How much does furniture inspection cost
A practical guide to how much does furniture inspection cost: what to check on site, what a photograph cannot establish, and what to write in your purchase specification.
Inspection pricing in this industry is opaque to buyers for a structural reason: most providers will not publish a number. That opacity is worth understanding before you compare quotes.
Why prices are hard to find
A quote depends on how far the factory is, how long the visit takes, what level of checking is required, and how many people are needed. Providers find it easier to ask for the order details and quote privately than to publish a rate card.
What to look for instead
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is the travel cost included? | "Per man-day" sometimes excludes travel. A factory four hours away is not a man-day. |
| Is there a holiday surcharge? | Common. Often a fixed amount per person per day. |
| Is there an overtime rate? | Evening work is often billed separately. |
| Is the report fee included? | Some providers charge for the report separately from the day. |
| What happens after a failure? | Re-inspection and refunds vary. Some are in writing, some are not. |
What a published price implies
Publishing a rate card means accepting that buyers will compare it against others. published prices lists three levels at published prices with what differs between them stated item by item, which is the only way a buyer can tell whether a cheaper offer is cheaper or simply thinner.
Where the money actually goes
Labour for the visit, travel, equipment, and the time to write a defensible report. The equipment is not trivial: calibrated weights, a moisture meter, an illuminance meter, grey scale cards, and a camera that produces measurable photographs.
A rate that seems too low usually means one of those is missing.
Common questions
Do laboratory reports replace on-site inspection?
No. They answer different questions. A laboratory report tells you whether a product meets a standard. An inspection tells you whether these goods match what you ordered.
What should my purchase specification contain?
Model and quantity, dimensions with tolerance, materials named rather than described generically, colour standard with a grey scale value, and any standard the goods must meet.
How early should verification happen before shipment?
After production is substantially complete but before the container is sealed. Earlier and there is nothing to inspect; later and the remedy is to unload in China rather than in your own country.
Verifying a furniture order?
We check your goods at the factory against your PI, your agreed specification and your approved sample. Three levels, published prices, report within 24 hours.