"NC" wrote:

Hello NC

N| We are about to move flat, and the destination has some
N| nasty built in wardrobes and dressing table in the bedroom.
N| I didn;t get a chance to get a good look at them to see how
N| they are constructed when we view ther house; however, the
N| wife is insisting they go (and I very much agree !!). How
N| are these things normally attached ?? The term 'built in'
N| makes me think that they are attached to the wall, however
N| are these things just generally built to fit the space and
N| left free standing ?? Hopefully it will be case of undoing a
N| load of screws and taking it apart - I dont want to find a
N| load of holes in the walls !

It'll probably be fixed to the wall at some point, but as to taking it
apart - from your description it could be a flatpacked one, a bodgers
self-made or a craftsman one, huge difference.

For example, in this place I had a wide variety of "home made" fitted
furniture. This was fixed in place with straight screws, nails and
crosshead screws, all three often on the same joint. Mr Clawhammer
sorted it all out, though, followed by his good friends Mr Plastering
Trowel and Mr Paintbrush. Yours probably isn't as bad, given that
/most/ people wouldn't fix a cupboard to a plastered cinderblock wall
with a dozen 4" nails.

N| Also, assuming I can get them out in a state that would
N| allow them to be re-built, is it worth trying to sell them,
N| are they worth anything ?? Otherwise, I'll be skipping them.
N| They are pretty new - about 3 years and look to be in good
N| condition.

If flatpacked, forget it. IME, flatpacked stuff just does not sell 2nd
hand (and I've tried to flog a lot of it). With good reason, most of
it is poor quality and the joints don't go back together very well.
Wobbly is the symptom of flatpack furniture re-assembled. Smaller
stuff will go 2nd hand, like TV cabinets, bedside tables when
assembled (so they can see what they're buying), but even there I've
had to sell them for 2-3 quid each just to be shot. Bonfire or
landfill, I reckon.

--
Simon Avery, Dartmoor, UK
uk.d-i-y FAQ: http://www.diyfaq.org.uk/