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Your guide to the completion
of a successful project
Choose a member of the AMUSF to undertake your
project - All members are assessed prior to joining and
regularly reassessed to maintain standards.
By choosing
a member you will have the benefit of years of experience
to guide you through the decision making process.
Your
member will make available to you a huge choice of
covering materials sourced from top suppliers from all
over the world but if by some chance you require a branded
product not available in our member's range, he will almost
certainly be able to source your choice via the Association's
fabric purchasing scheme.
You will have access to dozens
of fabric pattern books displaying hundreds of designs
and thousands of colours - The choice will be yours but
the contractor will assist you in reaching a conclusion,
if you need help - To assist you:
Bear in mind that the
small piece of cloth you view in the pattern book will
look completely different in a large expanse and that
colour which looked so rich and colourful in the sample
book may well be overpowering in your lounge.
Colour
matching - Please remember that pattern books are representative
only of the colour and design and whereas every care
is taken by fabric suppliers to maintain consistency,
variations do occur from time to time. If colour match
is important, you should request a stock cutting before
proceeding and ask the contractor to supply a further cutting
from your chosen cloth before use, minimising the risk
of dissatisfaction.
Customer's own material - Most contractors
will be pleased to use a Customer's Own Material but
please bear in mind the following:
If you supply your
own cloth, any failure in its performance will be a matter
for you to deal with and no responsibility will be
accepted by the contractor.
You may pay a premium for the
use of your own cover so any potential saving may not
prove significant.
If you run short of material you will
be required to source additional stock.
You should ensure
the cloth meets the relevant British Standard in relation
to the Furniture & Furnishings
(Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. Whereas there is no requirement
on the contractor to check when using a Customer's Own
Material, most will insist the fabric is treated or used
with an appropriate Interliner. The Regulations are currently
under review and proposed changes may make the use of compliant
material a requirement.
Contracts - Always get a written
estimate or contract detailing the
exact nature of the work and in particular:
Most consumers
experience problems through lack of communication and
unclear contracts, it is therefore important to make your
requirements clear to the contractor before proceeding.
Specify your choice of fabric, design and colour and don't
forget to request a stock cutting if required.
Delivery
dates - Make the contractor aware of any preferred
delivery dates and ensure these are noted on the contract.
Please bear in mind that the furnishing business
is seasonal and quality contractors will, at holiday times
for example Christmas, be heavily booked for months in
advance.
'Re-upholstery or Recovery'. Are you clear about
what you are ordering. For example, do you expect the
furniture to be completely stripped and all the fillings
replaced. Make this clear on the contract.
What about
cushions and fillings - Have you seen samples? Do you
know what to expect? Will it be too hard or too soft? Ask
your contractor - He will advise and if necessary show
you samples.
Payment - Most contractors will expect a deposit,
usually one third of the total. The balance should
be paid on delivery.
Complaints - If you are not happy
- SAY SO.
Why do prices vary so much?
The most common
reason for variations in pricing is a failure to compare
like for like. If you do seek more than one estimate,
ensure that when comparing prices you consider the following:
Are both contractors quoting to re-upholsterer
(Stripping out completely and replacing fillings?) or
does one quote differ by offering less?
Is the replacement
cover the same?
What about VAT, is it included in both
prices?
These and other factors need to be considered
if you are to avoid problems. Always rely on a member
of the AMUSF. By using a member of a bona-fide Association,
like the AMUSF you will be making your first and
most important decision. If you have any further questions
you should ask you chosen contractor and don't forget
the key to a successful project is good communication.
The Association of Master Upholsterers & Soft Furnishers
102a Commercial Street
NEWPORT
South Wales
NP20 1LU
E-mail amu@easynet.co.uk
Web www.upholsterers.co.uk
Tel 01633 215454
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