Straight answers

Office Furniture Liquidation FAQ

The questions people ask most about liquidating, decommissioning and buying pre-owned office furniture, answered plainly. No sales language, just how it works and what it costs.

7 minute read
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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.

Net offers and liquidation value

How is my furniture valued?

Office Station looks at what your furniture will realistically resell for, then subtracts what it will cost to remove it. The result is your net offer, delivered in writing. Resale value depends on brand, age, condition, quantity and how uniform the set is. Removal cost depends on volume, access, floors, elevator and dock constraints, and whether work has to happen after hours.

Will I get paid, or will I pay?

It depends on the math. A positive net offer means you are paid. A negative one means the resale value did not fully cover removal, and the offer shows the remaining cost. Matched sets of recognizable designer workstations and seating in good condition are the most likely to come out positive. Mixed, dated or heavily worn furniture is more likely to reduce, rather than eliminate, your cost.

Can I get a rough number before a walkthrough?

Yes. The liquidation estimator gives you a ballpark based on what you tell it. The written offer after a walkthrough is the number you can plan around.

Try the liquidation estimator

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 offer?

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?

GradeMeaningWhere it fits
ALike newClient-facing areas, executive space
BVery goodGeneral open office, conference rooms
CGoodTraining 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:

TierPriceLead time
Liquidation-grade$615As little as 72 hours in stock
Remanufactured$1,245Usually 7-14 days
New$1,9204-6 weeks

Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.

Prices exclude electrical, delivery and professional installation.

Is there volume pricing?

Yes: 5% off at 20 or more stations, 8% at 50 or more and 12% at 100 or more.

How much are delivery and installation?

Greater Phoenix delivery is $195 for central zones and $295 for the wider metro. Outside Greater Phoenix, freight is quoted per project nationwide. Installation is $95 per workstation with a $495 minimum. 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.

Start a workstation quote

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

What is a net offer?

A net offer is the resale value of your furniture minus the cost to remove it. If the number is positive, Office Station pays you. If it is negative, the offer shows what the removal will cost you after the resale value is credited.

How fast can I get a written offer?

Walkthroughs typically happen within 48 hours in Greater Phoenix and within 2-3 business days in other service markets. Written offers follow 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?

In Greater Phoenix, delivery is $195 for central zones and $295 for the wider metro. Everywhere else in the country, freight is quoted per project. Installation is $95 per workstation with a $495 minimum.

Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.

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Moving out, downsizing or consolidating?

Get a walkthrough scheduled and a written net-number offer. No cost, no obligation.