What we assemble
- Beds, cribs, bunk beds and daybeds
- Dressers, chests, wardrobes and closet systems
- Desks, bookshelves, media consoles and cabinets
- Patio sets, gazebos kits and storage sheds of the boxed kind
- Anchor straps and brackets fastened into studs
- Older pieces tightened, glued and re-anchored
Tip-overs and ground shaking
The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Anchor It! campaign says “Anchoring all furniture with drawers, doors, and shelves to the wall prevents tip-over injuries and deaths.” That holds for a toddler climbing a dresser and for a bookcase in an earthquake.
The City’s Housing Element environmental study puts the Raymond Fault about two miles north of the city and says “San Gabriel is mainly affected by ground shaking.” Strapping tall pieces to studs is the simplest step against that. In plaster-and-lath walls common in the city’s older houses, we find the studs before drilling.
How an assembly visit works
Inventory
We open the boxes where the piece will live and check every panel and hardware bag against the list, so missing parts are found before we start.
Careful build
Panels are assembled on a pad to protect the finish. Fasteners go in snug but not stripped, and each case is checked for square before the back is attached.
Level, anchor, clean up
The piece is set, leveled on the floor, and strapped into a stud. Doors and drawers are adjusted, and the cardboard is broken down for your recycling.
What we do not take
Built-in cabinetry, custom carpentry, and furniture that needs plumbing or new wiring go to a cabinetmaker, plumber or electrician.
Photos that help
The brand and model of each item or a photo of the box label, the room it goes in, and whether you want it anchored.
Assembly questions
Can you assemble a crib or changing table and anchor it?
Yes. We build it to the maker’s instructions and anchor the changing table or dresser to a stud. Cribs are freestanding and are checked for tight hardware instead.
How long does a bed frame take?
A simple platform frame is quick. Storage beds, bunk beds and lofts with many parts take longer. Send the model and we tell you before the visit.
Do you assemble office chairs and desks?
Yes, along with keyboard trays, monitor arms that clamp to the desk, and cable trays under the top.
Do you anchor furniture you did not build?
Yes. Strapping existing dressers, bookcases and TVs is a short job, often added to another visit.
Can you anchor to plaster walls?
Yes. We locate the studs behind the lath and fasten through, drilling slowly so the plaster does not crack.
Do you build cribs?
Yes. We follow the maker’s instructions exactly and check that the mattress support is set at the right height for your baby’s age.
What if a part is missing?
We find out at the start, build what can be built, and give you the part number to request from the maker.
Do you remove the packaging?
We break down boxes and bag the foam and plastic so it is ready for your bins.
Can you disassemble furniture for a move?
Yes. We take it apart, bag and label the hardware, and can rebuild it at the new home if it is in our area.
Related guides for San Gabriel homes
- Keeping dishes and furniture in place during an earthquakeHow to keep dishes, glassware and tall furniture in place during an earthquake in an older San Gabriel home, from cabinet latches to wall straps.
- Small updates that make an older home easier for aging parentsSmall changes that make an older San Gabriel home easier for aging parents: lever handles, easier switches, better lighting, a handheld shower and more.
We’re a handyman in San Gabriel for small repairs like this one, with an upfront price by text.
This job sits in our mounting, hanging and assembly group. For other repairs, see the services overview, or start with the repair guide for San Gabriel’s older homes.