Re-configuring…wait…

So today, Sunday at 9 am, we showed up on a work site in Canton, MI with a “designers” plan for the re-install of 14 workstations after new carpet was installed yesterday, using the clients owned furniture! Should have been easy, we had a new layout, the client’s furniture was in a storage area… however…

The client had a different vision from what had been proposed, even after my team had received an approved print. Anyhow, I supplied the client with myself, my project manager and two installers, leaving the dealers two workers to be laborers or runners. We left the job-site at 3 pm and took a 3/4 hour lunch, with making last minute additions to their layout!

Bottom line: 14 workstations after changes and waiting for product COMPLETED in 5 hours and 15 minutes with 4 installers and 2 laborers.

I know, short blog today without pics (my laptop won’t recognize my phone when I upload, disappointing). However, I feel as though I have gained trust with our new dealer and look forward to MANY jobs in the future. Thanks for reading!

Kind Regards,

Sky

‘RTA’ furniture… Ready to Assemble

 

So today we entered the great world of RTA (ready to assemble) furniture, we had two L shape configurations and three double pedestal desks all with stack on hutches. As you can see by the photos, after the product is properly installed it looks fantastic and functions like per-assembled desk units.

Although cost efficient for the consumer at the initial purchase they tend to forget about the labor needed to properly assemble the product. The product comes in flat boxes and most people cannot carry or handle them by their selves, then there are the “vague instructions”. Manufacturers use sneaky abbreviations like “RTA or KD” when they catalog the items and if the dealership purchased from does not ask about an install then the sales person you are dealing with doesn’t know much about the different manufacturers they are representing.

Please don’t get me wrong, I have no personal quarrels about “ready to assemble” furniture. In fact, we are trained professionals for these type of installations. I am just trying to alleviate some additional stress from the client that:1) has no idea the furniture needs assembled FULLY 2) sometimes the price looks great, but you are just buying the furniture 3) Business owners have much more important issues than either assembling them selves or paying hourly staff to properly assemble the furniture.

We arrived on the job site this morning at 9:15 am, after the unload and stage, we assembled and placed two L shape units and three double pedestal desks with hutches, loaded all the trash from the product packaging and finally vacuumed the clients floors to the offices. I had a crew of five (5) installers onsite. We left the job site at 12:30 pm. It took my crew 3 hours and 15 minutes to have five separate work stations complete ready for the client to use.

So I guess my point today: Just because is has a good price tag,  beware of the additional costs like delivery and installation, and if it is RTA furniture please have professionals assemble and install it for you. As a business owner or decision maker it is well worth the cost.

Have a great weekend!!

Sky Marshall

Speed Networking

I had an invite to join a Speed Networking session that our local Chamber of Commerce had put on earlier today! Although hesitant, I decided to go not knowing how or if Marshall’s could help any of the businesses that I would be “networking” with. I soon learned that these sessions aren’t about how my business can help another but more on the grounds of, “how can these businesses help Marshall’s grow and become successful”. That being learned even before the speed rounds went into effect.

Needless to say! Wow, I am so thankful for the ‘eye opening’ experience that I was given a chance to be a part of, I cannot wait to go to bigger networking events to have these other small businesses help me grow & hopefully offer a service that they can utilize or pass along!

Short post today, just thought I would share! I chalk February 13, 2013 as a successful prosperous day even though I didn’t receive any jobs, I received a plethora of knowledge on what other businesses offer and how they can help me grow!

Although I was hesitant, I have three very positive leads for Marshall’s in the near future!! Thanks Lucie for the invite. I will be getting my info to Emily with the Chamber!

Thanks for reading, have a wonderful weekend!

Sometimes… patience is best!

So, today we started with a very positive attitude as we watched the so called ‘storm’ dump snow on us! Our early morning install punch list wrap up went exceptional, then after arriving for our second install for a work area with overhead storage it was determined that their custom 8′ x 3′ x 2′ 6″ custom painted base cabinet was NOT going to fit in their elevator so I had a discussion with the client that I would rather have more of my installers there to stair carry the item…

Finally the client agreed that I could mount the overhead storage today and we would install the base cabinet on Monday after I had enough qualified bodies to accomplish the stair carry task. Where the new furniture was being installed had cement block walls so even before we started the install I had stressed to the client that between cutting my wall track with the Port-a-Band and using the Hammer-drill to mount the wall track that it was going to be extremely noisy, I was told, “They will have to deal with it.” So…

After cutting my wall track to length, I measured and marked my first piece of wall track then DRILLED… After drilling the first hole, I was told that we would have to reschedule because the noise was too much!!

The install location: A BANK’S CALL CENTER… The LESSON: Excitement and Enthusiasm is well respected however, please take the time to absorb the information that has been given to you by the professionals that do their job along with considering the ‘project’ with a convenient schedule time.

We will be returning on Monday @ 5:30 (after the bank is closed) to finish the install. Thanks for reading!

Sky Marshall

Just thoughts…

I apologize to my normal followers: This Blog Post vents for a minute and again bring me back to how I was raised and my business ethics.

As I sit here and try to absorb the information that I have received over the last 24 hours, I am a small business owner and realize that I am only held back by my own fear and trust in individuals that believe in me and my service(s), that being said…

Until earlier this afternoon, I was completely frustrated with an individual that, since Oct of last year, I have tried to help make their business prosper with a place to work, business knowledge, access to my building. I regret to report that I have been only taken for granted. However…

Tomorrow is a new day! As my dad always told me, ” Good riddance to rubbish”! I cannot, nor tolerate disrespect from anyone that I cross paths with, NOR will I ever disrespect anyone because of my social, economic or financial status.

Those who understand my message, Thanks! For my followers, I will be posting more furniture installation  and progress reports now that this situation has been resolved!!! Stay posted, thanks for reading!!!

Reconstructing our building

Today I spent time demolishing interior walls at our W Euclid facility in the attempt to have a street front showroom for the growth that we are anticipating moving forward. This was actually an easy process because the walls were placed after the original buildings floor plan were completed.

Basically, it was as simple as knocking down the paneling followed by the unfinished drywall and then disassembling the stud structures. Next step patch & paint followed by new flooring and Marshall’s will have a store front showroom that will open to the public this spring!

We opened up at least an additional  500 sq ft of future display capacity that we lacked last year. Our products expansion will be specializing in affordable quality home office furniture solely produced in the USA, something I personally have thought Jackson has lacked for quite a long time.

Re-purposing quality pre-owned furniture

Today we had the opportunity to help a company that was moving in Ann Arbor and had purchased quality previously owned furniture from another business. Their problem arose when the product was delivered shrink wrapped and not assembled.

Marshall’s was called for assistance with the reassembly of two U shape private offices, our knowledge of furniture made this a painless process for the end user because we were able to walk in, access the situation and complete the project efficiently so the client could tend to other issues that arise when the moving process is in full swing!

I guess my point is: It doesn’t matter how small someone may think a project is… Marshall’s can be there to assist you with it, regardless of size!

GM Dealership install

This week we installed new furniture for a local GM Dealership, the furniture was Hon Voi laminate freestanding desk units with Hon Initiate panels on the showroom floor. For the private offices we installed Hon Voi freestanding desk units and one National Waveworks freestanding desk for the Dealer principle. They also chose Hon Ignition task seating and Ceres guest seating, and finally the new customer lounge was completed with Hon Perpetual lounge seating.
We started the install on Monday morning were completed by 4pm. The install included 6 showroom sales person desk units, 4 private offices, customer lounge and lunchroom.

Customer lounge Hon Perpetual seating

About Marshall’s Installation

Davis booths, GRC tables and bases with LeLand seating

We are a professional contract office furniture installation company specializing in new furniture installs, office relocation’s, reconfigures and product storage. We also offer IT and electrical services with over 30 years combined experience within the furniture industry. We have a 9,400 sq ft secured warehouse with video surveillance and security fencing. We offer excellent quality used products from time to time which may be viewed on our website.