Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I run my own business?
A. Yes, your business is your own. We simply provide you with enough work to fill your spare capacity.

Q. How long has Plumbs been working with sub contract manufacturers ?
A. We started working with Plumbs Manufacturers in 1996. Out of the first 10 recruited 7 are still working with us 11 years later.

Q. What types and brands of fabric do you use?
A. All our Traditional loose covers and re upholstery orders are manufactured in rigid fabrics, cottons, linens and man made fibres. We use fabrics from Sandersons, Crowson, Villa Nova and many others to produce our top end products.

Q. What do I need to do to become a Plumbs Manufacturer?
A. To become a Plumbs Manufacturer you need suitable work premises, all of the necessary equipment to produce loose covers/re-upholstery, your own transport, telephone, internet access, good customer relations and the ability to produce first class products.

Q. How do I become a Plumbs Manufacturer?
A. In the first instance find out payment rates and for further details, contact Angela Frank on 01772 838304. One of our Area Managers will visit you to discuss the possibility of working with us. If the joint decision is a positive one we will ask you to produce a sample (loose covers only). If all is ok with the sample we will then set you up as a Plumbs Manufacturer.

Q. Do I have to sell?
A. No. The work you undertake is to produce the products. The sales are taken care of by our National network of Home Consultants. All the work you undertake for Plumbs is manufacturing, using your skills and craftsmanship to produce a top quality product.

Q. How big will the area be that I will cover?
A. That depends on how busy your area is, but all your orders will be within your part of the country and will reflect the agreed capacity.

Q. How much will I get paid?
A. To find out payment rates and for further details contact Angela Frank on 01772 838304.

Q. When do I get paid?
A. We pay within 10 days of you completing the order.

Q. How much does it cost to get set-up?
A. Nothing. If you already produce loose covers and/or re-upholster, you are established.

Q. I have limited capacity, will that be a problem?
A. No, that's not a problem. Whatever your capacity, we aim to utilise it. We offer consistent and regular work to give you peace of mind.

Q. Can I earn any bonuses?
A. Yes. If you use the appropriate website to keep us informed of your order progress we will pay you up to an extra 5% of the normal order fee. In addition, if you use our fabric economically and return rolls of surplus fabric consisting of 7m or more, we will pay you for doing so.

Q. Am I expected to provide replacement seat cushions for orders?
A. For loose cover orders, it is not normal practice to replace the seat cushion interiors. With regard to re-upholstery, seat cushions are always replaced, unless the customer has instructed otherwise. Plumbs supply these to the upholsterer approximately one week after the order has been placed.

In addition to seat cushion interiors, Plumbs provide you with Dacron, dyprol base cloth, stockinette, zigzag springs, fish-mouth units, mesh-top units and standard castors and sockets free of charge for re-upholstery order.

Q. Do you provide patterns / templates for loose covers?
A. No. Traditional covers are tailored to the item of furniture in question. The loose cover maker is therefore responsible for his or her own measuring, cutting, sewing and fitting. Thus ensuring a perfect fit.

Q. What quality control checks are made?
A. Following an initial discussion over the telephone, one of our Regional Managers would visit your premises to assess it’s suitability, along with the suitability of your equipment, transport and work. You would be asked to produce a sample, in relation to loose covers.