Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

How To Choose A School Furniture Supplier

  • By Angela Webb
  • 07/01/18

Buying school furniture is no longer as simple as opening a catalog and making a phone call. There are ever-evolving product options, co-ops and contracts to shop through, bids to offer, and an Internet full of suppliers to choose from. This is why it’s worth the time to choose the best supplier for your needs. Here are some pointers to help you get started.

Establish a vision for your space, and make sure your supplier understands it. This will make the process easier for both of you, and you are more likely to be satisfied with the result. Your company should be able to help you plan your space. Can they help you design a layout, choose products that work, and offer CAD drawings to show you what it will look like? It’s also crucial that your supplier be able to offer multiple quotes throughout the process for different tiers of layouts.

For you to make the best choices for your furniture, your supplier will need to have plenty of options—products that meet standards, a wide range of price points, and reliable inventory. Do they offer purchasing programs like co-ops and contracts? This will save you time and money.

Your supplier’s job is not finished when the purchase has been made. The company you choose should see the project through to completion. This includes delivery and installation. Their work is not over until your space is usable.

A good supplier will not just sell you furniture—they will guide you through the entire purchasing process, from research and pricing to delivery and installation. In some ways, choosing a supplier can be the most important part of your purchase; find a good one, and it can feel like they are doing the work for you, culminating in a learning environment you love.

This article originally appeared in the School Planning & Management July/August 2018 issue of Spaces4Learning.

About the Author

Angela Webb is director of Sales at School Outfitters. She can be reached at 866/619-5311 or [email protected].

Featured

  • UPenn Announces Completion of New Veterinary Education Facility

    The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Penn., recently finished construction on an 11,800-square-foot veterinary education building, according to a news release. The Gail P. Riepe Center for Advanced Veterinary Education is the first dedicated classroom facility at the New Bolton Center, a large-animal hospital and campus about 35 miles west of the campus proper.

  • Montclair State University Starts Construction on $120M STEM Building

    Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J., recently broke ground on a new $120-million Interdisciplinary Science Building, according to university news. The university partnered with HoK Architects for the project’s design, and it’s scheduled to open in time for the 2028–29 academic year.

  • Montclair State University Debuts New VR Facility

    Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J., recently announced the completion of a new virtual reality learning facility developed in partnership with Dreamscape Learn, according to a news release. The 2,450-square-foot lab space is inside the College of Communication and Media building and will serve students pursuing careers in digital media, virtual reality, and content creation.

  • Tomball ISD Opens New Tomball West High School

    Tomball Independent School District in Tomball, Texas, recently celebrated the official opening of Tomball West High School, the district's third comprehensive high school, with a community ribbon-cutting ceremony, according to a district news release.