Cabinet beds are heavy. A queen cabinet bed weighs 250–400 lbs assembled and ships in a crated case 78–80 inches long. Delivery is not like ordering a pillow on Amazon — and the cost, method, and logistics of delivery can be the difference between a cabinet bed that works and one that ends up returned at significant restocking fees.
This guide explains the delivery options, what they actually cost, what to confirm before ordering, and what to do if delivery goes wrong.
The four delivery options
Option 1 — Curbside (LTL freight)
What it is: The freight company drops the crated cabinet at the curb of your address. You handle moving it inside.
Typical cost: Often included free; sometimes a $50–$100 fee.
Pros: Cheapest delivery option.
Cons: - You’re responsible for moving a 250–400 lb crated cabinet from the curb into your house - Most homes need 2–3 strong adults plus appliance dollies to move a queen cabinet bed inside - Delivery driver typically waits 15–30 minutes for you to confirm receipt; then leaves - No setup; you handle assembly - Damage during the curb-to-room transfer is on you, not the freight company
Best for: Buyers with a ground-floor entry, no stairs, and 2+ people available to help on delivery day.
Option 2 — Threshold delivery
What it is: Freight company brings the cabinet inside the first interior door (no further). Cabinet is left in the entryway or garage.
Typical cost: $50–$150 above curbside.
Pros: Cabinet is at least under cover; you don’t have to handle the truck transfer.
Cons: Still leaves you with the inside-the-house transfer to the destination room. Same labor requirement as curbside for the harder part.
Best for: Buyers with a difficult curb-to-door path (e.g., long driveway) but help available for the inside move.
Option 3 — Inside delivery
What it is: Freight team brings the cabinet to the room of your choice but does NOT assemble or unpack.
Typical cost: $100–$250 above curbside.
Pros: Solves the heavy-lifting problem.
Cons: You still unpack and assemble.
Best for: Buyers comfortable assembling furniture but unable to handle the heavy transfer.
Option 4 — White-glove delivery
What it is: The most complete option. Two-person team brings the cabinet to the room of your choice, unpacks, assembles, places, removes packaging, and confirms operation.
Typical cost: $200–$500 above curbside (varies meaningfully by destination).
Pros: - No heavy lifting - No assembly - Mechanism tested in your room before the team leaves - Packaging removed - Often the only realistic option for upper-floor delivery or buildings with restrictions
Cons: Most expensive option.
Best for: Most buyers. The marginal cost is worth it for almost everyone.
What white-glove delivery actually covers
The term “white-glove” varies by carrier. Confirm before paying:
- [ ] Delivery to the specific room of your choice (not just “inside the house”)
- [ ] Assembly (if applicable — most cabinet beds ship mostly assembled but may need feet attached, mattress unpacked, etc.)
- [ ] Mechanism testing in your room — opening and closing the bed once to confirm proper operation
- [ ] Packaging removal (the cardboard, plastic, foam supports — significant volume for a furniture piece this size)
- [ ] Mattress placement inside the cabinet
- [ ] No additional flight-of-stairs fees (or clearly stated upfront)
- [ ] No additional weight-handling fees
If any of these are excluded, you’re paying for partial white-glove and may be surprised on delivery day.
Delivery cost by manufacturer location
Cabinet beds ship from one of five US locations (per the Cabinet Bed Naming Map). Distance to your address matters:
| Manufacturer | Ships from | Typical freight to your region |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander & Sheridan | Sanford, FL | $50 (FL same-state), $100–$200 (SE), $200–$400 (West) |
| Lineage / Sea Winds | Asheboro, NC | $90–$150 (Carolinas/VA), $150–$300 (most US), $300–$500 (West) |
| Arason Enterprises | Stevensville, MD | $100–$250 (Mid-Atlantic, NE), $200–$400 (most US), $300–$500 (West) |
| Night & Day Furniture | Rockville, MD | $100–$250 (Mid-Atlantic, NE), $200–$400 (most US), $300–$500 (West) |
| Cottage Creek | Distributor / own stock | Varies; ask dealer |
Local stocking dealers typically absorb freight into inventory and pass through lower per-unit delivery cost. Direct out-of-state manufacturer purchases pay full freight per order.
Pre-delivery checklist
Before the cabinet ships, confirm:
- [ ] Address is correct — including unit number, building name, gate code if applicable
- [ ] Delivery window — date and time range (most are 4-hour windows)
- [ ] Contact phone — driver needs reachable contact on delivery day
- [ ] Path measurements — doorway, hallway, stairwell, elevator dimensions confirmed against crated case dimensions (typically 78–80” longest dimension)
- [ ] Parking arrangements — for downtown urban deliveries especially
- [ ] Building requirements — freight elevator booking, certificate of insurance, vendor sign-in
- [ ] HOA / gated community access — vendor pass arranged
- [ ] Two-person crew is coming (for white-glove)
- [ ] Mechanism testing is part of the service
- [ ] Removal of packaging is included
For multi-floor or upper-level deliveries, also confirm: - Stair count (some carriers charge per flight) - Elevator access and dimensions (the freight team needs to know if the case fits) - Building delivery hours
Special delivery considerations
Older homes (pre-1960)
Doorway and hallway dimensions often differ from modern construction: - Interior doorways may be 28–30 inches (vs 32–36 modern) - Hallway turns may be tighter - Stairwell turning radius may not accommodate a 78–80 inch case diagonally
Measure painstakingly. Many historic homes can accommodate a full-size cabinet (60 inches wide) but not a queen (64–80 inches wide). If you’re set on a queen, confirm the crated dimensions can make the turn at every point in the delivery path BEFORE ordering.
Multi-floor condos and high-rises
- Freight elevator access is essential — some buildings only allow furniture delivery via freight elevator, others have specific delivery hours
- Confirm freight elevator interior dimensions versus your cabinet’s crated dimensions
- Property managers may require: certificate of insurance from carrier, advance notice (24–72 hours typical), specific delivery windows, security deposit
- Many high-end condo buildings charge a “move-in fee” for furniture delivery — separate from CBA’s costs
Vacation rentals and remote properties
- Some carriers don’t deliver to remote addresses or charge “long destination” surcharges
- Mountain access roads may not accommodate 30-foot freight trucks; smaller-vehicle final-mile delivery may be needed
- Coordinate with property managers if you’re not on-site for the delivery
Hurricane / severe weather windows
- June–November Atlantic hurricane season can disrupt freight to coastal markets
- Winter snow events can disrupt mountain and Northern delivery
- Confirm carrier’s rescheduling policy before ordering
What happens if delivery goes wrong
The cabinet won’t fit through your door
This is the single most common delivery problem. Options: - (a) Refuse delivery; return at original carrier’s freight cost + 20–35% restocking fee. This is the expensive option ($300–$600 typically). - (b) Negotiate a partial-disassembly delivery; some carriers can break down the case and reassemble in the room. Not always possible. - (c) Switch to a smaller cabinet (full instead of queen); may require a return-and-reorder process.
Prevention: Measure before ordering. Always.
The cabinet is damaged in transit
Inspect the cabinet on delivery day — before signing the carrier’s receipt. If you see damage: - Photograph it before unloading - Note the damage in writing on the carrier’s receipt - File a claim with the carrier within 7 days (often 24–48 hours required for full coverage) - Contact the dealer immediately
Don’t sign “accepted in good condition” on the receipt if you can see damage. That’s often the only protection you have.
The delivery team doesn’t perform what was promised
- Document what was promised (the order or confirmation email)
- Document what actually happened (photos of where the cabinet was left)
- Contact the dealer immediately to invoke their delivery quality guarantee
- File a complaint with the carrier if they refuse to fulfill the agreed scope
The mechanism doesn’t work after assembly
- Don’t accept delivery as complete until the mechanism has been demonstrated working
- If the delivery team can’t make it work, refuse to sign delivery complete; require the carrier to take it back
- Damaged or defective units returned during delivery typically don’t incur restocking fees (warranty handles it instead)
Common questions
Is white-glove delivery worth the cost?
For a 250–400 lb piece of furniture, almost always yes. Curbside delivery saves $200–$400 but creates real problems for most buyers without a strong helper team. White-glove also includes mechanism testing in your room — the only chance to catch a delivery-day defect before signing.
Can I save money by picking it up from the freight terminal?
Some carriers offer this option (“freight terminal pickup”). The savings is typically $100–$200 but you need: - A truck large enough for a 78–80 inch crated case - Two strong people to load it from the dock - The same two people available to unload and move at the destination
For most buyers, the math doesn’t work out. White-glove is worth the additional cost.
How long does delivery typically take from order?
- Local stocking dealer with the cabinet on the floor: 3–7 business days
- Dealer ordering from manufacturer in same region: 2–4 weeks
- Cross-country freight: 3–5 weeks
- Custom finish or back-ordered model: 6–12 weeks
Can I track the shipment?
Yes, in most cases. Quality dealers provide a freight tracking number and 24–48 hour advance notification of delivery window. Confirm tracking is included when you order.
What if I’m not home during the delivery window?
For curbside, the cabinet may be left without signature (carrier’s choice). For inside delivery and white-glove, the carrier requires someone over 18 to be present and sign. Reschedule if you can’t be there.
What to do next
If you’re shopping for a cabinet bed, the Buyer’s Checklist covers delivery and 16 other things to check before you buy. If you want to be matched with a local dealer who can handle delivery directly, use Cabinet Bed Finder below.
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Cabinet Bed Authority is an independent guide. We don’t manufacture or sell cabinet beds. We help shoppers compare options and find local dealers when possible.