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“Buying furniture for my office was as simple as a trip to IKEA, “ said no office manager. Ever.

While we do in fact make our best effort and encourage our sales reps to ensure our clients experience the smoothest buying process we can offer, it’s often not the case. Not because buying office furniture is a particularly complicated process ; most people leave it to the very last minute, and then realize they needed their furniture yesterday.

As with almost everything that requires time and money, putting together a plan is critical. As soon as you find yourself in the market for office furniture, make sure you avoid the following

#1 No Game Plan - Picking Office furniture without a solid plan or vision

Inspect your layout carefully and ask inputs from your team from the start. Take into account what your office needs and what it wants. Understanding the difference is crucial. Then consult with your finance team on what fits the budget.

Think long-term and don’t get caught up with design fads. Look at your existing furniture if you have any and see how it fits into space with what you want to buy.

#2 Buying too late

Don’t wait till your fit-out is complete. You most likely will have just about 1 or 2 months to move-in. That way you’re pushing yourself into a corner and will make decisions based solely on delivery times. You’re also putting your dealer and sales rep in a fix because it limits the options they can provide.

#3 Opting for furniture without considering Scalability and Adaptability

You’re most likely opening a company with a long-term plan. This means more employees in the future. A growing team means more furniture. It’s then important to consider products that are modular and flexible. Workstations that can’t be re-configured to fit the space means you’ll have to buy new ones having wasted money on products that are just taking up space. Your workspace needs to be agile.

#4 Placing Cost over Value

Don’t be surprised if the lowest priced chair you picked is the first one to break within the first three months of use. There’s a reason some products are priced higher than others. Better ergonomic features and longer warranties on products that are built to last and better investment in the long run. What you save in buying cheap products in the short-terms will cost you more in repairs down the road.

#5 Picking the Wrong Fabric

Make sure to consult with your dealer on what fabric you need depending on the usage. Task chair fabrics and those used for your reception have different requirements. If you need to know more, have a look at our article on fabric selection.

When it does come to color, try to pick a fairly standard color and pattern. This ensures that when the time comes to buy additional furniture, it won’t be difficult to replicate the same design or match it.

#6 Buying without Testing Products

You’re buying furniture for your office and team, not just yourself. It’s important to ensure you test furniture based on inputs from your team. Keep a checklist ready to make sure you have the right product for your colleagues. Most dealers have samples that they allow you to test out. Don’t hesitate to ask for one.

#7 Not Reading Warranty Documents

We’ve discussed this before in our post on warranty. The same warranty does not apply to all products and does not protect you from any and every damage to your product. Clearly define and understand who is responsible what if something goes wrong.

#8 Not Taking into account Service

Service is what differentiates a good company from a bad one.Your dealer and sales rep should be able to support you throughout the entire process.Most companies and SME’s don’t have full-time facility managers. Make sure they can support you in case something were to go wrong, like your site being delayed. Double-check on their installation procedures, after-sales service etc. If you’re moving into a large space, you’ll need a good project manager to help you with the process.