Are you in the market for new office furniture? Or perhaps you're struggling to find an office furniture provider? Whether you're remodeling your current workspace or building a new office, choosing office furniture is tough, but selecting an office furniture provider is really tough.
When it comes to choosing an office furniture provider, you need a partner. You need someone who wants to learn about your business goals and your budget. You want someone who simplifies the furniture buying process by doing the hard work for you, so you know exactly what office furniture to buy.
Here at Egyptian Workspace Partners, we know most organizations struggle to select office furniture for their furniture. It's easy to feel overwhelmed because there are so many different styles, qualities, features and price points to choose from.
That's why we offer a simple three-step process and guide you every step of the way. When you find the right office furniture (and office furniture provider), you can increase workplace productivity, attract new talent and grow your business.
In this article, we'll break down the top four things to look for in an office furniture provider. Then, we'll take a look at the questions to ask before you choose a provider. That way, you'll be confident you're choosing a furniture partner you can rely on, now and for years to come.
What to Look for in Your Office Furniture Provider
1. Continuous Support and Services
The most important part of any furniture purchase is what comes after the sale. Regardless of how much furniture you buy, your office furniture provider should always be there for you, even after your furniture is paid for, delivered, assembled and installed.
Some furniture providers outsource the service and installation of their products. Unfortunately, this means your provider has little to no control over what happens after the initial sale, leading to issues for you down the road. If your furniture breaks, there may be no way of fixing it.
Ideally, your office furniture provider will support you throughout the furniture buying process and guide you, every step of the way. They should offer in-house resources, like project management, delivery and installation, as well as complimentary design services, which we'll discuss in the next section.
Most importantly, your office furniture provider should provide continuous support, even after the final sale. They should always be able to assist you with repairs, warranty claims and any other issues, whether it's one year, five years or even ten years down the road.
2. Complimentary Design Services
No two businesses are exactly the same. For this reason, you need an office furniture partner who listens to your needs and wants, understands your budget and delivers a custom design plan for you. They will also ask questions about what business issues you want the solve and the vision you want to achieve.
Your furniture provider should use top-of-the-line design software to create realistic 3D renderings of your workspace. They will provide you with several different finishes and material options (as well as samples to look through) and give you an accurate, detailed furniture installation package.
Additionally, you should never pay for these services. Some design firms charge a large fee to design a layout. The right office furniture provider can do this for free without replacing the products and solutions you need for cheaper, low-quality alternatives to save money.
By choosing an office furniture designer with complimentary design services, you can save valuable time, money and resources. Best of all, you will have a beautiful workspace that not only promotes your company brand and culture but also shows your employees how much you care.
3. Multiple Budgeting and Financing Options
Whether your project is big or small, it's important to involve your office furniture provider as early as possible. If you engage your furniture provider too late, there can be a lot of problems, and budgeting issues are no exception.
The ideal partner will discuss your budget with you as soon as you're ready to talk about it. In fact, they should encourage you to discuss your budget in the first meeting. By being open and honest up front, they'll have a better understanding of how much money you're willing to spend.
Furthermore, your office furniture partner will provide you with flexible financing options. From furniture leasing to monthly payment plans, your provider should go out of their way to help you save money so you can invest in other opportunities.
4. Reputable Brands
If you're on a budget, you may be considering cheaper alternatives, such as lower-quality office furniture or even used furniture. While the ladder option may seem affordable, there are several hidden costs associated with buying used office furniture.
The ideal partner will never force you into buying used office furniture or low-quality furniture that falls apart within a year or two. Instead, they should offer new, high-quality furniture from top industry manufacturers, including (but not limited to) Knoll, Steelcase, Herman Miller and Haworth.
These manufacturers use high-quality building materials. They are committed to providing durable, beautiful office furniture that is worth every single penny. Plus, they offer unmatched customer service, multiple shipping and assembly options and warranties that last up to ten years (or even longer).
Similarly, your office furniture provider will do the same. As an extension of the manufacturer (or manufacturers) they represent, they can assist with warranty claims, provide fast and easy delivery and assemble and install your furniture with a reliable in-house installation team.
How to Choose Your Office Furniture Provider
Choosing an office furniture provider is a tedious process, but it's just as important (or even more important) than the furniture you buy. When it's time to select a furniture provider, you should choose someone who sells office furniture and guides you through the entire process, every step of the way.
At the end of the way, you need a reliable, knowledgeable office furniture provider you can trust. They should offer continuous support, complimentary design services, budgeting and financing options and reputable brands.
Before you choose a provider, you should ask every single candidate these questions:
- Do you offer any in-house services?
- Do you offer warranties and repairs?
- Do you offer warehouse management?
- Do you have an in-house installation team, or do you outsource your labor?
At Egyptian Workspace Partners, we offer financing and leasing options, complimentary design services and other services like moving management, installation and delivery. We make the furniture buying process as simple as possible, so you can focus on running your business.