Tackling the Challenges of FF&E in Luxury Property
Any property can naturally come with its challenges, residential or commercial and one way to make any hidden challenge less stressful is to have an experienced team to take on the additional stresses for you, saving time and costs. Another way to tackle any challenges is to have some knowledge into what these challenges could be as some are more common than others. Challenges often occur unexpectedly along the way during a project which can cause delay and additional costs. The easiest way to manage this from the outside is to have an FF&E specialist partner managing your project from the outset.
FF&E is underestimated across residential and/or commercial property projects. Having a partnership with an FF&E specialist means your renovation is supported from beginning to end, with strong emphasis on the FF&E element, taking care of many challenges before they arise and ensuring you have a stress-free and successful project.
We will look at the most common issues that crop up across projects that are related to FF&E, and how they can be avoided.
Onsite Coordination
Liaising with the on site team such as the electricians and subcontractors is not for the faint-hearted. The most common problem clients run into is communicating between each supplier to coordinate their desires on site.
Communication is crucial when delegating amongst various suppliers. Without clear and effective communication, important tasks can get missed, and suppliers can remain unaware of an issue until it’s too late to rectify. There should be communication at every step of the way that informs suppliers of any obstacles or challenges at the end of each day. This way, problems can be solved proactively and within the agreed programme. This in itself can be time consuming and often, daunting. One way to avoid dealing with coordination challenges is to have a FF&E procurement specialist managing the coordination of your project.
We recommend having a team of highly trained professionals that can help liaise with suppliers on a range of topics and take control of budgeting, sourcing, specifications, as well as the delivery and installation of furniture, fixtures and equipment. FF&E procurement requires an experienced individual to coordinate projects smoothly and carry out the requirements of the client.
Onsite Changes
Making changes onsite often requires a number of decisions to be made quickly, meaning you will be required to be onsite to liaise with the relevant supplier or contractor. For example, deciding on the choice of fixtures and fittings or whether electrics need to be installed, in what locations and heights. A wall light needs power to be positioned at the correct height on the wall based on where the back plate of the fitting is located. Coordination is important and often decisions need to be made in the moment which can be fast paced. If you leave these decisions too late in the day then you end up re looking at areas and reworking them to suit, which can be costly and timely. There really is no time to waste when it comes to onsite changes and for many, it may not be feasible to be onsite as often as required.
An FF&E procurement specialist can help with any onsite changes and usually plans them before they arise to offer a solution immediately. FF&E designers have many years of commercial and residential renovations experience meaning they often know what to look out for beforehand, saving time and money later on.
If you’re renovating a residential property and want to give the ceiling and wall lights an overhaul you have to ensure the suitable structures are in place, with correct wiring, before they go ahead. For example, if you had your heart set on installing a chandelier in the lounge, but there isn’t adequate structural support in place, an experienced FF&E specialist will be able to identify what needs to be installed to ensure your vision is brought to life.
Logistics
The less fun but arguably most important hidden challenge, the logistics. Choosing your design and products is one thing, but ensuring they arrive on time, in perfect condition is another. Items arriving late, or sometimes even early can cause difficulties with other aspects of the project and so again, timing is key. If products then arrive damaged or incorrect it can lead to further difficulties such as delays and sometimes can then cost you more. Another common logistic difficulty is access checks – what are the access points to the property for items coming through? Is the space large enough? Have these been checked or even considered before items are purchased?
Conclusion
Renovation projects can be demanding and sometimes have unexpected challenges along the way. FF&E services can benefit your project or business by taking the stress out of managing orders and deliveries.
By working with SP3 London, we can provide you with end-to-end procurement services so you can avoid the dangers of mishaps with the delivery and installation of your FF&E. Our team of expert specialists will ensure your items fit the specification, can be installed and that they fit into the building. The team will also keep you updated at each stage on the status of your FF&E and will liaise with the suppliers, sign rod drawings, choose final finishes and provide you with detailed delivery reports, all while ensuring the most competitive prices and shipment rates.
Our specialist service can either be enlisted on specific projects on a project-by-project basis or as a long-term solution. By working with companies like SP3 London, which specialise in interior design, design management and FF&E procurement, you can be guaranteed your project will be a stress-free success.
At SP3 London, we work across all types of projects with project managers, architects, contractors, homeowners and more. The benefits far outweigh the negatives of hiring a specialist. You can relay your vision to an expert who can manage the entire process for you from start to finish and ensure competitive pricing while you sit back, relax and watch your dream come to life.
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