Your Office Furniture Supplier.

Just about every reputable office furniture supplier can sell you quality furniture at competitive prices.  So how do you choose?  Here are 6 questions you can ask a potential supplier to tell the best from the rest.

1.  Do you guarantee, in writing, that the project will be on time and complete?

Industry-wide, most (> 50%) cubicle projects are completed late.  If you need to put people in those offices so that they can get to work then you'll want some written assurance that they won't all be standing around for 2 weeks while the office furniture supplier finishes the job.

2.  Do you guarantee, in writing, that the final bill will match the quote (no hidden charges)?

Hard to believe, but some suppliers will quote you one price to get the business, but when the job's complete the actual bill is more!  Now, to be fair, sometimes it's justified - but sometimes it's NOT.

3.  What is your written policy on returning phone calls?

It might seem like a trivial matter - until you need to get in touch with somebody right quick!  Then it's good to know whether you can get hold of him sometime before 10 o'clock next summer!

4.  What is your written policy on completing the punch list?

Even a job that IS completed on time (meaning that folks can get to work!) can have a few minor items remaining before it is entirely finished (i.e., a punch list).  How does the supplier handle it?  Will they mail you a few parts and tell you you're on your own?

5.  What are the minimum qualifications for your installation crews?

Here's another area where you need to be careful.  Untrained installers may not only do a lousy job of installing but they can do things like disrupt work going on around them or even damage your facility.

6.  Do you offer emergency service?

Once in a while you could be in a bind and you need something unusual on short notice - what can this supplier do to help you out of a jam?