Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Important Questions to Ask When Purchasing School Furnishings

  • 08/01/10
You have a purchase order to be filled — student desks, computer desks, media cabinets, chairs, bookcases, and on and on — by the single item or by the hundreds of units. No matter what method you use to purchase them and from whom, there still is a process to be followed when buying furnishings for the schools in your district. But, there is also some information that is important to have before you finalize those purchases.

Knowing the questions to ask when purchasing furniture for your classrooms is as important as knowing what furniture to buy. The answers you receive can go a long way toward determining the “right fit” of product and supplier for your needs.
  • Will the furniture you are considering buying fit in with the type of classroom environment you are trying to create? Will the furnishings you choose provide you with sufficient flexibility for your curriculum and physical space requirements? Are there add-ons that can expand the furniture’s function and can they be purchased later?
  • What is the durability rating of the furniture you are looking to purchase and under what conditions of use? Will your choice last for a planned period of time? Do those furnishings meet the safety standards for your area?
  • What are the reputations of the manufacturer and authorized distributor? Can you check references?
  • Can you inspect furniture samples before purchasing? What is the return policy?
  • Who services the warranty — the manufacturer or the distributor? Is an extended warranty available and do you need to purchase it? Is the warranty transferable?
  • What after-sale support is available for repairs? Who assumes liability for damages in the case of performance defects?

Featured

  • UTampa Breaks Ground on STEM Academic Facility

    The University of Tampa in Tampa, Fla., recently broke ground on one of its largest academic facilities ever, according to a news release. The Dickey Science Innovation Center will measure 153,000 square feet and has a scheduled completion date of fall 2028.

  • College of the Desert Hits Construction Milestone on New Campus

    College of the Desert recently announced that the construction of its new Palm Springs Campus in Palm Springs, Calif., recently reached a major construction milestone, according to a news release. The college is partnering with general contractor C.W. Driver Companies, which recently “topped out” the facility by placing the final beam in its structure.

  • Utah Valley University Opens New Engineering Building

    Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, recently held a grand-opening ceremony for the new Scott M. Smith Engineering Building, according to a news release. The facility is one of the largest engineering buildings in the state at almost 200,000 square feet, and it plays home to the university’s Smith College of Engineering and Technology (SCET).

  • 144-Year-Old High-School Campus Debuts New Academic Facility

    San Diego High School (SDHS) in San Diego, Calif., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new student services and classroom building; the project is part of a larger SDHS Whole Site Modernization project that began in 2022.