Bedroom drawer repair

For UK homeowners, professional repair ensures that drawers glide smoothly, handles remain secure, and the "carcass" (the main frame) of the furniture is protected from further wear. A skilled carpenter can often upgrade basic runners to soft-close versions, breathing new life into older furniture.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Initial Inspection: Assessing the drawer box, runners, and the internal carcass to identify if the issue is mechanical, structural, or caused by wood movement.
• Mechanical Repair: Tightening or replacing loose screws, realigning metal slides, or lubricating wooden runners with wax.
• Structural Reinforcement: Regluing and clamping "blown" or split joints, particularly dovetail or dowel connections that have pulled apart.
• Base Replacement: Removing sagging or snapped drawer bottoms (often thin hardboard) and fitting thicker, more durable plywood or MDF replacements.
• Hardware Upgrades: Swapping out bent or outdated runners for modern ball-bearing or soft-close systems.
• Final Calibration: Adjusting the drawer front alignment to ensure it sits flush with the rest of the unit and operates without snagging.

Typical Costs

Prices for drawer repairs vary depending on whether the furniture is solid wood or chipboard, and the quality of the replacement hardware required. High-end brands like Blum or Grass will naturally cost more than generic runners.

Factors affecting the final bill include the number of drawers needing attention, the accessibility of the furniture, and whether the carpenter needs to source specialist vintage hardware to match an existing set.

How Long Does It Take?

• Minor adjustments: 30 to 45 minutes for a single drawer (tightening fixings and lubrication).
• Runner replacement: 1 to 2 hours per unit, including realignment and testing.
• Structural regluing: 2 to 3 hours, though glue may need 24 hours to cure fully before the drawer is used.
• Full set of chest repairs: 4 to 6 hours for a standard 5-drawer chest requiring new bases and runners.

DIY or Professional?

Tightening a loose handle or applying beeswax to a wooden runner is a straightforward DIY task. However, if the drawer "box" has become trapezoidal (out of square) or the metal runners have bent, a professional carpenter is recommended. They have the precision tools to ensure the drawer is perfectly square, which is vital for smooth operation. For bespoke or antique furniture, professional repair is essential to maintain the item's value and aesthetic.

Note: While there are no specific building regulations for furniture repair, any wall-mounted units or heavy chests of drawers should be secured with anti-tip brackets, especially in homes with children.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check Specialisms: Look for a carpenter or "furniture restorer" rather than a general site carpenter, as they will have more experience with fine joinery.
• Verify Insurance: Ensure they hold Public Liability Insurance to cover any accidental damage to your flooring or home during the repair.
• Ask about Hardware: A good pro will offer options for different grades of runners (e.g., standard vs. soft-close).
• Questions to ask:
  • "Do you provide a guarantee on the new runners?"
  • "Can you match the existing timber or finish if a part needs replacing?"
  • "Is there a discount if I have multiple drawers repaired in one visit?"

Common Problems

• Overloading: The most common cause of failure; heavy items bow the drawer bottom, causing it to slip out of its groove.
• "Racking": This occurs when the drawer is pulled from one side rather than the centre, causing the frame to twist and the joints to fail.
• Humidity Issues: In older UK homes, solid wood drawers can swell in winter and shrink in summer, causing them to stick in the carcass.
• Cheap Fasteners: Flat-pack furniture often uses cam-locks that can vibrate loose; these should be replaced with wood glue and screws for a permanent fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth repairing IKEA or flat-pack drawers?

Yes, if the carcass is still sturdy. Replacing the flimsy hardboard bottom with a piece of 6mm plywood and upgrading the runners can make a cheap chest of drawers feel significantly more premium and last years longer.

Can I upgrade my old drawers to soft-close?

In most cases, yes. A carpenter can retro-fit soft-close runners, though it may require slight modifications to the drawer box or the internal frame to accommodate the new hardware dimensions.

Why does my drawer keep falling off its track?

This is usually due to the carcass "spreading" (the sides of the chest bowing outwards) or the runners becoming loose. A professional will reinforce the carcass to bring the sides back to parallel.

What is the best way to fix a sagging drawer bottom?

The best fix is to remove the drawer, slide out the old base, and replace it with a thicker material. If you need a quick fix, "drawer doctors" (plastic reinforcement brackets) can be screwed into the underside to provide temporary support.

How do I stop wooden drawers from sticking in damp weather?

Rubbing a plain white candle or a block of beeswax along the contact points (the runners and the drawer edges) provides a dry lubricant that prevents sticking without staining the wood.