You have purchased a beautiful IKEA kitchen, a large PAX wardrobe, or a living room full of BESTÅ furniture. The boxes are in the hallway, and you decide to outsource the assembly.
When searching for a handyman or assembly company, you generally come across two payment models: an hourly rate (e.g., €45 per hour) or a fixed price per project (e.g., €350 for the complete assembly).
At Montage Vandaag, we strongly believe in the principle of a fixed price upfront. In this article, we explain why this is the fairest, most affordable, and stress-free choice for you as a customer.
The Risk of "Billing by the Hour"
Many handymen and platforms (like Werkspot or Zoofy) work on an hourly basis. It sounds attractive at first: "I pay €45 per hour." But how many hours is the job actually going to take?
1. Working Slowly Costs You Money
If a fitter is paid by the hour, there is no financial incentive to work efficiently. On the contrary: the longer he takes, the more he earns. Driving to the hardware store five times for forgotten screws or taking endless breaks is directly charged to your wallet.
2. Unexpected Setbacks
When building a kitchen or wardrobe wall, you always run into challenges. A wall that is more crooked than expected, a water pipe that is just in the way, or a complex corner solution. With an hourly rate, the bill suddenly shoots up with these kinds of setbacks. You only know what you have to pay the moment the fitter packs his things.
3. Stress and Distrust
If you pay by the hour, you as a customer are looking 'at the clock' all day. You feel the pressure rising as the hours pass. This creates an unpleasant dynamic between you and the professional.
The Benefits of Fixed Price Assembly
At Montage Vandaag, we work with a transparent, fixed rate for the complete project. Before we start, we make an exact calculation based on your wishes (number of cabinets, specific modifications, dimensions).
1. Financial Certainty
The amount on the quote is the amount you see on the invoice. €500 is €500. Does the assembly take longer because the floor is crooked and we have to spend extra time aligning the cabinets? Then that is our risk, not your bill.
2. Quality and Efficiency
Because we charge a fixed price, it is to our own advantage to work efficiently with the right tools. But we also know: if we don't do it right the first time, we have to come back (at our expense) to fix it. So we work quickly, but never compromise on quality, perfectly level adjustment, and safe wall anchoring.
3. Expertise is Included
An inexperienced handyman might take 8 hours on a complex wardrobe, which costs you €360. Our specialists, who build IKEA furniture weekly, do it perfectly in 4 hours. With a fixed price, you pay for the value and the end result, not for the fitter's learning curve.
Overview: Hourly Rate vs. Fixed Price
| Aspect | Hourly rate | Fixed price |
|---|---|---|
| Financial certainty | Unknown until the end | Exact amount upfront |
| Efficiency incentive | None (slower = more pay) | High (efficient = better) |
| Unexpected setbacks | Bill shoots up | Our risk, not yours |
| Customer experience | Watching the clock | Stress-free |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is a fixed price better than an hourly rate?
With a fixed price, the amount on the quote is the amount on the invoice. There is no financial incentive to work slowly, unexpected setbacks are our risk, and you don't have to watch the clock all day. You pay for the value and the end result, not for the fitter's learning curve.
What is included in a fixed price quote?
Our fixed price is an all-in price, including call-out charges, mounting materials for the wall, and taxes. Before we start, we make an exact calculation based on your wishes (number of cabinets, specific modifications, dimensions).
How do I request a fixed price quote?
Share your IKEA design (the IKEA code or PDF from the online planner), tell us your specific wishes (e.g., 4th floor without an elevator), and you will receive a clear, honest all-in quote.
How Do I Request a Quote?
It is very easy to get a fixed price quote for your IKEA assembly:
- Share your IKEA design: Did you use the online IKEA planner? Send us the link (IKEA code) or the PDF with the design.
- Your wishes: Tell us the specifics (do you live on the 4th floor without an elevator? Has the floor just been poured?).
- Fixed Price Quote: You will receive a clear, honest quote from us. This is an all-in price (including call-out charges, mounting materials for the wall, and taxes).
No stress, no ticking meter. Just coming home to a beautifully furnished house with perfectly assembled furniture. Contact us today via the quote page.