How to Choose a Furniture Supplier for a Restaurant, Cafe or Hotel: 12 Questions Before You Order

Choose a restaurant furniture supplier by facts you can verify: what the construction is made of, the lead times and warranty, whether you can see samples and real projects, and which documents you will receive. These 12 questions help you compare offers on equal terms rather than on bold promises.

Materials and Construction

1. What is the frame made of? For commercial furniture look for solid beech or ash, or a steel frame with adequate wall thickness, not MDF. 2. How are the parts joined? Welded and bolted joints outlast glued ones, which loosen under side load. 3. What is the upholstery and how is it documented? Ask for the fabric composition and the Martindale abrasion rating, and check that it tolerates sanitiser.

Lead Times and Delivery

4. What is in stock and how fast does it ship? At SANDALUCI, in-stock items in Almaty ship within 7-10 working days, and within 10-14 days to other cities in Kazakhstan. 5. What is the made-to-order lead time and who is responsible for delays? Ours is 30-45 days; put lead times and responsibility in the contract. 6. Does the supplier deliver across Kazakhstan and handle customs for imported furniture?

Warranty and Documents

7. What does the warranty cover and for how long? SANDALUCI gives a 1-year warranty on its products; the terms are described on the Warranty page. 8. Which documents will you receive? A contract and closing documents are the minimum. 9. Who resolves a warranty case, and how: a technician visit or a return to a service centre?

Checking Before You Order

10. Can you see samples? Fabric and model samples in the Almaty showroom (Zhangeldin St. 193g) let you judge the material in person. 11. Where is the furniture already working? Ask for addresses where the model has been in use for years; SANDALUCI projects are listed on the Projects page. 12. Are custom sizes and upholstery to a designer's drawings possible? For non-standard rooms this often decides the outcome.

How to Compare Offers

Ask for a calculation on the same floor plan and specification: identical models, upholstery, quantities and lead times. Otherwise there is nothing to compare. Do not simply pick the lowest line; compare completeness, documents, warranty and timing. SANDALUCI prepares a calculation from a floor plan within 24 hours.