You've bought a row of real cinema seats. Here's how to get them home in one piece

Reclaimed cinema, theatre and stadium seats are one of the best finds for a home cinema, games room or fan cave. They're also awkward: long, heavy, joined together and built to stay bolted to a floor. Here's a simple plan for getting them from the seller to your place.

1. Check what you've actually bought

Is it singles or rows that are joined together? Ask the seller how long each row is, roughly how heavy it is, and whether the seats fold. A tape measure and a photo of the back and underneath will save surprises.

2. Make sure they're unbolted before collection day

Agree with the seller who is taking them off the floor and when. A driver collects items. They don't unbolt seating, so the seats should be free and ready to lift on the day.

3. Bag and label the fixings

Put the floor bolts, brackets and any end panels in a bag, label it, and tape it to the row it belongs to. They're the first thing to go missing.

4. Protect the bits that mark

Fold the seats up and strap them. Wrap the armrests, cup holders and any upholstery in blankets or bubble wrap. If they're recliners, leave the motors unplugged and tie up any cables.

5. Measure the route at your end

Rows are long. Check the doors, hallway corners and stairs to the room they're going in. If a full row won't turn the corner, it's better to know now.

6. Describe the job clearly

How many seats or rows, the rough length and weight, where they're collected from and going to, parking and steps at both ends, and when the seller needs them gone.

7. Get quotes and choose

You can ring round, or post the job once and let quotes come to you. Pink Pumpkin Logistics, the site I run, lets you post it for free at pinkpumpkinlogistics.co.uk. Drivers send quotes and you pick the one you're happy with, with no obligation.

8. Then the fun bit

Line them up, dim the lights and press play. There's nothing quite like a proper fold-down seat for film night.

Disclosure: I run Pink Pumpkin Logistics, the site mentioned above.