Things to Consider Before Talking with Pew Manufacturers:
It is helpful to be familiar with the expected timeline for your church project, whether you are remodeling or building a brand-new sanctuary. When you begin to contact pew companies, they will advise you when the order will need to be placed for them to be able to meet your deadlines.
When you begin shopping for pews, you will most likely schedule meetings with representatives from various companies. It will save time, deliberation, and possibly frustration if you can appoint one person, or a small, focused committee, to be in charge of all final decisions regarding pews. This will also allow you to get consistent information from each representative so that you can make an accurate, educated decision.
It is a good idea to research a pew company before meeting with their representative. You can review their financial standing and history at www.dnb.com. This will show you how long they have operated, and it will indicate if they are likely to exist for the next fifty years. If you contact the manufacturer, they should be able to provide you with a list of old and new references that you can contact to obtain first-hand information.
If you are building for the extended future, you may have to leave some of the seating to be purchased at a later date as well. An awareness of your budget will avoid getting in over your head at the end of the project, since pews are typically one of the last major purchases. Letting your budget figure select your pew manufacturer, however, will not always prove to be the best deal for the longevity of your church. Your final pew choice should be based primarily on quality and value, not simply on price alone. With most honest manufacturers, you will get what you pay for.