Fights and furniture disasters: Research reveals flatpack furniture is a cause of conflict in New Zealand households 

Have you ever had an argument with your partner whilst assembling a flat-packed product? Don’t feel bad … Five out of 10 New Zealanders admit that they’ve fought with a spouse or partner when putting together flatpack furniture and more than five out of 10 New Zealanders have experienced a flatpack furniture disaster, according to research commissioned by Kitset Assembly Services. Add in the hammered thumbs, misplaced parts such as screws and inappropriate language in front of the children and it is pretty clear, there is a fair bit of stress and frustration associate with these tasks.

Interestingly, it seems New Zealanders overestimate their abilities when it comes to assembling flatpack furniture, with eight out of 10 describing themselves as capable at the job, despite more than five 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.  Nearly nine out of 10 would describe themselves as capable, yet they were the most likely as New Zealanders of all ages to have fought with their spouse or partner over the process or experienced things going away. 

Groups 18-25 and over 51 are experiencing the most harmony at home with almost 5 out of 10 having never argued over flatpack furniture.  However, only the over 51s 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 age group. 

Two out of 10 New Zealanders would pay someone to assemble flatpack furniture for them.  Though, this increases significantly for those who have recognised their limitations.  Almost 6 out of 10 New Zealanders who wouldn’t describe themselves as capable at flatpack furniture assembly would outsource the job.  Interestingly enough, the age group who are the most likely to pay someone to assemble their flatpack furniture are the 18 – 25-year old’s.  This could be an indication of generation Z having the ability to pay for most tasks to be done for them; instead of doing it themselves.  Does this show that DIY is something of the past? 

The research reflects what Kitset Assembly Services Franchisees are witnessing all over the country, says Justin, the latest Franchise owner for Kitset Assembly Services, right here in Invercargill, Southland. 

“I think it’s true that half of kiwi’s say they have fought with their loved one while assembling flatpack furniture because I’ve been a part of couple’s arguments [Laughs].”

“Customers come to us to assemble their flatpack products for a couple of reasons.  Some people don’t have the time to do it, they are too busy.  Some people just don’t have the knowledge on how to do it, they struggle to interpret the instructions, or they just don’t have the tools to do it.  In some cases, people have started to assemble the flatpack, they have then messed it up completely or they just can’t finish it.”

“I think the more we’re out there; the more people are realising they don’t have to do it themselves. They are understanding the convenience of walking away from an unassembled flatpack product and coming back once it’s done - I call it the ‘fairy effect’.”

Leon Shouksmith, Country Manager for Kitset Assembly Services Wellington, finds they are getting more and more repeat customers; “People have a good experience with the service, they realise it saves them time and stress, and we’re always more than happy to come back!”

“With eight out of 10 kiwis describing themselves as capable at the job, but a high number admitting that things have gone wrong - I think the kiwi attitude ‘she’ll be right’ shows in that, then they have a nightmare of an experience actually trying to do it.  There’s so many different types of flatpack, and instructions can be very confusing these days, especially if you haven’t done a lot of flatpacks!”

“People are becoming more open to paying for flatpack assembly, as we get more of a presence, and people begin to know about the service we provide – it’s not necessarily about capabilities either, I think it’s more about time, everyone is so time poor these days.”

“And why would you want to be assembling flatpack furniture, if you didn’t have to, when there’s someone who can professionally do it for you - that’s a no brainer!”

Kitset Assembly Services’ licensed and fully insured flatpack Assemblers install and assemble people’s flatpack products at their home or office for a flat fee.  Kitset Assembly Services has 37 franchises across New Zealand and assembly products for over 95 major retailers and online sellers.