FF&E Services-Preparing Cost Estimates and Specifications

GET, LLC revisits our discussion on Furniture, Furnishings and Equipment or FF&E-this blog post focuses on effort needed to prepare a cost estimate and specifications for your next project.   

The sage wisdom of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Handbook of Professional Practice asks us to remember that your architect or construction professional must be able to estimate costs to provide the client with figures for a furniture budget. Pricing estimates can be calculated by applying an appropriate discount to current list price information obtained from the manufacturer. More accurate pricing can be obtained directly from manufacturer’s representatives, dealers, like GET, LLC.

To make budget estimates as accurate as possible, the architect must consider applicable taxes, shipping and storage costs, access fees and installation costs.

We must remind you to prepare accurate and clearly written furniture specifications for all types of furniture and furnishings. Specifications for freestanding furniture pieces are the simplest to prepare, and most vendors will assist with the preparation-including our partner Savoy Contract Furniture and teaming partner American Hotel Register. Systems furniture can be specified in general terms, since most systems vendors prepare full and detailed parts lists for individual orders.

There are three types of specifications for furniture and furnishings. Proprietary specifications identify products and materials by manufacturer’s name, model number, or part number. This is a “closed” specification and does not allow for substitution-used by many designers to control aesthetics, function, and quality. Descriptive specifications describe in detail the performance characteristics, materials, finishes, workmanship, and fabrication of a particular product and list several comparable manufacturers. This type of specification is used in an “open” bid situation. Performance specifications describe only the desired or required results and neither prescribe product characteristics nor reference manufacturers.

For more on how GET, LLC through our friends at Savoy Contract Furniture and teaming partner American Hotel Register can assist you with your specific FF&E needs- please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or give us a call at 671-483-0789 to discuss the best solution for your facility.  All the solutions are Made in America!