Install wall shelf

Wall shelf installation — Democratic Republic of the Congo

A wall shelf frees up floor space and keeps things within reach: books in a living room, spices in a kitchen, toiletries in a bathroom, boxes in a garage. How well it holds depends mainly on two things: the type of wall and the choice of fixings. On Helplease, you describe your shelf and your wall, and the workers offering this service in Democratic Republic of the Congo are notified of your request.

Which kinds of shelves can be installed?

• Bracket shelf: a board resting on two or more brackets, a simple option suited to heavier loads.
• Floating shelf: held by concealed rods for a clean look; it needs precise drilling and usually carries lighter loads.
• Twin-slot shelving: vertical rails with adjustable brackets, practical for a walk-in closet, home office or pantry.
• Corner or multiple shelves: several shelves side by side or stacked, which require careful alignment.

Depending on what you agree with the worker, the job can include measuring, marking out and levelling, drilling, choosing and fitting wall plugs, assembling a flat-pack shelf, and cleaning up drilling dust. Whether the shelf or fixings are supplied should be stated in your request.

What to check before installation

The type of wall

Concrete, solid brick, hollow brick and plasterboard are not drilled or plugged in the same way. An unsuitable wall plug is the main reason shelves pull away from the wall. If you do not know what your wall is made of, say so: the worker can check it on site.

The expected load

A few decorative items, a row of books or tableware do not call for the same fixings. Mention what you plan to put on the shelf and its length: this guides the number of brackets and the type of plugs.

Cables and pipes

Before drilling near a socket, a switch or a water point, you need to make sure that no electrical conduit or pipe runs where the holes will go. Mention these elements in your request.

Height and use

Above a desk, a worktop or a bed, the height must leave comfortable clearance. A precise description of the location helps prepare the job.

What affects the price

• the number and length of shelves;
• the type of wall and how hard it is to drill;
• the fixing system (brackets, concealed fixing, twin-slot rails);
• any assembly of the shelf before installation;
• whether the worker supplies the fixings or the shelf;
• installation height and access to the room.

The rate is agreed with the worker based on these elements.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to provide the shelf and wall plugs?

Usually you provide the shelf. The plugs supplied with a kit do not suit every wall: say in your request if you would like the worker to bring suitable fixings.

Can a shelf be fixed to a plasterboard wall?

Yes, with plugs designed for hollow walls. The load it can carry remains lower than on a masonry wall; for heavy loads, it is better to fix the brackets into the stud frame or onto a solid wall.

Can a floating shelf hold books?

It depends on the model, its depth and the wall. Some concealed fixings are designed for heavy loads, others for decoration. Check the load stated by the manufacturer and mention the intended use.

Can the worker also assemble the shelf?

Yes, if it is included in your request. Say whether the shelf comes flat-packed so that assembly is taken into account.

What information makes a request precise?

The number and dimensions of the shelves, the wall type if known, the expected load, the desired height and a description of the location.