Of the many aspects to address when you're thinking of taking your relationship to the next level, perhaps the most important is to test whether you can build flatpack furniture together.
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Nothing has more potential to bring out hidden personality traits than working out whether piece A3 really does fit with B7 using 3 x J56.
In fact, according to research of 1765 Australians by Flatpack Assembly Services, more than half of Australians admit that they've fought with a spouse or partner when putting together flatpack furniture and more than six out of 10 have experienced a flatpack furniture disaster.
This is despite eight out of 10 survey respondents describing themselves as capable at the job (that figure rose to nine out of 10 for millennials, and for people who live in the Northern Territory).
Those over 51 are the only group experiencing more harmony at home with more than half reporting that they have never argued over flatpack furniture. Interestingly, they are seemingly also the most realistic about their abilities with more than two out of 10 admitting they aren't capable in the area, more than any other age group.
Four out of 10 Australians would pay someone to assemble flatpack furniture for them. However, this increases significantly for those who have recognised their limitations. Eight out of 10 Aussies who wouldn't describe themselves as capable at flatpack furniture assembly would outsource the job.
The research reflects what Flatpack Assembly Services franchisees are witnessing all over the country, according to Ray Liceralde, franchise owner at Flatpack Assembly Services Mascot.
"A lot of the time we're contacted after people have attempted to assemble the item of furniture themselves and have either assembled it incorrectly or have given up. We see the aftermath of a lot of fights.
"Once people work with us, they tend to return to us again and again. The relief of knowing that their furniture will be assembled quickly, correctly and without stress is hard to pass up."
Jamie Redman, franchise owner at Flatpack Assembly Services Baulkham Hills believes that people are becoming much more open to outsourcing assembling flatpack furniture just as they are to cleaning or handyman work.
"Flatpack furniture assembly can seem deceptively simple, but in fact it's quite complex and time consuming. The instructions aren't always clear and there are often a lot of parts.
"When people are honest with themselves they will usually realise they either don't have the skill, time or patience to do it themselves."
"In this day and age people are much more aware of the value of their time. They would rather keep their Saturday afternoon free for family time rather than assembling furniture, especially if they know it will involve fighting and stress," he said.
