Designing Buildings - User contributions [en]

Using an Independent FF&E Consultant rather than a Furniture Supplier

2016-03-23T11:52:27Z

Reds10: Created page with "We’d recently discussed the pros and cons of modular vs a traditional build (read the full article here) but the project doesn’t end t..."

We’d recently discussed the pros and cons of modular vs a traditional build (read the full article [[Modular_vs_traditional_construction|here]]) but the project doesn’t end there. Once the selection is made on the most suitable type of construction for the process, you’ll need to make a decision on the best way for the space to be planned and furnished. Here you have two options:

# Using an independent FF&E Consultant to help you plan the space, procure the selected furniture and ultimately fit the space in the most suitable way
# Contracting a furniture supplier or manufacturer directly

As ever, the final choice should be made based on the individual specifications of the space itself, but you should be aware of the benefits and pitfalls for each option. To help you make an informed decision, we have put together this short outline of the differences between the two approaches.

Using a Furniture Supplier or Manufacturer

Although on the surface, it may seem that going directly to a specific furniture supplier or manufacturer will make for an easier process, there are some hindrances that are naturally brought into the process with this decision:

# Vested interest and lack of choice: It is often the case that furniture suppliers or manufacturers have a vested interest in supplying and installing their own products or products of companies from whom they receive commission payments, even if these are not particularly suitable to the given space, making them more difficult to integrate with the space and the architect’s and/or designer’s vision.
# Hidden costs: In this scenario, consultancy fees are often artificially low, as they are subsidised by higher profits made from supplying particular products and often don’t represent the true cost of adequately resourcing the project. What’s more, the single source manufacturers have been known to add an average of 20-40% mark up costs on assets supplied, which can bring the costs of each project up significantly.
# Business risk: Furniture and equipment orders placed with a limited number of suppliers mean there is a higher risk of delays, if those companies suffer production and ordering delays and there is no backup plan for any individual company going out of business during the course of the project.
# Judging value and input: Because of the reasons mentioned above, it is often difficult (if not impossible) to judge the value and/or input of the various companies involved.
# Lack of transparency: Due to the commission-based model that furniture suppliers and manufacturers work on, asking such a company to control the process of design means it becomes virtually impossible to manage a fair, transparent and impartial tender process, where decisions are made based on what is best for the project, rather than any ties to specific product ranges.

Using an Independent FF&E Consultant

Independent FF&E Consultants, have no commercial links to individual manufacturers or ranges are able therefore able to offer an impartial consultancy service, comprising design, specification, project management, cost management, product knowledge, procurement and site supervision. The advantages of using an independent FF&E Consultant therefore include:

# Meeting client visions and ensuring best value: as the FF&E Consultant is not tied to a specific supplier, they are able to draw on their knowledge of the sector and the individual client’s project specifications, whether the space in question is a classroom or a specific commercial space, in order to provide furniture and equipment that best suits the space and the way it will be used and thus meet and exceed the client vision.
# Compliance and conformance to British Standards: being able to draw on a larger pool of suppliers means not only that there is always a larger choice (and back up solution) of equipment used, but also that an FF&E Consultant is able to meet any compliance standards required on the project (this is particularly important on educational spaces, for example) without issue.
# Product selection and procurement strategy: wherever possible, an FF&E Consultant is able to procure the furniture and equipment to be used directly from a manufacturer, rather than involving a dealer or supplier because of their specific knowledge of the sector and current trends and solutions. Therefore, the usual 20-30% dealer margin, which adds cost but not necessarily value, can be eliminated.

As we mentioned above, the final decisions should always be made based on the specifics of an individual project. However, we feel that using an independent FF&E Consultant allows you greater flexibility in the solutions used, allowing them to suit the particular space and its specifications and requirements perfectly, while also reducing the costs incurred through high margin and commission payments, allowing the project to run to a much tighter budget.

[[Category:Theory]] [[Category:Products_/_components]] [[Category:Property_development]] [[Category:Roles_/_services]]

Modular vs traditional construction

2016-03-23T11:47:39Z

Reds10: Created page with "Not the most straightforward of topics and perhaps a little controversial, modular or prefabricated buildings have been in the forefront of the minds of those of us in the constr..."

Not the most straightforward of topics and perhaps a little controversial, modular or prefabricated buildings have been in the forefront of the minds of those of us in the construction industry for some time.

Regardless of your job title, you (like us) would have been privy to the discussion on modular vs traditional construction. You may or may not have been involved in one directly, but you’re sure to have an opinion on the topic. So we wanted to give a quick outline of the all-important differences between the two construction methods, so that the discussions we all have on the topic are well-informed from the start.

What are they?

Traditional Construction

The term ‘traditional’ is often used to describe the types of linear construction, where each individual step is not only constructed entirely (or largely) on site, but also needs to be completed before the project can move on to the next phase.

Modular Construction

An off-site based construction method, during which individual components are manufactured (or ‘prefabricated’) in a factory, transported to the site entirely (or mostly) complete and assembled on location.

The Process

Both construction methods start in the same way – planning, design, permits & approvals, site prep and development. From that point forward, however, the differences begin:

[[File:Modular-vs-Traditional Infographic.png]]

Image source: [http://www.modspace.com/enews/Modular-vs-Traditional_Infographic.png Modscape]

Pros and Cons of Modular Construction

Pros

* Thanks to the ability for the project to run simultaneously on-site and in-factory, modular construction is said to be up to 50% quicker than traditional construction, often times saving four weeks (or more) of construction
* As major parts of construction are handled within a factory, weather conditions are often irrelevant during the majority of the project
* The factory-based manufacturing process allows not only for greater quality control during the manufacturing process but for many health and safety risks to be considerably reduced (if not eliminated) as well
* The process aims to minimise waste and reduce the project’s carbon footprint, thanks to fewer people travelling to the site and modules being produced directly to spec using Computer Aided Manufacturing
* The impact on the community surrounding the construction site can be significantly reduced, thanks to much lower levels of noise and traffic during the project period
* The methods employed in modular construction can often benefit the energy efficiency and airtightness of the final construction

Cons

* Access to the site must be considered from the very beginning, as it will need to allow for the delivery of large modules
* Traditional construction allows for later design changes, while modular construction is unlikely to be able to factor these in, so early complete design sign off is crucial with clients
* The logistics and planning of individual module assembly will need rigorous planning to ensure a smooth project

What’s right for you?

Ultimately, although we feel that modular construction has the upper hand in a large part of the discussion, each project should be considered individually. The method that is selected should match the ultimate desired outcome and the individual limitations of each project on an individual basis.

[[Category:History]] [[Category:Theory]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Property_development]]

File:Modular-vs-Traditional Infographic.png

2016-03-23T11:45:48Z

Reds10: An infographic showing the difference between modular and traditional construction

An infographic showing the difference between modular and traditional construction

User:Reds10

2016-03-23T11:37:39Z

Reds10:

Formed in 2006, Reds10 are a multi-disciplinary construction company, with a proven track record in delivering temporary modular buildings, fit-outs and furniture for the commercial and education sectors.

Thanks to a senior management team, who originate from a professional consultancy background, Reds10 pride themselves on building long-term relationships with clients by making their vision a reality, whether that be when supplying a turn-key modular solution or fitting out a new office space.

In each of the projects delivered in the last nine years, Reds10 have worked closely with end-users, consultants, architects, main contractors and local authorities, helping the client not only plan what it is they need, but also drawn on their highly skilled team to coordinate each project component consistently, making sure that every project is delivered on time, on budget and to specification.

Proactive and responsive, the team’s combined experience makes them best placed to guide and advise you throughout the life of any project and their professional consultancy-led approach is what gives Reds10 the edge over other suppliers.