FF&E Consultant vs Furniture Supplier
There are diverse advantages and disadvantages between an FF&E Consultant vs Furniture Suppliers. Some clients tend to go directly to a furniture supplier thinking they can do the work of an FF&E consultant, but the services are completely different. This article will be covering off the benefits of working with both an FF&E Consultant, such as what we do at SP3 London vs Furniture Supplier.
What is a furniture supplier?
A furniture supplier is a company that manufactures and sells furniture products. Furniture is considered as tables, chairs, beds, desks, dressers, and cupboards, or any objects that are usually kept in a house or other building to make it suitable or comfortable for living or working in. Typically, they take your order and then deliver your goods.
Why do people and businesses work with them directly?
Furniture suppliers offer choice: they have access to a wide range of furniture products, which is naturally very beneficial. As a result of their position in the industry, they are also able to offer low prices on furniture products. This can be a great way to get a better deal on furniture and to ensure that the furniture you purchase is of high quality.
There's the added benefit of the services that come with directly working with a furniture supplier. Many offer free furniture design services, and integrally, the assistance with furniture product selection can be a significant factor for many clients choosing this avenue. Once the supplier has received your specifications, they will begin to search for the perfect furniture for you. They will also contact you to let you know when they have found a suitable piece of furniture, and what's more, you know you can return and exchange a piece that you don't find suitable.
The ease of communication with just one other party in the mix is attractive for a lot of people because it retains that element of control that many struggle to give up. Cutting out the middleman means you know exactly what's being communicated and the information you're receiving.
Many opt for direct liaison with furniture suppliers as a result of their environmental credentials. In these unprecedented times of environmental crisis, ethical conduct and sustainable sourcing is more important than ever and working directly with a supplier of your choice is a good way to pursue transparency and prioritise environmental practice.
What are the Disadvantages?
In many cases, furniture suppliers try to sell their own products, which can be significantly limiting for your choice and not always take into account your requirements. Moreover, it can be very difficult to find a furniture supplier who meets your specifications - whether these are environmental, financial, logistical or otherwise.
A furniture supplier also typically sells new furniture, as well as limiting the client to a specific set of what's specifically on trend, and possibly missing on period pieces and vintage steals. As a result, a furniture supplier may not have as much variety, and may also not have as much expertise in choosing the right furniture for your specific needs.
The likelihood of having to pay a higher price for furniture from a supplier is relatively high. The costs are usually higher on furniture as manufacturers need to include a healthy mark-up. Opting for a different approach outside of direct furniture suppliers saves money.
It can take some time for the supplier to find a suitable piece of furniture, and you may then have to wait a few weeks for the furniture to arrive. This time locating and delivering the furniture can be an issue, and in some cases, even set back projects as a result. Another cause for delays is the potential risk incurred when you have to rely on one partner. Within this process, you aren't guaranteed the same degree of transparency when working with a consultant or specialist. That isn't necessarily a problem, but it has been known to cause a distinct issue in some cases.
Why work with an FF&E consultant?
FF&E consultants are experts in meeting client demands and requirements. They can take care of all the research and procurement for you, and help you get the best deals on quality furniture and equipment. They will ensure that the pieces selected for the project work with the overall design scheme being a huge benefit to clients as furniture suppliers specify furniture requirements in isolation from the main project. FF&E consultants truly design to requirements to deliver projects you’re ecstatic with. They can also help you set up and install your new furniture and equipment and provide training on how to use it. Having a consultant on your team can help your business run more smoothly and efficiently.
A key area where FF&E designers truly earn their value is their ability to research, plan and procure according to client’s design requirements. Before projects even commence plans are signed off which in most cases will be followed through to completion. However, it’s common for changes to be made midway through the project to suit the project aesthetically and functionally and FF&E designers also deliver this eye for design throughout the entire project. So your plans start to come to life, if we see areas that don’t quite match up with clients requirements we’re very much aware and will provide changes and recommendations. That eye for design is extremely important and is one of the main reasons why we stand out at SP3 London.
Working with a specialist can save you time and hassle. They can plan your project and execute it from beginning to completion and can take care of all the research and shopping for you, plus help you get the best deals on quality furniture and equipment. Through FF&E Services you get access to a much wider knowledge of furniture and its uses in the workplace or your home. They are not just limited to supplying furniture but can also offer advice on how to use it to create a more efficient and productive environment. They can also help you with the design, logistics and installation of your new furniture and equipment and provide training on how to use it. Having a consultant on your team can help your business run more smoothly and efficiently.
An FF&E consultant can recommend used or refurbished furniture and equipment that is still in good condition. They can also help you troubleshoot problems with your current furniture and equipment and recommend repairs or replacements, as well as the fact that they can use their relationships to source your requirements at better pricing and can help you negotiate better prices on new furniture and equipment too. These aspects are both financially beneficial and very environmentally conscious. The key here is that they also have a design eye and can assist with planning a space if you don't have full interior design services.
Time is valuable and working with an FF&E consultant can help maximise the effective use of your time. There's also a distinct financial benefit to working with a specialist. It goes without saying that it is going to cost you money, and given that spending that money is unavoidable, you have the most worthwhile and economic outcome possible. A specialist is well aware of this, and must consistently prove their worth to you, ensuring that you get the best possible use of their skills, expertise and experience.
Conclusion
It has become clear that there is a distinct difference between FF&E consultant and furniture suppliers, and it's significant in terms of the impact it can have on the process. Understanding what these two different services provide and what they can offer you is the key to choosing the right one, and we're always on hand to guide you through the process.
If you’re interested in knowing more about how SP3 London can support you with FF&E Services, get in touch with us today.
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