How to Choose a Supplier in Ireland: A Buyer's Checklist

Whether you are building an extension, fitting out a restaurant or buying windows, the supplier you pick affects cost, timing and quality. A few checks before you commit take little time and prevent most of the common problems.

1. Confirm the company is real

Look for a registered company name, an address, a phone number and a VAT number. You can search for registered companies on the website of the Companies Registration Office. A business that is hard to identify is a risk, however good its website looks.

2. Ask for recent, relevant references

Ask for two or three projects similar to yours, ideally in your county or a neighbouring one. Photos help, but a short phone call with a previous customer tells you more about how a supplier deals with problems.

3. Check certifications and standards

Many construction products must carry CE marking and come with a Declaration of Performance. Some products have additional certification, such as an NSAI Agrément certificate. If you plan to claim a grant, for example through SEAI, check whether the installer or product has to be registered with the scheme. Ask for the documents and keep copies.

4. Compare quotes like for like

Give each supplier the same specification and ask what is included and what is not: delivery, installation, removal of old materials, finishing and VAT. A lower price often leaves something out.

5. Ask about lead times and delivery

Find out whether items are in stock or made to order, how long each takes, and what happens if the date slips. For made-to-measure products, ask who is responsible for checking measurements.

6. Understand the warranty and after-sales support

Ask how long the warranty lasts, what it covers and who you contact if something goes wrong. Check that spare parts and servicing will still be available in a few years.

7. Get the terms in writing

Confirm the price, scope, payment schedule, deposit, delivery date and cancellation terms in writing before you pay. Be cautious about large payments in advance, and ask whether the supplier carries public liability insurance.

Red flags to watch for

• Pressure to pay a large deposit before anything is agreed in writing

• No written quote, or a quote that changes after you accept it

• Vague answers when you ask about certification, insurance or warranty

• No address, company details or contact number you can check

• Reviews that all appear on the same few days, or that read as if one person wrote them

Where to start looking

Archizone lists Irish suppliers across construction, furniture, outdoor living, hospitality and sustainability. Browse the directory by category, or search by company name or county. Each profile shows what the company offers, where it is based and how to contact it, and you deal with the supplier directly because Archizone does not take a cut. Our team reviews listings to keep the directory relevant, but a listing is not an endorsement, so the checks above still apply.

Business owner? List your business on Archizone from €14 a month + VAT.