Liquidating an office tends to happen once every several years for most companies, so almost nobody walks in knowing the process. This FAQ covers the questions that come up on nearly every project. It is grouped by topic so you can jump to what you need.
- How we decide what happens to furniture
- Timeline and scheduling
- Decommissioning and building logistics
- Condition grades and warranties
- Buying: pricing, delivery and lead times
How we decide what happens to furniture
How do you decide what happens to my furniture?
Office Station walks the space for free and looks at what you have, your timeline and your building. Then we recommend the best route for the furniture: resale, a buy, a quote to clear, donation or recycling, or a mix, case by case. Brand, age, condition, quantity and how uniform the set is all matter. So do volume, access, floors, elevator and dock constraints, and whether work has to happen after hours.
Is my furniture worth anything?
It depends. Every office is different, so there is no standard answer before a walkthrough. Matched sets of recognizable designer workstations and seating in good condition are the most likely to have resale value. Mixed, dated or heavily worn furniture is often better suited to donation or recycling. The walkthrough tells you which route fits.
Can I get a rough number before a walkthrough?
Every inventory is different, so we do not quote ahead of a walkthrough. The written recommendation that follows is the plan you can work from.
Which markets do you serve for liquidation?
Liquidation service covers Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Las Vegas, Reno, San Diego, Orange County, Northern California (Bay Area and Sacramento), Denver, Salt Lake City and Albuquerque. Each market has its own page under the liquidation section.
Timeline and scheduling
How soon can someone see the space?
Walkthroughs typically happen within 48 hours in Greater Phoenix and within 2-3 business days elsewhere in the service area.
How soon do I get the recommendation?
Within 5 business days. If your lease end date is close, say so up front so the schedule can be planned backward from your handback date.
When should I start?
Earlier than you think. Your landlord, property manager and building engineer may all need notice for after-hours work, elevator reservations and dock time. Starting the conversation well before your lease ends gives you room to compare options and avoid holdover charges.
Decommissioning and building logistics
What is included in office decommissioning?
Beyond removing furniture, office decommissioning covers the details your landlord and IT team care about:
- Nights and weekends crews so your remaining staff or neighbors are not disrupted
- Certificates of insurance (COIs) issued to your building
- Freight elevator and loading dock coordination
- An itemized inventory of what leaves the space
- E-waste handling with certificates of data destruction
- A photo-documented, broom-clean handback
- A diversion summary showing where materials went
What happens to computers and electronics?
E-waste is handled separately from furniture, and you receive certificates of data destruction. Keep those with your records. Your IT and compliance teams will likely ask for them.
My building requires a COI. Is that a problem?
No. Send the building's COI requirements early, including the exact certificate holder wording and any additional insureds, so the certificate matches on the first try.
We are moving, not closing. Can you help with that?
Yes. Corporate relocation can combine moving what you keep, liquidating what you do not, and furnishing the new space.
Condition grades and warranties
What do the condition grades mean?
| Grade | Meaning | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| A | Like new | Client-facing areas, executive space |
| B | Very good | General open office, conference rooms |
| C | Good | Training rooms, overflow, back office |
Are you an authorized dealer for the brands you sell?
No. Office Station is an independent reseller of pre-owned designer furniture, including Herman Miller, Steelcase, Knoll, Haworth, Humanscale, Teknion, Allsteel, Kimball, AIS and Friant.
Does the manufacturer warranty transfer?
Generally, no. Manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned furniture. If a transferable warranty is required by your organization, factor that in before choosing pre-owned for those pieces.
Buying: pricing, delivery and lead times
What does a workstation cost?
For a 6'x6' workstation, furniture only:
| Tier | Lead time |
|---|---|
| Liquidation-grade | As little as 72 hours in stock |
| Remanufactured | Usually 7-14 days |
| New | 4-6 weeks |
Electrical, delivery and professional installation are quoted as separate lines.
Is there volume pricing?
Larger orders are quoted together, and your quantity is reflected in the written quote.
How much are delivery and installation?
Delivery is quoted with your project, based on your address, building access and the size of the order. Outside Greater Phoenix, freight is quoted per project nationwide. Installation is quoted with your project, based on the number of stations, building access and the complexity of the layout. Space planning is free.
Do I need an electrician?
If your workstations are powered, plan on it. Electrical is not included in furniture pricing, so get that quote separately.
Still have a question?
Email hello@officestation.com or use the contact page. For deeper reading on planning a move or closing an office, browse the guides.
Frequently asked questions
How do you decide what happens to our furniture?
Every office is different. After a free walkthrough, Office Station recommends the best route for your furniture: resale, a buy, a quote to clear, donation or recycling, or a mix, decided case by case.
How fast can I get a written recommendation?
Walkthroughs typically happen within 48 hours in Greater Phoenix and within 2-3 business days in other service markets. A written recommendation follows within 5 business days of the walkthrough.
Do manufacturer warranties transfer on pre-owned furniture?
Generally no. Office Station is an independent reseller, not an authorized dealer, so manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned pieces. Condition grades tell you what shape each piece is in.
What do condition grades A, B and C mean?
Grade A is like new, grade B is very good and grade C is good. Grades let you match condition to the space, such as A for client-facing areas and C for storage or overflow rooms.
How much is delivery?
Delivery is quoted with your project, based on your address, building access and the size of the order. Everywhere else in the country, freight is quoted per project. Installation is quoted with your project, based on the number of stations, building access and the complexity of the layout.
