Putting together a metal bed frame - do I need to hire someone?

ripplyuk

My new bed is being delivered sometime this week. I've never put one together before and I'm wondering how difficult it's going to be. I'm useless at diy, though I have put a couple of flat pack bookcases together before. I know I could hire a man to do this but I'm reluctant to spend money if it's something I could do myself. Could anyone tell me how difficult it is and how long it's likely to take? Does it take a lot of physical strength?

DRP

you'll need to tell us a little about yourself before we can answer the question.

however, from my own perspective: it won't be heavy, won't be complicated, and it'll usually come with a book of cartoons telling you how to put it together. It may take an hour or two.

phill99

Read the instructions carefully. Lay out all the pieces first. Have the right tools to hand. And get a friend to help.

ripplyuk

I'm not that strong, which is what worries me. I'm female, 8.5 st. I was ok following the instruction with the bookcases but I imagine a bed will be more complicated. Will it need power tools to tighten screws? I don't have anything like that. I've used a screwdriver but I'm a bit concerned that the bed will fall apart due to me not being able to tighten things enough. There's no one who can help me with it. Does it really need two people?

mpet

Probably best to wait and see how complex it looks. We have a metal bed frame and it is 8 screws. It's not particularly heavy - just a bit awkward.

However yours may be totally different, but I would definitely have a go, before i paid someone to do the job.

Silver-Surfer_2

I'm sure the heaviest thing will be lifting on the mattress. Unless the bed is cast iron.

pathtofreedom

If you don't have a friend to help you, might be worth getting some piles of books to balance bits of frame on, to help hold bits until you can screw it all together.

It might be a bit daunting as it looks big, but it shouldn't be any harder than a bookcase to do.

Unwrapping the mattress, and putting that on the bed frame, might need some muscles.

phil24_7

Beds are usually very easy to put together though they can be a little awkward.

missprice

ripplyuk wrote: »

I'm not that strong, which is what worries me. I'm female, 8.5 st. I was ok following the instruction with the bookcases but I imagine a bed will be more complicated. Will it need power tools to tighten screws? I don't have anything like that. I've used a screwdriver but I'm a bit concerned that the bed will fall apart due to me not being able to tighten things enough. There's no one who can help me with it. Does it really need two people?

It usually an Allen key, that comes with the bed.
They can be unweildy but unless as said its cast iron it won't be that heavy.
Its hand tight for any nuts, and if you think that's not tight enough get a long bar/tube to tighten a bit more.
Two people would be better but books or small cabinet to hold up parts of the frame will help.

I have done 2 bed frames and a bunk bed frame by myself, and although they took hours, they weren't mind bendingly difficult.

Elli452

ripplyuk wrote: »

I'm not that strong, which is what worries me. I'm female, 8.5 st. I was ok following the instruction with the bookcases but I imagine a bed will be more complicated. Will it need power tools to tighten screws? I don't have anything like that. I've used a screwdriver but I'm a bit concerned that the bed will fall apart due to me not being able to tighten things enough. There's no one who can help me with it. Does it really need two people?

If you managed the bookcases you should be fine. I put two bed frames together alone when I first moved in to my place (at the time I was about the same weight as yourself). Aside from accidentally hitting myself on the head a couple of times it was fine. Neither of them have fallen apart. Power tools certainly weren't necessary.

Rain_Shadow

I have a large Ikea metal bed frame. It takes all of ten minutes to dismantle and about the same to reassemble. None of the parts are at all heavy. It is held together with eight Allen bolts. The central spine support clips into the ends. The mattress base just lies on the frame and stretches over retainers at each end.


Definitely have a go yourself before paying out good money for someone to do it.


As someone has already pointed out the heavy part will be the mattress. Smiling at the delivery driver may sort that for you (Or getting the Queen to smile at them;)) assuming you are getting a new mattress.