When you’re spending hundreds or even thousands of pounds on a new sofa or dining set, the last thing you want is a delivery fee added on top. DFS is one of the UK’s most well-known furniture retailers, but their delivery charge often comes as a surprise at checkout. Whether you're buying in-store or online, the delivery cost is usually fixed and not included in the price of the item. So the question is: can you actually avoid the DFS delivery charge?
Why DFS charges for delivery
Unlike some retailers that include delivery in the headline price, DFS keeps it separate. The delivery fee covers the handling, transport and installation of large, bulky items. Furniture is delivered using a two-person team who carry it into your home, place it in the room of your choice, and remove packaging if required. This makes it a premium service, which is why it's not free—even on more expensive orders.
Can you collect from DFS instead?
One of the most direct ways to avoid a delivery charge is by arranging to collect the item yourself. However, DFS does not operate in the same way as smaller stores where you can drive up and load your purchase into a car or van. Most items are made to order and delivered directly from a distribution centre, not from the showroom. This means collection is usually not offered as a customer option. Even if you ask, staff will typically explain that delivery is part of the standard fulfilment process and can’t be removed.
Does DFS ever offer free delivery promotions?
From time to time, DFS runs promotional events or sales that may include free delivery as part of the offer. These tend to be limited-time deals tied to specific product ranges, such as seasonal clearance or new collections. However, these offers are rare, and most items on the site will still show a standard delivery charge at checkout. If you’re hoping to avoid the fee, it’s worth looking out for these promotions or asking in-store if any current offers include free delivery.
Is delivery negotiable in-store?
If you’re buying from a DFS showroom, you might assume there’s room to negotiate the delivery cost, especially on a large order. In most cases, the delivery charge is fixed and added automatically to the total, even if you're purchasing several items at once. Sales staff have limited flexibility, and most will explain that delivery is a flat rate that applies to every customer. That said, it never hurts to ask—especially if you're making a high-value purchase or buying multiple items. While it's not guaranteed, you may find that some branches offer a gesture discount or store credit in place of free delivery.
What about splitting the delivery?
Some customers ask whether ordering items separately might affect the charge. Unfortunately, it doesn't. The DFS delivery fee is usually per order, not per item—but it’s still applied whether you order one piece of furniture or a full suite. Ordering items separately won’t reduce the fee, and in some cases, it might even result in multiple charges if items come from different warehouses or require different delivery dates.
Alternative ways to save
If you're looking to cut costs overall, consider waiting for a seasonal sale or shopping clearance lines, which are often discounted heavily and sometimes come with lower delivery costs. You might not avoid the fee completely, but the savings on the product itself can offset it. It’s also worth checking finance options if your main concern is affordability—DFS offers interest-free credit, which can help spread the total cost, including delivery, over time.
Click and collect an option at DFS?
One of the first things many customers ask when trying to avoid a delivery charge is whether DFS offers click and collect. Unlike smaller retailers or flat-pack furniture stores, DFS does not currently offer a click and collect service. Even if you buy in-store, the item is not available to take away that day. Most products sold by DFS are made to order or delivered from a central warehouse, not kept in stock at local branches. As a result, all items are sent through their home delivery network, and collection by customers is not offered as part of the standard purchase process.
This applies whether you buy online or in-store. Even showroom staff will explain that once you place an order, it goes through the standard delivery route and arrives at your address on a scheduled date via a two-person delivery team. This setup ensures that your item is handled correctly and installed safely, but it also removes the option to collect and avoid that fee.
How much is DFS delivery?
As of the most recent pricing structure, DFS charges a flat-rate delivery fee of £79 for most furniture orders. This cost is per order, not per item, which means if you’re buying several pieces in one go—such as a sofa and an armchair—you’ll still only pay one delivery charge. The £79 fee includes delivery by a two-person team who will carry the item into your home, position it in the room of your choice, and remove any packaging if requested. For many, that level of service adds value, but it can still be frustrating if you’re hoping to cut the overall cost.
Some accessories and smaller items—such as footstools or cushions—may carry a lower delivery fee, depending on how they're packaged and sent. These tend to be delivered separately via standard courier rather than the two-person team. The fee in those cases is usually lower and shown clearly at checkout.
Why the delivery fee is hard to avoid
DFS treats delivery as a premium white-glove service, and that’s why the fee is consistent across orders. Even when buying expensive furniture, the delivery cost remains fixed. It’s not scaled based on the value of your order or the distance from the warehouse. The aim is to standardise the cost across the UK, so every customer pays the same regardless of where they live or what they buy.
Because the company doesn't offer collection or allow customers to arrange their own courier, there’s little room to get around the charge. And unlike some retailers that bake the delivery cost into the product price, DFS keeps it separate and transparent. While this can make the total price feel more expensive, it's their way of showing the actual value of delivery as a service
Do they ever waive the delivery charge?
It’s rare, but not impossible. In promotional events—particularly during bank holiday weekends or major sales—DFS has been known to run free delivery offers on selected ranges. These are time-limited and tend to apply only to certain products. The easiest way to find out is by checking the banner promotions on the DFS homepage or asking in-store whether any current offers include free delivery. If you’re placing a large order, especially for multiple rooms, it’s always worth asking if anything can be done about the fee, but most of the time, it's a fixed cost that applies to every transaction.
Is the delivery charge worth it?
While it’s tempting to focus on the extra £79, many customers do find the service itself is well executed. The furniture is delivered at an agreed time slot, the team brings it inside, assembles it if needed, and takes care of packaging removal. Compared to standard courier drop-offs, the DFS delivery experience is more hands-on, and that’s partly what the fee covers. So, while the charge can't usually be avoided, it does come with a level of care that adds value—especially for larger, heavier, or more complex items.
Summary
In most cases, the DFS delivery charge is unavoidable. The service is part of how the company ensures your furniture arrives safely, is carried into your home, and is set up properly. Collection isn't typically an option, and negotiation over the fee is rare. While occasional offers may include free delivery, these are the exception, not the rule. If you're looking to save money, the best approach is to shop smart during sales, ask about current offers, and make sure the overall value of your purchase justifies the additional cost.