Ideally, you’d never have to use it. But a hotel furniture warranty is a critical piece to your hospitality design project.
Imagine the horror of returning to the drawing board with zero vendor accountability after your initial investment -- perhaps even several years after receiving the original shipment.
Like failing to control your links in the supply chain, a failure to acquire excellent furniture and insure its life cycle could hit your bottom line and risk future design jobs.
Securing Your Design: Custom Hotel Furniture Warranty
There’s an unwritten agreement between you and the vendor when making a large purchase: An implied warranty. At the point of sale, you expect the product is of a certain condition or quality -- but that legal liability is minimal and uncertain, at best.
For a documented period of time (the industry standard is 5 years), a good contract warranty should cover:
- Defects
- Damaged parts
- Repair
- Replacement
- On-site or factory service
- Freight charges
It likely would not apply for:
- Normal wear and tear
- Damage or defects caused by misuse
- Improper handling
- Damage from unsuitable environmental conditions
- Failure to complete manufacturer-recommended routine maintenance
- Other consequential damages
- Warehousing/storage costs
- Third-party maintenance
Securing Your Project: Custom Hotel Furniture Warranty
Here are some tips to get the most out of the time that your hotel furniture is guaranteed. Time passes quickly, but if you get it right long-term maintenance costs shouldn’t impact other financial decisions.
It’s a legal contract. Per the FTC, it should be available for any major purchase.
1. Read Before You Buy
Avoid signing a deal with the Devil. The last thing you need to hear from your manufacturer/vendor is, “Sorry, but the warranty doesn’t cover that.”
Some warranties:
- Don’t cover certain damages
- Require you to cover a portion of labor costs
- Require you to pay return shipping
Anticipate the unforeseen circumstances that could damage your furniture to find a deal covering your needs. If your original manufacturer/vendor can’t make that happen, find one that can.
2. Follow Instructions
Your hotel furniture will be useless unless it’s put together correctly. You can also risk serious damage.
But instructions should extend beyond installation. For the industry standard 5 years, you and/or the hotel will be responsible for routine maintenance and upkeep.
An experienced commercial furniture vendor will detail a plan to protect your order and avoid future unexpected costs. Keep your copy of the warranty to resolve potential coverage disagreements, just in case.
3. Do Your Homework
You have a powerful tool in the digital age: A world of information at your fingertips.
Research the reputation of your potential hotel furniture manufacturer/vendor. Read online reviews and hospitality design industry publications. Then ask around some more.
Is it well documented that the manufacturer has promised to cover a certain problems in the past, but crafty fine print assumed no liability or responsibility to fix/replace them?
If so:
- Look elsewhere
- Get the most bang for your buck (and that includes assistance from your napkin sketch through installation and beyond.)
Securing Your Legacy: Custom Hotel Furniture Warranty
A warranty is the company’s guarantee it’ll come to the rescue if something goes wrong. It’s also a legal document crafted carefully to assume a fair (or potentially unfair) amount of responsibility.
The best warranties protect both the seller and buyer from undue repairs or replacements. Choose a one-stop-shop manufacturer/vendor that will be your partner throughout and will provide a warranty (and other services) against:
- Defects in materials and workmanship
- Under normal use
- For each piece of furniture for at least 5 years from the date of delivery
