Guide to Handling, Packaging and Transit of Painted Furniture

 
1. Responsibility for Goods After Initial Delivery

Once goods have been delivered and signed for in good condition, responsibility for their handling and transit transfers to the customer.

Please note:

• Claims for damage cannot be accepted for items moved to another vehicle or site after initial receipt of goods.
• This includes any handling, storage, re packing or transportation carried out by third parties or customer arranged vehicles.
• Damage caused during onward transit is considered a customer/transit issue, not a manufacturing or finishing fault.

 
2. Understanding Painted Finishes

Our in house painted furniture uses a high quality water based paint system. As with all painted furniture, careful handling is critical—particularly during transport.

 
3. Why Transit Damage Occurs

The highest risk of damage occurs when products are:

• Re stacked in vans or third party vehicles
• Subjected to vibration, rapid movement, or uneven weight loading
• Packed with inappropriate materials or insufficient separation

Common Causes of Damage

• Pressure: Weight from other cabinets bearing down on painted surfaces
• Friction: Movement between packaging and the painted surface
• Vibration: Prolonged vehicle movement during transit

These factors can:

• Turn a matt paint finish shiny
• Cause visible abrasion marks
• In extreme cases, wear through the paint layer entirely

Even light but sustained pressure can affect the finish.

4. Best Practice When Re Handling or Re Transporting Goods

If you need to double handle or relay an order, we strongly recommend the following:

Packing & Separation

• Never allow painted faces to touch other painted surfaces
• Use soft, non abrasive protective layers between items
• Avoid cardboard in direct contact with painted finishes
• Ensure weight is evenly distributed and never concentrated on edges or face panels

Vehicle Loading

• Transport cabinets upright where possible
• Avoid stacking heavy items directly on top of painted faces
• Secure items to minimise movement during transit

Handling

• Lift rather than slide wherever possible
• Avoid dragging packaging across painted surfaces
   

5. Our Support to Help You Get It Right

While damage caused during customer arranged transit cannot be accepted as a claim, we are committed to supporting our customers and helping avoid issues wherever possible.

We can:

• Provide handling guidance, images, or videos on request
• Highlight key risks to be aware of when re packing or transporting – see Point 4 above
• Share best practice advice to help you protect painted finishes – see Point 4 above

Our goal is not simply to define responsibility, but to help you deliver a finished product you are happy with.

 
6. Final Note

We understand that site logistics can require flexibility, and we will always aim to accommodate reasonable customer needs. However, accepting liability for damage after third party transit is not something we are responsible for.

Correct handling and packing are essential when dealing with painted furniture. Following the guidance in this document will greatly reduce the likelihood of surface damage and rework.