What you need to assemble a kitchen or cabinet furniture yourself: the bare minimum, what makes the job easier, and what you really shouldn't start without.
The bare minimum
- Cordless drill/driver: the core assembly tool. Cordless is better than corded — no trailing lead
- PZ2 and PH2 bits: for confirmat screws and euro screws — the most common fasteners in flat-pack furniture
- Hex keys (Allen keys): for cam locks and hinge mounting plates
- Spirit level 60–80 cm: for setting cabinets level and plumb
- Tape measure 5 m: marking out and checking gaps
- Rubber mallet: for seating dowels and joints without damaging the surface
- Cross-head screwdriver: for fine hinge adjustment
What makes the job much easier
- Laser level: projects a horizontal line across the full wall — wall units go up straight first time
- Confirmat bit (7 mm hex): faster than using a hand key
- Clamps (2–4): hold the carcass together while all fasteners are tightened
- Drill with hammer mode: for wall plugs behind wall units
- 6 mm or 8 mm masonry bit: depends on the wall plug supplied
- Masking tape: temporary labelling of parts and surface protection
Drill/driver: what to look for
- Torque: at least 30 Nm — sufficient for confirmat screws in chipboard
- Two batteries: one working, one charging
- Reverse: essential — you will need to undo things
- Variable speed: low for screws, high for drilling
- Brands: Bosch, Makita, DeWalt — reliable. Budget and adequate: Ryobi, Einhell
Fasteners you'll encounter in a kitchen
- Confirmat screw: the main carcass joint. Needs a 7 mm hex pilot hole
- Minifix / cam lock: quick-connect without a key — common in flat-pack
- Wooden dowel: aligns parts before assembly
- Wall plug: metal or plastic depending on the wall material
- 3.5×16 mm screw: for fixing the back panel (HDF)
Working without a laser level
A spirit level and a chalk line can substitute if you don't have a laser.
- Find the datum point: the highest corner of the floor — measure all base unit heights from here
- Strike a horizontal line on the wall at the required height using a pencil and spirit level
- Wall units: hang the first one level, then align all others to it
The most common self-assembly mistake: overtightening confirmat screws. The chipboard splits and the fastener loses its grip. Tighten to resistance, then half a turn more — no further.
What you genuinely can't do without
- No drill/driver: confirmat screws by hand are possible, but 40–60 of them on a kitchen becomes a real ordeal
- No level: cabinets will be crooked — it's immediately obvious and can only be fixed by taking them down again
- No mallet: dowels hammered in by fist will damage the chipboard edge every time
What to rent rather than buy
- Laser level: for a one-off assembly, hiring from a tool shop is cheaper than buying
- Hammer drill: if the walls are concrete and there are many plugs to drill
- Mitre saw: if cornice or plinth needs cutting to length