Buying new office furniture for your business is no little task. Not every company has the same work needs or layout with which the furniture has to fit and function. But just because there is a lot of planning and decision making that goes into the process, it can still be a hassle-free experience with the right help. After 13 years of buying and selling office furniture across the country, we have worked with lots of different types of customers and have encountered many different challenges; a lot of which could probably be avoided if it weren’t for some of these common office furniture buying mistakes.
1) Not Having a Good Plan
You may have some ideas about what type of furniture you want, but without the right plan, there’s no guarantee it’ll work in your space. Make sure you start with a vision of what the furniture must accomplish or how it will be used. It’s also important to have a drawing of your new space, whether you have one created or obtain it from the landlord or last occupant. Having a good drawing of your space will help you assess how you can incorporate your existing furniture and the new furniture into a design that fits your employee needs. It is really helpful in enabling you to see a finished product before the furniture is even purchased.
2) Not Testing the Furniture Before You Buy
Just like purchasing a car or even a new pair of shoes, you shouldn’t buy the product before you test it out! Request a chair sample to test out for a day or two or visit a showroom to get a good feel of the comfort and ergonomics that the chair has to offer. It may also be a good idea to have a couple of your team members give the chairs a try as well to get a good representation of your employees. The more comfortable they feel, the more productive and happy they’ll be working each day.
3) Buying from a Dealer who Can’t Help with Your Existing Office Furniture Needs
A lot of dealers can sell you a good product, but not all are interested in helping you maximize your furniture investment. The right, full service dealer is looking out for you by managing your existing office furniture as well. There may be ways to incorporate your old furniture into your new space, or it can be recycled by the dealer to extend the product’s lifespan. This could increase the value of the furniture as you make the transition to new and also save you the trouble of finding a second company to remove the furniture for you. The right dealer should be able to explore the options of a trade credit for your new furniture or at the very least, make the removal of the product hassle-free to you.
4) Choosing Looks over Comfort & Functionality
With all the new trends in modern office furniture, it may be tempting to choose the stylish look of one office design over the practical one for your employees. Not that you can’t have both, but a large collaborative work area isn’t always going to the be the right fit for telemarketing or sales positions, nor is a sleek guest chair going to be the best for employees who sit all day at a computer. Comfort is the biggest thing you can offer your employees and guests in terms of furniture, in terms of productivity, work ethic and happiness. Make sure you keep an open mind to various new styles and trends that aren’t just trendy, but provide the right comfort too!
5) Choosing a Dealer With Little Support After the Sale
Of course, you’re focused on getting your furniture into your space and getting your employees happily working again. But inevitably, you’ll have needs long after the installation. Any dealer will focus on you as a priority when they’re trying to make the sale, but it’s all the extra aspects of the job that separate a good dealer from a not so good one. Design, project management, storage, swing space and liquidation services are additional solutions that can be available to you through the right dealer. Design and project management services should be complimentary as they are an crucial part of the process. They also ensure that all of your information and project details are kept on record to help with any future modifications or upgrades. Having these contacts will make it easy for you to get in touch with your dealer with any questions you may have long after the installation is complete.