| Six arguments so far in favour of using a specialist | | | | can be combined, much functionally within the project is |
| fitted furniture company, and the seventh? Project | | | | put at risk by not having independent oversight. |
| Management. | | | | There is an old carpenter's adage that says 'measure |
| Sure you expect the installation of your fitted | | | | twice, cut once' and it is a sound principle when applied |
| wardrobes or home office furniture to run smoothly | | | | to making and installing anything custom-made or |
| and be right first time but, in the best of all possible | | | | bespoke. However, the protection provided by this |
| worlds, problems do occur. | | | | practice is far greater when the second measure is |
| A professional bespoke furniture supplier will have a | | | | conducted by a third party. it's far too easy to repeat |
| sophisticated project management system in place | | | | an error when checking you own work. Effectively, an |
| and will employ a team of people, each with an | | | | efficient fitted furniture maker take the measurements |
| allocated role in the process, typically: designer, | | | | four times: the designer on the first visit, the draftsman |
| draftsman, surveyor, production scheduler, bench joiner, | | | | who 'closes the survey' by adding together all the |
| sprayer/finisher, quality controller, delivery driver, installer | | | | designer's measurements and angles: wall, window, |
| fitter and administrator. That's ten individuals, each with | | | | right angle, wall, alcove, right angle, wall, doorway, right |
| a key role to play in ensuring that the process runs | | | | angle, wall, pillar wall and, hopefully arrives back at the |
| smoothly, fits in with your programme and achieves a | | | | same place. If correct, the survey closes, if not a |
| result that meets, and hopefully exceeds, your | | | | miss-measure is suspected. The job is then |
| expectations. | | | | re-measured by the surveyor before manufacture and |
| In today's difficult trading conditions, no supplier can | | | | finally, for the fourth time by the fitter, on-site, before |
| hope to stay competitive without the leanest possible | | | | he begins the installation. |
| infrastructure, and yet, all ten of these key roles must | | | | Management of the project is the key role of the |
| be fulfilled and their functions coordinated or customer | | | | administrator whose job it is to coordinate the |
| satisfaction is put at risk. The independent carpenter | | | | functions of the other nine members of the team, |
| cannot be expected to wear ten hats at once and, | | | | ensuring a smooth process and a delighted customer. |
| although their partner may act as administrator and | | | | That's a lot to ask of even the most talented |
| some functions, such as delivery driver and installer | | | | carpenter. |