I had a strange idea.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (60730)
May 28, 2026 6:16pm CST
Sometimes, I get those. Sometimes they are worth thinking about, and sometimes my ideas are either not practical, not really economical, and maybe not realistic.
I am currently in no place in life to run a business or work a job. If you know me, you know why, so I won't go into that. Lately, I have realized that many, many people now buy furniture online, without ever seeing the furniture in person. It arrives at their door in a box from wherever--Amazon, Wayfair, Ikea, Walmart or other lesser-known companies. Whatever the furniture, unless it's extremely small it must be assembled. This part of the purchase appears to be extremely difficult for many people. Seniors may have mobility issues and unable to bend and lift things. Some people simply don't have the confidence to assemble anything like this. Some do not have family to help them.
Over the years I have done some of these things, assembled garage shelves, a small bookcase, etc. I know I couldn't lift anything any larger than what I have attempted.
If a person wanted a good side hustle, work when they want to or had the time, this would be great for so many. They could advertise their hustle on facebook or a group or even other social media. I know that they would have customers!
I currently know of two people who ordered furniture that can't put it together on their own. They can't lift, the instructions terrify them, and they give up. The two I know of are currently trying to re-coup some of their money by attempting to sell their item on facebook or marketplace or wherever, with little luck.
If you know someone who could do this work and needs a side hustle, this would be a great idea.
Pinterest picture.
18 people like this
11 responses
@MarieCoyle (60730)
•
30 May
My friend bought a big table and 8 chairs from Wayfair, and paid them to assemble it. The table has leaves that are stored underneath part of the table top, which is what she wanted. But that made it more complicated and she got scared she might mess it up, so she paid for them to put it together.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (505410)
• Italy
30 May
@MarieCoyle - The bed was complicated to assemble and the bedroom cabinet very tall. I did not want to assemble them. Also the table was not easy, because it's a square table that can be opened to become the double in size.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (60730)
•
31 May
@LadyDuck
I haven't attempted putting together anything hard like that, but I have done quite a few basic items myself. But if they are big and heavy, they are just too hard for one person to do sometimes.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (239352)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 May
@MarieCoyle Heh. I am pretty good at interpreting Ikea's instrcutions.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (60730)
•
30 May
@TheHorse
A rare quality in a man, indeed--the ability to read instructions!!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (60730)
•
30 May
Maybe and maybe not. But at least whatever they purchase isn't sitting in their house or garage in a box forever, waiting on assembly.
2 people like this
@crossbones27 (53319)
• Mojave, California
29 May
Its not a bad idea and one that is still very important here. There is still a lazy boy here in my town and my old boss worked there because California is expensive. He said it was very stressful, He said imagine Flambeau on steroids which is a manufacturing plant I go I do not want to, in fact I quit, just kidding but I did eventually. Its not fun but people need help assembling things. That is fine but the time you have to do it makes it miserable and its back breaking work.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (60730)
•
29 May
I would think it would be a good side hustle for some people, a bit of extra income.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (60730)
•
30 May
Some people really are all butterfingers, I think. And then we all know a lot of people who refuse to read directions and then they screw it up. I think it would be a great thing!
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (91720)
• United States
29 May
That certainly would be a great side hustle. I'm not able to assemble things anymore so that would be something I'd be interested in.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (60730)
•
30 May
I know it would be a great way for people who knew how to do this, to make a few extra dollars.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (223811)
• United States
29 May
There are some online companies that offer for someone to come out and assemble furniture for an additional charge. This would, of course, be a good side hustle.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (60730)
•
30 May
Yes, some of the companies do offer that service, but some don't.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (211285)
• United States
29 May
Having just ordered a chair from Wayfair, they have an assembly service for 79 dollars, and I think Amazon has one too. Maybe some don't. I put this chair together myself and it was a headache.. I don't think the back is exactly how it should be, but I will have the son take a look at it when he shows up. It's useable, but I feel like I have to be careful sitting in it. You never know though if it was reasonable cost..it might help some.
2 people like this
@Shavkat (141906)
• Philippines
4 Jun
@MarieCoyle It is nice to hear. Enjoy the rest of the day...
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (60730)
•
4 Jun
@Shavkat
It wasn't the best, as I had a lot to do and not enough time to do it all. But that's OK...tomorrow will be just as busy. I keep telling myself Saturday and Sunday are just around the corner.
@MarieCoyle (60730)
•
29 May
So many people now seem to be afraid to have a stranger in their home. But if it's a repairman, etc. I have never had a problem.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (385346)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 May
We've put together a lot of this stuff and some of it was really quite involved. I'd love to do this but we're probably a bit old now. It's worth a thought though and I'm sure there is a need for it. I know some that won't touch flatpacks with a barge pole but, if you follow the instructions, presuming there are some, then it's not so hard. Love the chair in your photo. You'd think they'd have stopped at one leg on wrongly. 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (385346)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 May
@MarieCoyle It took us a few catastrophes before we learnt to CAREFULLY and TOTALLY read the instructions and follow them without any shortcuts.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (385346)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 May
@MarieCoyle I think sometimes it's a man thing to think they can just go ahead and do it. 
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (60730)
•
30 May
@JudyEv
My ex never, ever read instructions. It drove me nuts. Finally one day, the older son yelled at him and said, ''DAD!! Read the instructions!'' and that did help some. Talk about stubborn!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (60730)
•
31 May
I can see that there is definitely a need for it for some people.
1 person likes this
