What Is White Glove Delivery and Do You Need It?
White glove delivery is a premium shipping service in which a trained two-person crew brings furniture inside your home, carries it to the room of your choice, unpacks it, assembles any components, and removes all packaging. At Sutter & Vale, white glove delivery is standard on Baker Furniture pieces and most other heritage-house orders in the living collection.
What exactly happens during a white glove delivery?
The crew handles every step from the truck to the room. A standard white glove appointment includes:
- Scheduled delivery window confirmed in advance
- Two-person team with proper moving equipment
- Carry-in to the specific room, including up stairs
- Unpacking and removal of all crating, foam, and cardboard
- Assembly of any components such as legs, hardware, and shelving
- Basic placement and positioning
- Final inspection with you before the crew leaves
Curbside or threshold delivery does none of this. The driver unloads to the nearest accessible point, and the rest is yours to manage.
Which furniture actually requires white glove service?
Anything large, fragile, or fully upholstered benefits from it, and some pieces make it essential rather than optional.
A fully upholstered bed such as the Panorama Tufted Fully Upholstered Bed from Baker Furniture arrives with a headboard panel and platform components that need coordinated handling to avoid fabric damage. The Kennedy Tufted Bed, with its diamond-patterned tufted panel, requires careful maneuvering through doorways to protect the surface. Heavy case goods with veneered tops, marble, stone, or glass are equally unforgiving. One dropped corner or dragged panel can cause damage that is impossible to reverse cleanly.
If the piece weighs over 80 pounds, has an upholstered surface, or is made of stone or glass, white glove is the reasonable choice.
Does the delivery team need anything from you before they arrive?
Yes, a little preparation makes a real difference.
- Measure doorways, hallways, and stairwells before the delivery date
- Standard interior doorways run 32 to 36 inches wide; confirm clearance for headboards and case goods
- Clear a path from the entrance to the destination room
- Remove fragile items from the route
- Know where you want the piece placed before the crew arrives; repositioning after placement takes time
For upper-floor deliveries, confirm with your dealer whether stair carry is included or subject to a separate arrangement.
Is white glove delivery worth it for smaller pieces?
For accent chairs, side tables, and similar items under 50 pounds, curbside delivery is often sufficient if you are comfortable with basic assembly. For anything larger, the calculation changes. Baker Furniture pieces are built with hand-applied finishes, premium veneers, and tailored upholstery. The cost of one mishandled delivery far exceeds the cost of white glove service.
If you are furnishing a principal bedroom with a piece like the Lyric Fully Upholstered Bed, the shaped silhouette and upholstered breadth make professional carry-in the straightforward call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I choose the room placement, or does the crew decide?
You direct the placement. The crew positions the piece where you indicate and will make reasonable adjustments before they leave. Have your floor plan confirmed before the appointment so the decision is ready when they arrive.
What if the furniture does not fit through a doorway?
Contact your dealer before delivery day, not after. Most dealers can assess whether disassembly is possible or whether an alternate entry point is needed. Baker Furniture upholstered beds are designed with removable components that allow passage through standard openings, but very narrow or angled hallways may require advance planning.
Does white glove delivery include installation of wall-mounted pieces or electrical connections?
No. White glove delivery covers placement and assembly of freestanding furniture only. Anything requiring wall attachment or licensed electrical work falls outside the scope and needs a separate contractor.
The Sutter & Vale Team
