| Delivery of Office Furniture | | | | was quoted as a one-time charge, and your needs |
| It's difficult to be specific about the process of office | | | | have changed, will there be additional charges? |
| furniture delivery. Circumstances, such as where you | | | | Installation of Office Furniture |
| live, union requirements, etc., make a difference. | | | | For excellent office furniture installations completed |
| However, there are several generic topics you may | | | | on time, you must hire a reputable, experienced |
| want to discuss with your furniture representative. | | | | installation company. Wherever you live, you should |
| Overtime versus straight time: Overtime deliveries | | | | take precautions to make sure your furniture is |
| are more costly than those during normal business | | | | installed properly and on time. |
| hours. This is a decision that you, the client, must | | | | Small projects of uncomplicated freestanding furniture |
| make. If it involves a few pieces, and won't disrupt | | | | are easy to install and, therefore, most companies |
| your staff, then straight time should work for you. If | | | | should have no trouble with these office furniture |
| the product is for a project that requires installation, | | | | installations. If you are involved with what I consider |
| then you should discuss the options with your | | | | a project (at least $50,000), I suggest that you |
| furniture representative. | | | | discuss the following issues with your sales |
| Elevator/loading docks: If your workplace is in a | | | | representative before you sign off on the order: |
| shared, rented, or leased building, you will need to | | | | Job Foreman/Supervisor: This person is key to the |
| coordinate the office furniture delivery time and any | | | | success of office furniture installations. Insist that the |
| other arrangements with building management. | | | | same person act as the foreman or supervisor from |
| Trash removal: Unless otherwise agreed upon, the | | | | inception through the punch list of your project. Also, |
| trucking company should uncarton and/or unwrap all | | | | request that this foreman/supervisor visit the site |
| furniture and remove the packing materials from your | | | | prior to the first delivery. At this time, you should |
| facility. | | | | meet him and discuss the project with him. Relay any |
| Direct deliveries: Direct means that the furniture will | | | | building requirements to the foreman/supervisor (such |
| be delivered from the factory direct to your site and | | | | as elevator requirements, location of loading dock, |
| not to a warehouse. Manufacturers have quantity | | | | building hours, etc.). |
| requirements, such as full trailer loads, for direct | | | | Installation Drawings/Typicals: Find out who is |
| deliveries. All arrangements for a major project, | | | | responsible for preparing the final drawings for the |
| should be discussed with your furniture | | | | office furniture installations and ask for a copy for |
| representative at the time the order is placed. | | | | your files. When a architect or design firm is involved |
| Damages: Most furniture is delivered to your facility in | | | | with your project, they may be preparing floor plans |
| the original cartons or packaging. This method lessens | | | | that include generic furniture layouts. Usually the |
| the chance of damage occurring. | | | | office furniture dealership takes these drawings and |
| Sign off: A representative of your company will be | | | | turns them into final drawings once the furniture has |
| asked to sign for the product after it has been | | | | been selected. |
| delivered. If you are receiving only a few pieces, you | | | | Systems Installation: At the very least, the installation |
| should inspect them before signing the office | | | | foreman/supervisor should have experience installing |
| furniture delivery ticket, and note any damages on | | | | the particular system you are purchasing. Ask about |
| the ticket. | | | | his past experience with the furniture systems you |
| Assembly: Some delivery personnel will assembly | | | | have selected. |
| bookcases, level lateral files, install bases on small | | | | Overtime/Straight Time: Confirm what hours are |
| tables, etc., at the same time as the delivery is made. | | | | considered straight time, particularly where unions are |
| This can save you some money, so be sure to | | | | involved. Think about your particular project and |
| discuss this possibility when you review your price | | | | inquire about extra charges for overtime, additional |
| quote. | | | | deliveries, etc. |
| Cancellation charges: Inquire about the policy for | | | | Staging Areas: Prior to the first delivery, inquire about |
| delivery cancellations or delays with your furniture | | | | how much space will be needed for staging the |
| representative as cancellation fees may apply in | | | | furniture. |
| certain situations. | | | | Now that you have discussed the above delivery and |
| Budget: Remember that if your office furniture | | | | installation issues with your furniture dealer, request |
| delivery was quoted at straight time and you switch | | | | that the agreed upon information be presented to |
| to overtime, additional charges may occur. | | | | you in writing; preferably before your furniture order |
| Multiple deliveries: This is another issue to discuss with | | | | is placed. |
| your furniture representative: if the furniture delivery | | | | |