In conversation with Nest Contracts
Would you like to find out more about Nest Contracts and what we can offer? We sat down for a chat with Douglas Fawcett, one of Nest Contracts’ Sales Representatives to get the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
What is it you do at Nest Contracts?
I am a B2B Sales Representative here at Nest Contracts. I am here to look after our clients from start to finish, offering everything from initial specification advice and quotes, right through to information about delivery options and providing after-care on your order.
What was your journey into the design industry?
Having studied furniture and product design at Sheffield Hallam University, I had always dreamed of being part of the design industry. Earlier in my career, I managed a furniture showroom in London alongside other sales-based positions within the industry. This experience is what led me to Nest Contracts.
Who is your favourite designer from the Nest Contracts collection and why?
I have to say I’m a huge fan of Thomas Heatherwick, one of the heavyweights of British design. I see him as the DaVinci of our time, due to the variety of great work he has produced across industries – including architecture, urban design, art, and furniture. If you’re not familiar with his work, rolling bridge is a sight to see in London’s Grand Union Canal and as for furniture I love the Magis Spun Chair. A unique, rotating design – it’s a playful, vibrant chair like nothing else on the market.
As for a designer who features specifically within the Nest collection, I’d have to say Nendo – his work has developed into such an intuitive studio that produces clever forms with a human-centric approach. I especially enjoy the NJP range in collaboration with Louis Poulsen, a functional lighting collection with the ability to move six axis planes to provide the perfect lighting for any location. Thanks to its fine detailing, I think it’s a new classic of the modern design era.
Where are Nest Contracts based?
We are based in Sheffield in the UK, but we pride ourselves on our knowledge and experience of shipping goods worldwide. As a company, we have a very strong global presence, working with designers in many countries. Our logistics, customer services and sales teams are all very experienced in working with international orders, so if you are working on an overseas project and would like some guidance, we would love to help.
Saying that we love being based in the north of England – the reputation of Northerners being friendly is so true! When you shop with us, you’ll be sure to get a friendly Northern welcome.
Can I see your products in person before I place an order? Do you have a showroom?
We certainly do have a showroom! We’re located in the iconic Park Hill in Sheffield. At the heart of Europe’s largest Grade II listed development, The Scottish Queen is a landmark building which once housed one of the four original on-site pubs. We can’t wait to see you here.
If you’d like to view a product in person that’s not currently in our showroom - we have great relationships with our brands, many of whom have dedicated showrooms in London, and we are always very happy to help you arrange a visit.
How do I request a quote?
There are a couple of ways you can obtain a quote from Nest Contracts. If you’re using our website, simply add your desired products to your basket and you will be shown the total price ex-VAT. Alternatively, reach out to our team via email, over the phone on 0114 243 3000 or by using LiveChat for a bespoke quote for your project.
I have a tight deadline and I need products quickly. What would you suggest? Do you hold items in stock?
We have a large selection of products that are in stock, and which can be viewed easily through our website. If you’re short on time, our team would be more than happy to specify suitable products for you. With years of experience within the industry, our Contracts Team have the knowledge to recommend products and brands that can facilitate a quick turnaround. You can contact me directly over email, over the phone on 0114 243 3000 or via Live Chat.
I would like a selection of product types from several brands. Is this something you can do? Can you source products that are not available on the Nest Contracts portal?
With a choice of over 20,000 products from over 100 brands, Nest Contracts is your one-stop shop for all things design. We always consolidate your orders so it’s easy to shop across brands and will provide you with one quote and one invoice, regardless of how many brands you’ve ordered from.
Although we have a wide range of choices online, our website still only shows a portion of what we can supply. Many of our brands provide options for customisation, especially with regards to upholstery or painted, coloured finishes. Contact our team, provide us with details of your request and we can get back to you with a quote. Many of our brands offer COM or COL upholstery (subject to suitability testing), and some will even work on complete customisation for trade customers.
My project has a range of completion dates. Do you offer phased delivery and how would this work?
As standard, we will usually delay the despatch of your order until all items have arrived with us and passed quality control. However, if you would prefer a phrased delivery to suit the timeline of your project, we are very happy to consider splitting orders for separate deliveries where required. Simply contact our team to see what we can do for you.
Why should I choose Nest Contracts? How are you different to other furniture procurement services?
We’re proud to be an independent business, and our small team all genuinely love what we do, and what we sell. You can be sure that when you speak to our Contracts Team, you’ll receive a personal, friendly, and honest service. Thanks to years of industry experience and long-standing relationships with our suppliers, our team can provide you with direct access to the world’s best brands, guaranteeing the best possible lead times - whatever the size of your project. We hope that persuades you to choose Nest Contracts!
Have you got another question you’d like to put to our team? Get in touch with Nest Contracts via email, call us on 0114 243 3000 or over message us via Live Chat.