Show summary Hide summary
Many shoppers love IKEA’s low prices and clever designs, but few enjoy the ritual of deciphering paper instructions and hunting for the right screws. To bridge that gap, the company bought a popular gig-service platform that connects customers with local helpers who assemble furniture, install fixtures, and tackle odd jobs at home.
Why IKEA invested in a home-services platform
IKEA’s signature business model depends on flat-packed products that are cheap to ship and store. The trade-off is that customers still need to put pieces together at home. IKEA saw an opportunity to remove that friction and improve the shopping experience.
Michaels holiday finds under $25: 20 new gifts that look like $50
Target wall-mounted find frees up countertop space: timeless style for small kitchens
In 2017, IKEA acquired the platform now widely used for furniture assembly and household tasks. The move aligned with the retailer’s focus on convenience and customer retention. According to IKEA, integrating the service into online and in-store checkouts boosted customers who add assembly options by about 50%. The company also reported a significant fall in returns for complicated items, down nearly 40%.
How the service works with IKEA — booking, coverage, and pricing
When you buy furniture from IKEA, you can opt in for assembly during checkout. Booking happens through a follow-up email that guides you to create an account and choose an appointment slot.
Simple steps to schedule a Tasker for assembly
- Select assembly at checkout, online or in-store.
- Receive an email with sign-up and scheduling details.
- Pick a date that suits you — from next-day to weeks ahead.
- Meet the Tasker at your home and let them handle the work.
Availability spans all 50 U.S. states and several international markets. Time windows depend on how many Taskers are active in your area. Pricing varies by job complexity. Basic furniture assembly jobs often start in the low-to-mid double digits, with typical starting fees around $52.
What Taskers do — more than just IKEA assembly
Although the platform is owned by IKEA, its network offers a broad menu of home services. Thousands of gig workers have completed furniture builds, but their skills cover much more.
- Furniture assembly for flat-pack items
- Lighting and smart-home installations
- Mounting TVs and shelving
- Basic handyman repairs and home fixes
- Cleaning, landscaping, and seasonal tasks
The platform reports Taskers have finished over 3.4 million furniture assembly jobs. That scale helps reduce wait times in many regions and provides steady work for tens of thousands of independent contractors.
Origins and evolution of the platform
The company began in 2008 as a service to connect people who needed errands done with local helpers. Its founder was a former software engineer who launched the site to solve everyday time problems. The business evolved from an auction-style errands board into a modern gig-marketplace similar to ride-hailing apps.
Relocating to tech hubs and refining the model helped the platform scale quickly. By the time IKEA acquired it, the service had become a leading connector of on-demand labor for home tasks.
Benefits for customers and for IKEA
For shoppers, the biggest advantage is convenience. You no longer need to wrestle with oversized boxes or instructions if you’d rather pay someone to assemble your purchase. For IKEA, the partnership reduces return rates for complicated products and enhances customer satisfaction.
- Faster, optional assembly at purchase
- Reduced returns on large or complex items
- Access to local, vetted technicians
- Expanded reach for customers who prefer delivery and in-home setup
What to know before you book a Tasker
Expect variable scheduling based on local demand. Costs scale with time, complexity, and any extra parts or tools needed. Taskers operate as independent contractors, so you can usually review profiles, ratings, and past work before confirming a booking.
Many customers use the platform not only for IKEA items but also for broader household projects. The integration with IKEA makes assembly an easy add-on at checkout, while the platform’s app and website handle scheduling and communication.
