A school furniture fit-out checklist

Most fit-out problems are scheduling problems, not product problems. This is the order of operations that avoids them.

Before you specify

Measure the rooms, including door widths and lift dimensions if the delivery is not ground floor. Note the floor finish, since it decides castors or glides. Photograph each room. Confirm who signs off and what the approval steps are, because that is usually the longest lead time in the whole project.

While specifying

Check whether the tender or your procurement policy requires AFRDI or GECA certification. Decide where height-adjustable furniture is genuinely needed rather than applying it everywhere. Agree the finishes across the school so future orders match, and write the finish codes down.

Lead times

Australian-made ranges generally have shorter lead times than imported ones. Fabric and finish choices can extend a lead time considerably, so confirm the selection early. If the work has to land in a term break, work backwards from the installation date, not forwards from the order date.

Delivery and installation

Confirm access, parking and whether there is a loading dock or a lift. Nominate one contact on site on the day. Decide in advance what happens to the old furniture, because removal is the step most often forgotten and the one that stalls an install.

After

Keep the finish codes and product names on file. Schools buy furniture in stages, and matching an order placed three years ago is straightforward if the codes were recorded and difficult if they were not.

We can help with any stage of this, including coming to site to measure and specify. Browse education furniture.