ᐅ Building a BILLY Shelf: Professional Assembly or DIY – Which Is Better?

Created on: 18 Jul 2020 08:37
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Gage36
Hello everyone,

I am currently considering purchasing several Billy bookcases from IKEA and wondering whether it is really worth hiring a professional for the assembly or if assembling them yourself with some patience and the right tools should not cause major problems.

I am particularly interested in the following points:
- Time required
- Quality and stability of the bookcase after assembly
- Common mistakes and issues that inexperienced builders often encounter
- Cost-benefit ratio

What are your experiences? In your opinion, does it make more sense to assemble the BILLY bookcases yourself or to have them assembled professionally?

Thanks for your input!
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toril
19 Jul 2020 07:51
I would like to point out that the stability of a BILLY shelf largely depends on proper attachment to the wall.
Gage36 schrieb:
Quality and stability of the shelf after assembly

Professional assembly includes correct installation, which can be especially important in rental properties. Non-professionals often overlook this aspect, increasing the risk of the unit tipping over.

Therefore: whether assembled by yourself or professionally, correct wall mounting is essential.
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GEKAU51
19 Jul 2020 09:05
toril schrieb:
The correct wall mounting is a must.

Absolutely right – but I would argue that many professionals are no more careful than a vigilant DIYer here, as long as the right anchors and tools are used.

Some contractors simply rush their installers, and you can tell. What matters is care and attention, not professionalism per se.
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Far34
19 Jul 2020 12:40
I recommend hiring a professional when installing multiple shelves. Assembling individual shelves yourself is no problem, but with larger quantities, time constraints quickly become an issue.
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cecile65
19 Jul 2020 13:11
From my experience, self-assembly is completely sufficient for one or two shelves. For more than three units, professional installation might be more cost-effective.