It happens on a lot of office projects. The furniture ships on the date it was promised, but the flooring contractor is a week behind, the inspection has not passed or the ceiling grid is still open. Now you have a truck at the dock and nowhere to put what is on it.
This guide covers what to do in the moment, then how to sequence your next project so furniture and construction land in the right order.
If the furniture is already on the way
Work through these steps in order. The goal is to protect the furniture, protect your budget and protect the finish work that is already done.
- Call before the truck leaves. A delivery that has not departed can often be rescheduled. Once it is on the road, options narrow.
- Check building rules. Confirm the freight elevator and dock are reserved, and that the building will allow furniture storage on the floor.
- Pick a holding area. Choose a secure, dry room away from active trades. Dust, paint overspray and drywall work are the most common causes of damage.
- Document on arrival. Count cartons against the packing list and photograph any damage before signing.
- Do not install early. Installing into an unfinished space means crews will move or cover the furniture later, which adds cost and risk.
- Reset the install date. Get a realistic completion date from the general contractor, then rebook installation around it.
What "ready for furniture" actually means
Agree on a definition with your contractor before anyone orders anything. A space is ready for workstation installation when:
- Flooring is installed and cured.
- Ceilings, lighting and HVAC work above the work area are complete.
- Paint is finished and dry.
- Power and data rough-in is in place where stations connect.
- Building access, elevator and dock times are confirmed for delivery day.
- The area is clean and free of other trades.
Put this list in writing and make the furniture delivery date depend on it, not on a calendar guess from the start of the project.
Sequencing lead times with construction
The most reliable way to avoid early arrivals is to match the furniture tier to how confident you are in the construction schedule. Here is how lead times compare for a 6'x6' workstation, furniture only:
| Tier | Price per station | Typical lead time | When to order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquidation-grade | $615 | As little as 72 hours in stock | After the space passes your ready checklist |
| Remanufactured | $1,245 | Usually 7-14 days | About two weeks before confirmed completion |
| New | $1,920 | 4-6 weeks | Early, with a storage or hold plan in place |
Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.
Prices exclude electrical, delivery and professional installation. The logic is simple: the longer the lead time, the further ahead you commit, and the more exposed you are to construction delays. Short lead times let you order against what is actually happening on site.
Get a workstation quote with lead times
A sample timeline
For a build-out with remanufactured workstations, a workable sequence looks like this:
- Early in design: free space planning so the electrician knows where stations and power go.
- Construction midpoint: confirm the layout and quantities, and check volume pricing (5% at 20+ stations, 8% at 50+, 12% at 100+).
- About two weeks out: place the order once the contractor confirms a completion date.
- Completion week: walk the space against the ready checklist.
- Delivery and install: installation at $95 per workstation with a $495 minimum, then electrical connections.
If you are mixing tiers, order new pieces early and time liquidation-grade or remanufactured pieces to the finish. That keeps long-lead items from being the reason you wait, and short-lead items from sitting in a hallway.
Delivery planning and costs
In Greater Phoenix, delivery is $195 for central locations and $295 for metro locations. Outside Greater Phoenix, freight is quoted per project nationwide. A rescheduled delivery is far easier to manage when the original booking already includes dock and elevator times, so lock those in with building management early.
Coordinate the move-out side too
If you are leaving another office, the old space has its own schedule: lease end, landlord handback requirements and restoration. Early furniture arrival at the new space often collides with a late move-out at the old one.
Office Station can time office furniture liquidation and decommissioning to your move-out date. That includes a written net offer (resale value minus removal cost), nights and weekends crews, COIs, itemized inventory, e-waste with certificates of data destruction and a photo-documented broom-clean handback. For full moves, see corporate relocation.
Quick checklist
- Define "ready for furniture" in writing with your contractor.
- Choose tiers based on schedule confidence.
- Tie the order date to confirmed completion, not the original plan.
- Reserve dock and freight elevator time early.
- Have a holding area plan in case of delay.
- Document carton counts and condition at delivery.
- Sync move-out liquidation with move-in installation.
Questions about timing a specific project? Email hello@officestation.com.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if office furniture arrives before the space is ready?
First, confirm whether the delivery can be rescheduled before the truck leaves. If it cannot, find a secure, dry, climate-appropriate place to hold it, document the condition of every carton on arrival, and keep it out of active construction areas. Then rebuild the installation date around the real construction schedule.
When should furniture be delivered during a build-out?
Furniture should arrive after the space is substantially complete: flooring down, ceilings and lighting finished, paint dry and the power and data rough-in in place. Delivering into active trades risks damage and forces crews to work around each other.
How do lead times help avoid early deliveries?
Match the furniture tier to your schedule confidence. Liquidation-grade workstations can be available in as little as 72 hours when in stock, remanufactured usually takes 7-14 days and new typically takes 4-6 weeks. Shorter lead times let you order closer to the finish date instead of guessing weeks in advance.
Does workstation pricing include electrical and installation?
No. Workstation prices are furniture only and exclude electrical, delivery and professional installation. Installation is $95 per workstation with a $495 minimum, and your electrician will need to coordinate with the furniture layout for powered panels or whips.
Can the old office furniture be removed on the same schedule?
Yes. If you are moving out of another space, liquidation and decommissioning can be timed to your move-out date with nights and weekends crews and a photo-documented broom-clean handback. Coordinating both ends keeps you from paying for two spaces full of furniture.
Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.
