Material sourcing guide

Outdoor and site furnishings procurement guide

Request outdoor and site furnishings as location-specific items, not a single package. For each line, state the product type, dimensions, material finish, quantity and the interface with the prepared base or fixing assembly. Keep furniture separate from groundwork, planting, lighting and utility connections in your enquiry.

A timber-slat bench, dark litter bin and planter in a paved courtyard.
A timber-slat bench, dark litter bin and planter in a paved courtyard.
01 / Materials & uses

Start with the right material groups.

Seating and tables

Group benches, seats, picnic tables and companion chairs by setting-out location. State the number of seating places and the surface finish needed for each zone.

Shelters and shade elements

List canopies, pergolas and shelters with the project-specified mounting arrangement, cover material and structural design references. Ask suppliers to show the scope of the structure, fixings and base connections.

Bollards, bins and barriers

Separate fixed, removable and retractable bollards, litter bins, cycle stands and pedestrian guidance rails. Record each mounting detail. Building-edge guarding belongs to the balustrade and handrail package.

02 / Package boundaries

A material price is only part of the package.

Your material schedule
01Seating and tables
02Shelters and shade elements
03Bollards, bins and barriers

One schedule, clearly separated scopes. This is a request outline, not an installation drawing.

Included materials

Included: freestanding and anchored furniture units such as seats, tables, bins, bollards, shelters, shade elements, cycle stands and guardrails.

Connections & interfaces

Interfaces: prepared bases, anchor bolts, cast-in fixings, ground sleeves and coordinated setting-out positions are identified per item.

Confirm separately

Separately confirmed: groundwork, excavation, concrete bases, transport, offloading, lifting, assembly, installation, surface protection and temporary storage.

03 / A comparable request

Six details that make offers clearer.

Product designation and required size
State the exact product reference or descriptive name, overall dimensions and required seating or containment capacity. Attach the item schedule or setting-out plan revision.
Material and finish
Name the primary material, surface treatment and colour reference. For timber, metal or composite items, state the required finish and any visible fixings.
Mounting condition
State whether the unit is surface-fixed, cast-in, root-fixed, freestanding or removable. Reference the base type at each location.
Accessories and closure items
List lids, liners, locking devices, cover plates, edge trims and removable elements that must appear on the same line.
Setting-out and quantity basis
Quantity per location and total quantity must be visible. Use pieces, pairs, bays or linear metres only where the project schedule does.
Delivery and lifting condition
Confirm unpacking, lifting requirements, pallet or crate format, and the stage when each furnishing group can arrive without obstructing the site.
Illustrative request lines
Item & descriptionQuantity
OF-01Timber-slat bench with backrest for seating area C; length, frame finish and fixing position per setting-out drawing.8 pcs
OF-02Surface-fixed steel cycle stands supplied in pairs; base plate detail and spacing per approved site plan.6 pairs

Example quantities only; no live prices or supplier offers. Use your project schedule for final values and ask suppliers to list deviations.

04 / Compare the whole offer

Three checks before you decide.

Product family and capacity match

Compare the stated product family, overall size and seating or containment capacity against the project requirement before discussing finish.

Fixing and base interface

Check whether anchor bolts, ground sleeves, base plates and cast-in channels are inside the supply line or provided by another package.

Finish and visible hardware

Compare colour, texture, edge condition and visible fixing treatment across submitted alternatives. Ask the supplier to identify any departure from the stated finish.

05 / Practical questions

Details worth clarifying early.

How should anchored and freestanding furniture be separated in an enquiry?

List anchored items with their base condition and fixing accessories, and freestanding items with their footprint and stability requirement. This shows where preparation and assembly differ.

What mounting information do suppliers need for bollards and stands?

State whether each item is surface-fixed, cast-in, removable or retractable, and attach the base or setting-out detail. The supplier can then identify the compatible fixing assembly.

How do I compare submitted furnishing alternatives?

Compare overall dimensions, material finish, capacity, mounting type and included accessories line by line. Do not assume that a lower unit count matches the setting-out requirement.

07 / Your next step

Turn your material schedule into a request.

Create a Matravo account to prepare your request. For account or sourcing-flow questions, visit support.