Home / How It Works & Fees
Know the supplier, the fees, and every approval point.
Factories, an agent, inspectors, freight partners and a local team. Put each role, fee and decision in writing before production begins.
01 · Role map
Who is in the transaction?
Seven parties can touch one order. Every payment is a named line, and every handover leaves a document.
Buyer
Approves the specification, samples, fees and balance in writing.
Pays per schedule
Foshan Furniture Source
Coordinates suppliers, quotes, follow-up and checks.
Service fee
Maker or trader
Builds to the signed drawing and sample.
Invoices goods
Inspector
Checks against the signed version; report to the buyer.
Fee, if independent
Forwarder
Consolidation, freight and delivery to the agreed end point.
Freight quote
Importer & customs
Clearance, duties and destination requirements.
Duties & taxes
Receiver & installer
Receives, carries in, assembles, records issues.
Local labourProposed format — actual contracts, invoicing entities and responsibilities are confirmed per project.
Next stepFactory, trading company or agent — how to tell who you are really paying.
02 · Fee disclosure
What is included in the service fee?
What we charge, what third parties charge, and when each is agreed. Any supplier commission is declared.
| Service | Charged by | Paid to | Included or separate | When agreed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplier search & checks | Us | Us | Included | Before start |
| Quotes to one specification | Us | Us | Included | Before start |
| Production follow-up | Us | Us | Included | Before start |
| Samples | Factory | Factory | Separate | Sample plan |
| Independent inspection | Inspector | Inspector | Optional | Before production |
| Freight & insurance | Forwarder | Forwarder | Separate | Before shipping |
| Supplier commissions | — | — | Declared | In writing |
Next stepWant the role and fee outline for your own project, in writing?
03 · Approval gates
One project, five written gates.
At each gate you approve something specific and we produce a document. Production does not start on a conversation.
Brief & scope
What is being made, for where, and who receives it.
- You approve
- The scope summary
- We produce
- Scope & schedule
Suppliers & quotes
Each supplier quoted to one specification.
- You approve
- Supplier and quote
- We produce
- Comparison sheets
Spec, samples & drawings
Signed samples and drawing versions.
- You approve
- Sample and drawing
- We produce
- Approval log
Production & inspection
Follow-up at the stages a photo cannot show.
- You approve
- Inspection result
- We produce
- Inspection reports
Release, shipping & handoff
Balance, loading and the destination handover.
- You approve
- Release for shipment
- We produce
- Shipment pack
A real schedule, not a slogan.
The master schedule we run on an order to Sydney sets 10 days for order confirmation, 60 for production and 30 for sea freight — about 100 days, with a control point, an owner and an output document at every stage.
04 · Supplier checks
How do we check a supplier?
We say what was checked and what is still open — never “certified factories only”.
| Check | Evidence | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Maker or trading company | Stated, with business registration | Confirmed |
| Production capacity for category | Seen on site or evidenced | Confirmed |
| Sample matches specification | Checked against signed sheet | Confirmed |
| Verifiable past deliveries | References we could confirm | To confirm |
| Payment entity matches invoice | Bank account in company name | To confirm |
Next stepSee what a check on finished pieces looks like, photograph by photograph.
05 · Changes & failures
What if the spec or an inspection changes?
- 01
Issue found
A change request or a failed check.
- 02
Recorded
Photos, quantity and item code.
- 03
Proposed remedy
Rework, replace or accept with a note — with cost and time impact.
- 04
Your decision
The signed version is recorded.
- 05
Re-check
Against the signed version.
- 06
Release under contract
Balance per the written terms.
Payment and responsibility follow the order contract agreed before production.
Next stepA change needs something to be measured against. See what is signed before production.
06 · Inspection options
Internal follow-up or independent inspection?
Three different things, often confused. Who chooses, who pays and who receives the report is different for each.
Supplier self-check
- Chosen by Factory
- Paid by Factory
- Report to Us and you
- Independent No
Our follow-up
- Chosen by Us
- Paid by Service fee
- Report to You
- Independent No
Independent inspection
- Chosen by You
- Paid by You
- Report to You directly
- Independent Yes
Our follow-up photos are never presented as independent inspection.
Next stepHow results are recorded, and what happens when a check fails.
07 · FAQ
Straight answers.
Can I choose the factory myself?
Yes. You can nominate a supplier; we check it the same way and record what was confirmed and what is still open.
Will I see the supplier’s original quote?
How much of the factory quote is visible is agreed in writing before we start, so there are no surprises later.
Do you receive supplier commissions?
Any commission or relationship with a supplier is declared in writing before work starts.
Who receives my payment?
The invoicing entity for each payment is named before the deposit — the factory, us, or a partner.
What happens if an inspection fails?
The issue is recorded, a remedy proposed with cost and time impact, you decide, and the goods are re-checked before release under the contract.