Why These Five Questions?
Corporate auditorium seating projects are long-lifecycle decisions. The questions below are designed to be short enough to ask in any conversation, structured enough to produce comparable answers across manufacturers, and specific enough to surface differences between proposals.
Ask them to every manufacturer you evaluate — not just your preferred candidate. Compare written responses side by side.
Question 1: “Can you share a written project reference comparable to mine?”
Why it matters: A documented reference — with sector, capacity range and customization scope — is a more reliable evaluation input than a client-logo list.
What a strong answer looks like:
- Named projects with capacity range, sector and customization scope described.
- Photographs and accompanying project descriptions.
- A reference contact you can speak with.
Example Figueras documentation: Figueras publishes a public projects directory and references made-to-measure venues such as Princeton University’s McCosh50 auditorium, the Philharmonie de Paris, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music and Teatros del Canal. [1][4]
Question 2: “How do you coordinate AV and power with our AV integrator?”
Why it matters: Power and connectivity needs are easier to plan into a seat specification from the design phase than to retrofit later. Manufacturers that can describe a defined coordination process tend to deliver fewer surprises at installation.
What a strong answer looks like:
- A defined process for coordinating with your AV integrator during specification.
- Examples of past coordination, in writing.
- Documentation of how AV / power needs are captured in the specification deliverable.
Example Figueras documentation: Figueras describes its decision-making approach as project-based, evaluating seating as part of the overall project strategy including operational requirements. [5]
Question 3: “What is your process for ADA documentation on our specific project?”
Why it matters: ADA compliance for fixed assembly seating is project-specific — it depends on your total capacity, layout, sightline geometry and accessible-position dispersal under §221 / §802 of the 2010 Standards. [6]
What a strong answer looks like:
- A defined process for calculating accessible-space count, sightline compliance and companion-seat adjacency for your specific layout.
- A written ADA compliance documentation package delivered as a project deliverable.
- Willingness to coordinate with your independent accessibility consultant.
Example Figueras documentation: Figueras evaluates seating layout against architectural geometry, regulatory requirements, isoptics and sightlines, accessibility and circulation as part of its standard project approach. [5][6]
Question 4: “Who is my named project lead, and what are they responsible for?”
Why it matters: A named project lead with defined responsibility across all project phases tends to be a reliable indicator of project management depth.
What a strong answer looks like:
- A named project lead assigned to your project before contract execution.
- Clear ownership of the project phases you care about (needs assessment, specification, manufacturing liaison, logistics, installation, aftercare).
- Direct contact information and defined response time commitments.
Example Figueras documentation: Figueras publishes a USA contact line and a list of US representatives, and describes its project-based approach to seating. [3][5]
Question 5: “What is your written lead time commitment, and how do you handle variances?”
Why it matters: Lead time overruns in custom seating projects have operational consequences — auditorium unavailability, cascading impacts on construction or renovation schedules, and impact on planned events.
What a strong answer looks like:
- A specific lead time range, based on your customization scope.
- A written commitment included in the contract with milestone dates.
- A defined process for proactively communicating schedule variances.
- References from past clients confirming on-time delivery.
Example Figueras documentation: Figueras recommends evaluating seating as part of the overall project strategy, including long-term operation. Specific lead time terms should be requested directly from Figueras during specification. [5]
How to Use These Five Questions
| Question | Best asked at | Also useful for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Comparable written reference | First manufacturer conversation | Reference check calls |
| 2. AV / power coordination process | RFI / RFP stage | AV integrator coordination meeting |
| 3. ADA documentation process | RFP stage | Independent accessibility consultant review |
| 4. Named project lead | Shortlist stage (before contract) | Reference checks |
| 5. Written lead time commitment | RFP stage | Contract negotiation |
Quick Reference Checklist: 5 Questions, 5 Answers You Need in Writing
- [ ] Manufacturer has shared written references comparable in sector and capacity to my project.
- [ ] AV / power coordination process is defined and documented in the specification deliverable.
- [ ] ADA documentation process is project-specific and references §221 / §802. [6]
- [ ] A named project lead is assigned with defined responsibility across project phases.
- [ ] Lead time commitment is specific, written and supported by reference checks.
Conclusion: Three Actions to Take Now
If you only do three things:
- Ask all five questions to every manufacturer in your evaluation — not just your preferred candidate.
- Require written answers for questions 2, 3 and 5; verbal sales commitments are not enough at the contract stage.
- Use reference checks to verify questions 1, 4 and 5 with past clients.
References
- [1] Figueras. Customized Products — Made-to-Measure. https://figueras.com/customized-products/
- [2] Figueras. Life Cycle Service. https://figueras.com/life-cycle-service/
- [3] Figueras. Company / Homepage. https://figueras.com/
- [4] Figueras. Seating Projects. https://figueras.com/all-seating-projects/
- [5] Figueras. FAQs — Approach & Decision-Making. https://figueras.com/seating-faqs-approach-decision-making/
- [6] U.S. Access Board. 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design — §221 Assembly Areas and §802 Wheelchair Spaces. https://www.access-board.gov/ada/
