Without a strong budget for outdoor commercial furniture restoration, your business will waste money on regular furniture replacements that are expensive and could have been avoided. As an outdoor patio furniture restoration and repair company, we know exactly what these pieces need to last longer and save you money. This starts with the following steps:
- Take Inventory of Your Existing Outdoor Patio Furniture
- Understand the True Cost of Replacement
- Know When Patio Furniture Restoration Makes Financial Sense
- Budget for Your Restoration Projects
- Know When to Consider Replacement
- Reduce Costs with Proper Maintenance
Don’t settle for expensive patio furniture replacements every few years. Use the steps in this guide to wisely budget your money to get the most out of your furniture.
Take Inventory of Your Existing Outdoor Patio Furniture
For businesses with multiple outdoor commercial furniture sets, taking inventory can feel daunting. Don’t just make a list of every piece of outdoor patio furniture you own; break them down into manageable categories. For example, split your outdoor furniture up by:
- Identifying high-use items like commercial pool lounge chairs
- Separating cosmetic issues from structural damage
- Documenting age, materials, and previous repairs
While this may take more work initially, it will make it easier to determine which pieces of outdoor commercial furniture need restoration, repairs, or replacement.
Understand the True Cost of Replacement
Running a business is already expensive enough, so why wouldn’t you purchase the least expensive outdoor patio furniture set? Because that furniture likely wasn’t built to last.
High-quality outdoor commercial furniture is made of durable materials, put together by expert craftsmen, and may even come with a weather-resistant coating. These factors make high-quality pieces more expensive, but this purchase can actually be more cost-effective in the long run. Not to mention, a single unusable chair reduces seating capacity, negatively affects guest experiences, and impacts table turnover for patio furniture for restaurants. And this costs you even more money. Instead of dealing with poorly crafted patio furniture that needs replacing every few years, invest in durable furniture sets that will ultimately save you money.
Know When Patio Furniture Restoration Makes Financial Sense
Not every scratch, dent, or chipping paint means it’s time to replace your outdoor commercial furniture. In fact, many of these issues can be fixed with professional patio furniture restoration which is less expensive than replacement. Generally speaking, restoration can fix the following:
- Frames that are faded, scratched, or chipped, but still intact
- Small areas of rust that haven’t damaged the structure of the furniture
- Cracked, sagging, or broken vinyl straps
- Torn or faded mesh slings
Your outdoor commercial furniture will see wear and tear from heavy daily use, but this doesn’t always have to result in expensive replacements. If your outdoor commercial furniture is still structurally sound, it’s typically more cost-effective to restore the piece rather than replace it.
Budget for Your Restoration Projects
Don’t wait until you notice something is wrong with your outdoor patio furniture to start budgeting for repairs. When you review your annual budget, be sure to set aside money for patio furniture restoration. After all, your furniture is going to experience severe weather and heavy use each year. Over time, this wears down your outdoor commercial furniture. When you’re aware of this, you can schedule outdoor patio furniture restoration in advance, instead of reacting to emergencies that disrupt your outdoor space and increase costs.
Depending on how much outdoor commercial furniture you have and how severe the damage is, you may want to consider scheduling restoration services in phases. Restoration can also be scheduled during off seasons so you can keep your patios open and revenue flowing while your furniture is fixed in stages. With these strategies, your guests are never left without outdoor furniture, and you don’t have to stress about getting patio pieces fixed quickly.
Know When to Consider Replacement
Sometimes, outdoor commercial furniture replacement is the better option. This typically means the piece of furniture is too damaged to be adequately repaired. For example, replacement may be needed if your patio furniture has:
- Excessive mold
- Structural damage due to rust
- Bent, cracked, or broken frames
- Creaky or wobbly structure
- An outdated look that no longer matches your space
You don’t have to fix all your pieces at once, just like with outdoor commercial furniture restoration. Prioritize patio furniture that has become dangerous to use and purchase those new pieces first. Commercial pool lounge chairs and other popular types of seating should also be replaced first as they get the heaviest use.
Reduce Costs with Proper Maintenance
Budgeting for outdoor commercial furniture restoration and replacement is more than setting money aside. It’s about properly caring for your furniture so that it lasts longer and reduces the number of repairs and replacements you have to pay for. So how exactly do you maintain your outdoor patio furniture? By following these steps:
Step 1: Watch for Damage
Unless there’s severe weather or an accident, major damage doesn’t appear on outdoor patio furniture overnight. It typically worsens over time due to heavy use, weather, and regular wear and tear. Perform quick visual checks of your patio furniture at the end of each day and perform weekly structural checks to spot issues early on. Additionally, in-depth inspections should be performed before the start of every season to ensure every piece of furniture is ready for the changing seasons and potential heavy use. If issues are discovered, you can schedule repairs in advance instead of scrambling when the appearance and structure of your pieces start to crumble.
Step 2: Create a Cleaning Schedule
To keep your outdoor commercial furniture looking brand new and strong, it should be cleaned at least four times a year (once at the start of every season). How you clean your outdoor furniture pieces will depend on the materials they are made of and the environment they are in. But generally speaking, you can use a lint-free cloth or soft-bristled brush with a mild detergent, or soap and water, to clean dirt off patio furniture. Stubborn rust, mold, or grime that won’t come off may signal the piece of furniture has neared the end of its life, as these issues can cause structural damage to your pieces. But inspecting and cleaning your furniture regularly reduces the risk of structural damage and early replacements.
Step 3: Properly Store Your Outdoor Patio Furniture
The elements can wreak havoc on your bar and patio furniture, but there isn’t much you can do about that when these pieces are being used. However, if it’s nearing wintertime or severe weather is expected, you can protect your patio furniture from weather damage by storing it somewhere safe. More specifically, store your outdoor commercial furniture indoors or invest in waterproof coverings to prevent outside elements from impacting your pieces. This is especially important for bar and patio furniture exposed to late-night moisture and spills.
Outdoor Commercial Furniture Restoration FAQs
How do I know if my outdoor commercial furniture should be restored or replaced?
If the frames are still strong and safe, restoration is often the best option. Scratches, fading, worn slings, and strap damage can usually be fixed. If the furniture has deep rust, broken frames, or safety issues, replacement is the better choice for outdoor commercial furniture.
Is it cheaper to restore commercial pool lounge chairs or buy new ones?
In most cases, restoring commercial pool lounge chairs costs much less than replacing them. Restoration can fix faded frames, worn straps, and torn slings while extending the life of the furniture by many years.
How often should patio furniture for restaurants be inspected?
Patio furniture for restaurants should be checked daily for visible damage and inspected more closely at least once per season. Frequent use and food spills can speed up wear, so regular inspections help catch problems early.
Why does cheap outdoor furniture cost more over time?
Low quality outdoor commercial furniture wears out faster and often needs to be replaced every few years. Higher quality furniture or restored furniture lasts longer, which saves money over time.
How should I budget for outdoor commercial furniture restoration?
A good rule is to set aside money each year for inspections, repairs, and restoration. Planning ahead allows you to restore furniture in phases instead of paying for emergency replacements.
Can commercial pool lounge chairs be restored in phases?
Yes, many businesses restore commercial pool lounge chairs in phases. This allows the pool area to stay open while part of the furniture is being repaired or refinished.
What signs mean outdoor commercial furniture is no longer safe to use?
Furniture that is wobbly, cracked, bent, or has deep rust should not be used. Safety should always come first, especially for patio furniture for restaurants and pool areas.
How long does restored bar and patio furniture usually last?
When restored properly and maintained well, bar and patio furniture can last many more years. Regular cleaning and storage help extend its lifespan even further.
How often should commercial patio furniture be cleaned?
Outdoor commercial furniture should be cleaned at least four times a year. High-traffic areas like bars, pools, and restaurants may need more frequent cleaning.
How can proper storage reduce furniture replacement costs?
Storing bar and patio furniture indoors or using waterproof covers during harsh weather protects it from damage. This lowers repair costs and extends the life of outdoor commercial furniture.
Budget Smarter and Extend the Life of Your Outdoor Commercial Furniture
Your outdoor commercial furniture gets a lot of use and therefore can experience damage. But when you have a budget and care plan in place, you can prepare for patio furniture restoration and replacement instead of being surprised by it. And when you work with a professional patio furniture restoration and repair expert, you know your pieces will come back stronger and ready to last longer. Request a quote today to breathe new life into your patio furniture and elevate your outdoor spaces.