Price too high and you won't get booked. Here's exactly what to charge for the most common furniture assembly jobs, based on real 2026 market rates.

How to Price Your Services

Beginners (0-10 jobs)

Price at the LOW end of ranges below. Focus on getting 5-star reviews.

Intermediate (10-50 jobs)

Price at the MIDDLE of ranges. Highlight your experience and speed.

Experienced (50+ jobs)

Price at the HIGH end. Charge premium for your expertise and reliability.

Furniture Item Complexity Time Required Suggested Price
IKEA PAX Wardrobe
Large 3-door system with drawers
 High 3-4 hours
$150-$250
IKEA KALLAX Shelf
4x4 cube storage unit
 Medium 1-1.5 hours
$60-$90
IKEA MALM Bed Frame
Queen size with storage drawers
 Medium 1.5-2 hours
$80-$120
IKEA HEMNES Dresser
8-drawer dresser
 High 2-3 hours
$100-$150
Amazon Basics Desk
Simple computer desk
 Low 30-45 min
$40-$60
Office Chair
Standard ergonomic chair
 Low 15-25 min
$25-$40
Baby Crib
Standard convertible crib
 High 1.5-2 hours
$90-$130
Treadmill
Standard home treadmill
 High 2-3 hours
$120-$180
TV Wall Mount
Mount + install on wall
 Medium 45-75 min
$75-$120

When to Charge More

  • Last-minute/same-day: Add 20-30%
  • Evening/weekend: Add 15-25%
  • Stairs/difficult access: Add $20-40
  • Travel over 10 miles: Add $0.50-1/mile

Red Flags - Charge Premium

  • Missing/damaged parts: Charge hourly or decline
  • No instructions: Add 30-50% to price
  • Customer opened box first: Parts may be mixed up
  • Unrealistic time expectations: Set firm boundaries

Bundle Pricing Strategy

Offer 10-15% off when customers book 3+ items. They save money, you make more per trip.

Bedroom Bundle

Bed + Dresser + 2 Nightstands

Bundle: $240 (Save $40)

Home Office Bundle

Desk + Chair + Bookshelf

Bundle: $110 (Save $15)

Living Room Bundle

Entertainment Center + TV Mount

Bundle: $180 (Save $30)

Where to Find Furniture Assembly Clients: Platform Comparison 2026

The right platform can make or break your furniture assembly business. Some offer steady work but take big cuts. Others give you freedom but require more marketing.

Platform Fee Typical Earnings Best For
TaskRabbit 15% $35-70/hr Beginners
Amazon Home Services 20% $40-80/hr High volume
Wayfair Assembly 25-30% $30-60/hr Steady work
Thumbtack $3-30/lead $40-75/hr Experienced
Nextdoor Free $45-80/hr Local reputation
Direct Marketing Free $50-90/hr Long-term

TaskRabbit

BEST FOR BEGINNERS
Platform Fee: 15%

The gold standard for furniture assembly. TaskRabbit connects you with customers who specifically searched for assembly help. Easy to start, consistent bookings, and built-in trust.

Pros

  • • Quick onboarding (5-7 days)
  • • Instant credibility
  • • Payment protection
  • • $1M liability insurance included

Cons

  • • 15% platform fee
  • • Only in major cities
  • • $25 background check fee
  • • Competition in saturated markets

Typical Earnings: Charge $60/hr, keep $51/hr after 15% fee. Average job $100, you keep $85.

Recommended Multi-Platform Strategy

Month 1-2: Build Foundation

  • Primary: TaskRabbit (get first 10-20 jobs, earn 5-star reviews)
  • Secondary: Nextdoor (start building local reputation)

Month 3-6: Expand Reach

  • Add: Amazon Home Services and/or Thumbtack
  • Start: Asking TaskRabbit clients for direct bookings
  • Goal: 30% of jobs from repeat/direct clients

Month 6+: Build Your Business

  • Focus: Direct bookings and referrals (no platform fees)
  • Goal: 70%+ direct bookings, charge 15-20% more than platform rates

Step-by-Step: Start Your Furniture Assembly Side Hustle

Follow this proven 6-step roadmap to go from zero to earning $200-500/week in your first month.

Your Path to First $1,000

1
Get Tools
Week 1
2
Practice
Week 1-2
3
Create Profiles
Week 2
4
Set Rates
Week 2
5
First Clients
Week 3-4
6
Scale Up
Month 2+
1

Get Your Essential Tools

Timeline: 1-3 days | Budget: $100-300

Start with the minimum viable toolkit: drill, hex keys, mallet, level, screwdrivers, wrench, tape measure, utility knife. See our complete tool guide above.

Complete when: You have all 8 essential tools in a backpack or toolbag

2

Practice on Your Own Furniture

Timeline: 3-7 days | Cost: Free-$50

Never do your first assembly for a paying customer. Disassemble/reassemble your own furniture, help friends for free, or buy a cheap item to practice on.

Complete when: You've assembled 2-3 different items and feel confident with your tools

3

Create Your Platform Profiles

Timeline: 1-2 days | Cost: $25 (TaskRabbit)

Start with TaskRabbit (best for beginners), then add Nextdoor and Facebook. Write a professional bio highlighting your tools, reliability, and same-day availability.

Complete when: TaskRabbit profile approved, Nextdoor and Facebook listings live

4

Set Competitive Rates

Timeline: 30 minutes

Start at $35-45/hr on TaskRabbit (slightly below market to get first bookings). Research local rates, then raise $5/hr every 5 jobs as reviews build.

Complete when: TaskRabbit rate set and you have a price list for common items

5

Get Your First 5-10 Clients

Timeline: 2-4 weeks | Goal: 5 five-star reviews

Turn on "Available Now" during peak hours. Accept your first 3-5 jobs even if inconvenient. Arrive early, work clean, ask for reviews. These first reviews determine your success.

Complete when: You have 5+ five-star reviews and feel confident handling common furniture

6

Scale and Optimize

Timeline: Month 2+ | Goal: $500-1500/month

Raise rates to $50-60/hr. Book multiple jobs same day/area. Build direct client base by giving business cards. Target: 30% direct bookings by Month 4.

Complete when: Earning $500+/month consistently with regular bookings

Your 90-Day Success Timeline

Month 1

  • 5+ five-star reviews
  • 10-15 jobs completed
  • Earnings: $400-800

Month 2

  • 15+ total reviews
  • Rate increased to $50/hr
  • Earnings: $800-1400

Month 3

  • 30+ total reviews
  • Rate at $60+/hr
  • Earnings: $1200-2000

Total First 90 Days: $2,400 - $4,200

Your tool investment paid back 10-20x over

Income Calculator

Ready to Start Assembling?

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Written by

Glen Meade

Side hustle expert who has personally tested 50+ platforms since 2019.

Last updated: January 2026