Founded in 2014 in Christchurch, New Zealand, to help people install flatpack furniture, Flatpack Global is a multi-brand franchise including Flatpack Assembly Services, an efficient and convenient product assembly service, and Flatpack Kitchen Services, a quality and professional kitchen installation service. 

It seems that Australians were crying out for a service in this field, with the business growing exponentially in just five years, to include 64 franchises across Australia and New Zealand. 

According to a survey of Australian consumers undertaken by Flatpack Assembly Services, over half of Australians admit that they’ve fought with a spouse or partner when putting together flatpack furniture. More than six out of 10 Australians say they have experienced a flatpack furniture disaster, such as furniture being assembled incorrectly or misplaced parts such as screws. 

Interestingly, it seems Aussies overestimate their abilities when it comes to assembling flatpack furniture, with eight out of 10 describing themselves as capable at the job, despite six out of 10 admitting things have at some time or another gone very wrong.

This was particularly true for millennials, with those under 35 the most confident in their abilities. Although nearly nine out of 10 would describe themselves as capable, they were just as likely as Aussies of all ages to have fought with their spouse or partner over the process or experienced things going awry. 

Those in the NT are the most confident in their assembly skills, with nine out of 10 describing themselves as capable, and Victorians the least confident, with less than eight out of 10 describing themselves as capable. 

Those over 51 are experiencing more harmony at home, with over half having never argued over flatpack furniture. Interestingly, they are seemingly also the most realistic about their abilities, with over two out of 10 admitting they aren’t capable in the area, more than any other age group. 

Four out of 10 Australians would pay someone to assemble flatpack furniture for them. However, this increases significantly for those who have recognised their limitations. Eight out of 10 Aussies who wouldn’t describe themselves as capable at flatpack furniture assembly would outsource the job. 

The research reflects what Flatpack Assembly Services franchisees are witnessing all over the country, says Ray Liceralde, Franchise owner at Flatpack Assembly Services Mascot. 

“A lot of the time we’re contacted after people have attempted to assemble the item of furniture themselves and have either assembled it incorrectly or have given up. We see the aftermath of a lot of fights!

“Once people work with us, they tend to return to us again and again. The relief of knowing that their furniture will be assembled quickly, correctly and without stress is hard to pass up.”

Jamie Redman, Franchise owner at Flatpack Assembly Services Baulkham Hills believes that people are becoming much more open to outsourcing assembling flatpack furniture just as they are to cleaning or handyman work. 

“Flatpack furniture assembly can seem deceptively simple, but in fact it’s quite complex and time consuming. The instructions aren’t always clear and there are often a lot of parts. When people are honest with themselves they will usually realise they either don’t have the skill, time or patience to do it themselves.”

“In this day and age people are much more aware of the value of their time. They would rather keep their Saturday afternoon free for family time rather than assembling furniture, especially if they know it will involve fighting and stress!”  

Flatpack Assembly Services’ licensed and fully insured flatpack technicians install and assemble people’s flatpack products at their home or office for a flat fee. Flatpack Assembly Services has 43 franchisees across Australia and 21 franchisees across New Zealand.

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