Now that the king of the flat pack furniture brigade, IKEA, has arrived in Ireland with outlets in Belfast and Dublin, one can almost visibly see the frustration as homeowners unpack their wonderful bargain piece of furniture and try in vain to assemble it. There is nothing more annoying than putting together a kit form piece of furniture. It was okay when you were a kid and you knocked great fun out of putting an Airfix kit together but now you are older, more weary, and devoid of the patience you need for this task.

We are not of course just talking about IKEA – many suppliers of furniture sell in flat pack form- and with the recession, you are less likely to get help from supplier delivery men who just drop it and go. Complicated  flat pack furniure such as kitchen units require professional help in putting them together unless you are a very good handyman. Bathroom and bedroom cabinets are simpler but can still can cause endless annoyance.

With the development of flat pack furniture, a whole new industry has mushroomed in Ireland overr the last few years – companies offering to assemble your flat pack furniture on site at your home. We had an example recently where we purchased new bedroom and conservatory furniture, all in flat pack form. Not having hands to bless myself and with sad experience from past disasterous attempts, my wife took the sensible precaution of calling one of these assembly companies to do the necessary. A day later, a crew appeared from a compay called North East Removals and with little fuss and great speed had all our pieces put together in jig time. They even took away the packaging and charged a very reasonable price ranging from €20 to €40 per item depending on size and complexity. It took all the hassle out what were great bargains in the first place. However, if you are not competent and you try to assemble it yourself, the good feeling of having got something for a big saving quickly evaporates and the inevitable domestic shouting match begins.

Do yourself a favour. Hire a flat pack assembly firm. North East Removals cover Dublin, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Cavan and Westmeath. There are other firms located in all major cities throughout Ireland.   To locate them, look up Find a Professional Ireland and save yourself trouble and possibly your marriage!