Agent or Principal? Supplying FF&E Explained

Date Published: 1st December 2022

Join the BIID for a webinar explaining the difference between acting as an Agent or a Principal when supplying FF&E

The supply, procurement, delivery and installation of Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E) is a significant component of the work of many interior designers.

In performing this service, designers may act as an ‘agent’, advising on FF&E to be supplied by others or they may supply the FF&E directly to the client, acting as a ‘principal’. Some designers may act as both agent and principal, depending on the project and FF&E.

Ensuring you are complying with all relevant legislation, and adhering to the BIID Code of Conduct, when supplying FF&E can be complex and this CPD is designed to give an overview of the core principles to keep in mind when performing this type of work.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Topics covered will include:

• Role and responsibilities of an ‘agent’ vs a ‘principal’
• Client rights and responsibilities – consumer vs commercial clients
• When ‘installation’ becomes ‘construction’
• Liabilities and warranties
• Trade discounts and designer commissions

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS 

Colin Jones – Colin Jones is Partner of HCR Hewitsons and a solicitor specialising in construction and procurement law. He is long time adviser to BIID and its members and as well as overseeing our Legal Helpline he has advised on the BIID contracts of appointment, including working in the past as part of a BIID team in the drafting of the BIID Concise Agreement for Interior Design Services contract (CID/14), published by RIBA Publishing.

Thomas Nation – Thomas Nation is a solicitor in the HCR Hewitsons Construction and Engineering team. He advises interior designers on appointment contracts and has represented interior design clients in contentious disputes, including court claims. Thomas has provided assistance to many BIID members via the BIID Legal Helpline.

This webinar is worth 1 hour of structured CPD.