Frequently Asked Questions
What is FF&E?
FF&E stands for Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment [ some people say FF&A instead - meaning (furniture, fixtures & accessories). FF&E are movable assets that can be purchased, placed in service, and used in a building, an office, or other space to perform the functions assigned to the ff&e . FF&E also includes assets that are not self-supporting and can be attached or mounted on walls or ceilings. This may include lighting, curtains, office desks, and accessories within the interior space.
At Art Code, the journey begins with the FF&E Designers we assign to your project, but it doesn't stop after the items designs are chosen. Following the approval and scheduling of all products, the Designers pass the project on to the Procurement Team which takes care of negotiation, sourcing, and delivery of the items.
From where do you source goods?
Our global network of suppliers is spread throughout the Americas, Asia, Middle East and Europe. All regions and suppliers present unique advantages and disadvantages. By evaluating each option against your project goals, we provide you with the right suppliers to meet your needs. With regards to supplier selection, Art Code does not favor any particular vendor, supplier, or manufacturer. To ensure we meet both budget and schedule requirements, we prefer procuring furniture, fixtures, and equipment from suppliers whose capabilities are tightly aligned with the specifications.
FF&E Value Engineering: what is it?
As it relates to hospitality FF&E, Value Engineering is a system of designing and building furniture which reduces the price of goods by using more cost-effective materials or simplifying the design to reduce manufacturing costs.
What is the difference between sourcing, procurement, and purchasing?
Purchasing is only a part of Procurement. Although the terms are used interchangeably, they have different meanings. Purchasing refers to the act of buying and selling goods or services. Purchasing is simply about receiving and making payments.
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Procurement is focused on the entire process of getting goods and services. Procurement is primarily focused on finding and agreeing terms with suppliers, selecting appropriate suppliers/vendors, negotiating contracts, and issuing purchase orders for the acquisition of materials or services that are needed to successfully deliver a project.
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Sourcing is a multi-step process of research, prototype development, appraisal, budget allocation, and logistics planning. In-fact, FF&E procurement is highly dependant on effective sourcing of competent, reliable and industry leading suppliers.
What does your FF&E procurement process look like?
FF&E procurement starts when client needs are identified and ends with exclusive furniture placed in the designated location, creating exquisite living spaces. The FF&E procurement process includes soliciting bids from manufacturers, negotiating prices, placing orders, arranging for delivery, inspecting items to ensure they meet specifications, and ensuring products are delivered and installed according to client requests.
At what stage does Art Code get involved in projects?
Our services are often hired either prior to or simultaneously with those of the interior design team. The team usually coordinates with the assigned design team when setting schedules, estimating delivery dates, and gathering quotations for budgeting and logistics.