White Glove Sofa Delivery: What It Includes

What white glove delivery includes

White glove sofa delivery is a premium service that goes beyond a standard curbside drop-off. Instead of leaving your sofa at the front door, a two-person team brings it into your home, unpacks it, places it exactly where you want it, and removes all packaging. The term comes from the idea that the crew treats your furniture and your floors with the same care you would.

Standard delivery usually stops at the curb or the lobby, leaving you to manage the sofa through hallways and up stairs. White glove service is particularly useful for large sectional sofas, heavy recliners, or sofas that need assembly. If you are comparing options that ship in multiple pieces, such as a modular sofa, white glove delivery can save you hours of work. It is also a good choice if you live in an apartment with narrow stairs or have a tight doorway that requires careful maneuvering.

Typical steps in white glove delivery

Each delivery company has its own routine, but most white glove services follow the same overall sequence. Here are the typical steps you can expect.

Before the crew arrives, the retailer or scheduling agent will usually confirm your delivery window and remind you to clear a path. On the day, the crew arrives with the sofa in a truck and assesses the access point to your home. They may ask about door widths or stairways before carrying anything inside.

• Scheduling a delivery window: You pick a date and a time range, often several hours long.
• Access check: The crew confirms the sofa dimensions against your doorways and stairway before they carry anything in.
• Carrying in: Two movers move the sofa through doors, around corners, and up or down stairs.
• Unpacking: They remove shrink wrap, cardboard, foam and plastic protectors, being careful not to damage the fabric.
• Assembly: If your sofa has legs, back cushions, or modular sections, they attach them following the manufacturer instructions.
• Placement: The sofa is set in the room you choose, and the crew adjusts it so it sits level and fits the space.
• Packaging removal: All boxes, plastic and wrap are collected and taken away for recycling or disposal.
• Final inspection: The crew points out any issues, you check the sofa, and you sign to accept delivery.

Questions to ask before scheduling

Before you schedule white glove delivery, ask these questions to avoid surprises. The answers can change how you prepare your home and what you expect on delivery day.

• Is assembly included in the base service, or is it offered as an additional service?
• Does the crew carry the sofa up multiple flights of stairs, and is there a limit on the number of floors?
• Will they remove your old sofa, or will they only take away the new packaging?
• Do they need to remove doors from hinges, and will they reattach them?
• Can you choose a narrower delivery window, or is the time range fixed?
• Are there any special requirements, such as a clear path of a certain width or parking access?

Preparing your home for the delivery crew

A little preparation goes a long way. Measure your room, doorways, and stairwells before the sofa arrives. Our guide to measuring your room and our doorway measurement guide can help you identify potential bottlenecks.

Clear a path through your home, moving area rugs, plants, and fragile items. If your sofa will go upstairs, confirm the stair width and landing space. For large sofas, consider that a 110-inch model may need extra clearance, while a loveseat is easier to maneuver. The white glove team will handle the heavy lifting, but you can speed things up by having the room ready. Also, make sure there is a place to park the delivery truck close to your entrance.

If you have pets or small children, it may be wise to keep them in another room during the carry-in. Delivery crews are careful but moving a large sofa through a hallway can be distracting. Keeping the area clear of foot traffic reduces the risk of accidents.

Safety and air quality considerations

New sofas can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your indoor air. The EPA notes that VOCs are emitted from building materials and furnishings, and concentrations of many VOCs are often higher indoors than outdoors. After the white glove team finishes, open windows and doors to bring in fresh air. This is especially helpful if you are sensitive to odors or have respiratory concerns.

New furniture can also contain formaldehyde, which the EPA lists as an ingredient in composite wood products. Upholstered sofas often have wood frames or particleboard in their bases, so excited formaldehyde may be present. Allowing the sofa to air out in a well-ventilated room before regular use is a good practice.

Also, every upholstered sofa sold in the United States must comply with the CPSC flammability standard and carry a permanent label that says “Complies with U.S. CPSC requirements for upholstered furniture flammability.” You can look for this label while the crew is setting up. The label may be on the bottom or back of the sofa. If you cannot find it, ask the retailer for documentation.

Making the delivery day go smoothly

A little preparation makes delivery day smoother. Measure your room, doorways, and stairwells before the sofa arrives. Our guide to measuring your room and our doorway measurement guide can help you identify potential bottlenecks.

Clear a path through your home, moving area rugs, plants, and fragile items. If your sofa will go upstairs, confirm the stair width and landing space. For large sofas, consider a 110-inch model may need extra clearance, while a loveseat is easier to maneuver. The white glove team will handle the heavy lifting, but you can speed things up by having the room ready.

Have a plan for where you want the sofa placed. Measure the wall or corner where it will go, and mark the spot with painter's tape if needed. The crew can adjust the position but they will appreciate a clear target. Also, remove any delicate decor from the immediate area so nothing gets knocked over during the placement.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Does white glove delivery include removal of my old sofa?

Not always. Ask the retailer or delivery company in advance. Some services include haul-away as an extra option, while others only handle the new delivery. If you need removal, confirm whether it is a separate fee or bundled into the service.

Can the delivery team assemble my modular sofa?

Yes, assembly is typically included, but confirm when you schedule. Modular sofas with many pieces are easier for the crew to handle because they can bring each module in separately and connect them in the room. They will also attach legs and back cushions as needed.

Do I need to be home during the delivery?

Usually yes, since the crew needs you to confirm placement and sign for the delivery. You may need to allow a time window of several hours. Some companies offer online tracking to narrow the window, so you can plan your day accordingly.

What should I do if my sofa is damaged during delivery?

Inspect it before accepting. Note any damage on the delivery receipt and contact customer service. White glove services typically have return or replacement policies, but they vary, so read the terms before you schedule. Photograph the damage for documentation.

Will the crew bring the sofa upstairs?

That depends on the service. Ask about stairs and floors when scheduling, and whether that is included in the standard service or needs to be arranged separately. Some crews may charge extra for long carries or difficult access, so clarify before the delivery date.