What to Do When Your New Furniture Arrives Damaged (A Spokane Assembly Tech's Advice)

Today was a full day of furniture assembly here in Spokane. We put together two dressers, a bed frame, and several chairs for a client who had just moved into a new place. Jobs like this are pretty common for us, but today's visit was a good reminder of something every homeowner should know before they even open a delivery box.

## The Damage Problem

One of the most common issues we run into with furniture assembly isn't actually about assembly at all — it's about damaged parts arriving straight from the manufacturer or retailer. Wood panels get chipped in transit, hardware gets bent, boxes get crushed on the truck. It happens more than people realize, and unfortunately, no one is fully protected from it — not even with the big online retailers.

When this happens during a job, we don't just walk away and leave the client stuck. We help figure out exactly what's damaged, take clear photos of the broken part or panel, and make sure the client has what they need to file a claim with the company they ordered from — whether that's Amazon, a furniture retailer, or a manufacturer directly. Most companies will replace a damaged part or send a new unit once they see solid photo evidence, but you need to document it properly, and that's where having someone experienced on site really helps.

## What You Should Do Before We Even Arrive

Here's the advice I always give clients, and it's worth repeating:

- Inspect the box before you sign for delivery, if possible. Look for crushed corners, tears, or dents in the packaging. - If the box looks damaged, don't open it. It's tempting to check what's inside, but once you unbox it, returns and exchanges get a lot more complicated. - Contact the retailer first if the packaging is clearly compromised. Ask for a replacement or exchange before assembly day. It saves everyone time and avoids the headache of assembling something that's going to fail later. - If the box looks fine but something feels off once we open it during assembly, we'll stop, document it, and walk you through the next steps together.

The bottom line: a few minutes of checking the packaging can save you a return shipment, a delayed move-in, or a wasted assembly appointment.

## Why This Matters for Spokane Homeowners

We get called out across Spokane for everything from single dresser builds to full bedroom sets, office furniture, and outdoor furniture assembly. Damaged parts aren't rare — flat-pack furniture especially takes a beating in shipping because of how many separate panels and hardware bags are involved. Having someone on-site who knows what to look for, and who can help you build a claim with clear photos, makes the whole process smoother.

If you've got new furniture waiting to be assembled, or you're not sure whether a delivery looks right, give us a call before you start unpacking. We're happy to walk through it with you, and if everything checks out, we'll get your furniture built and in place the same visit.