New seating can give your church a completely different look and feel. Even if you are not looking to make seating changes, it is important to periodically evaluate your seating needs. If you are in the market for new church seating, listed below are ten questions that will help you make the right purchasing decision.
1. What are the seating needs of your church and congregation?
Do not begin your search for new seating until you have answered this question! There are many factors that will affect your purchasing decision. Do you need fixed seating or movable seating? Does your church have a traditional or contemporary feel? What are your space requirements and limitations? The answers to these questions and others will help you determine what style of seating your church needs.
2. Are there reviews available for the product or company?
New seating represents a significant investment of your church’s financial resources, so it is important to be sure that you are buying a good product from a reputable company. A great source of information about the company you are purchasing chairs from is their previous customers. Ask for references and call them. Ask the reference if they had any problems and how the problems were handled. As far as the product is concerned, read any reviews that are available.
3. Is the product fully assembled?
Chairs that require light assembly are generally less expensive and have less quality than fully-assembled products. Also, assembling a large number of chairs can be very time-consuming, and the chairs can easily be damaged if not assembled correctly. This information may not be easy to find on the company’s website. Do not hesitate to call the company and ask specific questions.
4. How are the chairs constructed?
Not all church chairs on the market today are well-made, quality products. There are some materials that are better than others for church chair construction. Chair backs are usually available in plywood or plastic. Chairs with particleboard cores should be avoided. Plywood is preferred for its strength, and it supports a T-nut and bolt assembly, making it easy to replace a seat or back. Look for a strong steel frame with multiple bracing, sturdy weld joints, and quality fabric. Avoid low-cost fabrics which are not particularly durable or stain resistant. Some fabrics are more durable and easier to clean than others. Polyolefin, for example, is very durable and generally considered to be stain proof.
5. Do the chairs meet local fire codes?
To meet most local fire codes the fabric and foam in your chairs must meet CAL 117 Technical Bulletin fire codes. Also, if the chairs are used in rows, they must have interlocks so they can be ganged together. (Be sure to check local fire codes before ordering chairs.)
6. Can you get a sample?
If you are considering a large purchase, many companies will be willing to send you a sample. If you get samples from multiple companies, you can test them out to compare comfort and durability. Have several people try each chair. Opinions will most likely vary on which chair sits the best, but choose a chair from a reputable company that is well made.
7. Are there any hidden or extra costs?
Make sure to consider any accessories you will need when calculating the total cost of your new seating. Many accessories are available for church chairs such as card pockets or bookracks. Once you determine the number of chairs needed and the accessories get a detailed quote on the product that includes shipping costs.
8. What is included in the warranty?
Find out the full details of the warranty before you make a commitment especially the exceptions to the warranty. If you do not read the fine print, you may be disappointed later on to find that the warranty did not cover as much as you thought it did. Make sure that warranty information is stored in an accessible location within the church.
9. What if we need more chairs in the future?
Some companies change suppliers, and it may be difficult to get the same style and color match if you need to order more chairs later on. Talk to the company and find out if they will be able to match your products in the future. If possible, try to order all the chairs you think you will need plus 5% to 10% for overflow.
10. When will you receive your chairs?
This will depend on the specifications of your order. Some companies offer a Quick-Ship program where chairs are warehoused in many popular color choices and can be shipped quickly. Companies may also offer customized chairs allowing you to select the design, fabric color, frame finish, and accessories of your choice. Since these chairs are custom made, it will naturally take longer to fill the order than if you purchase in-stock chairs.
Once you have ordered your new church chairs, make sure you are prepared for their arrival. Purchase a specially designed dolly with a wide base plate to facilitate unloading and moving the chairs. Make sure volunteers will be present for the delivery to inspect the packages and move them into the church. If you have selected a chair that requires some assembly, be sure you have enough volunteers and screwdrivers on hand to assemble the chairs. “The true value of a product is more than just its original purchase price.”
