To furnish a new office lease in 60 days, split the window into three blocks. Days 1 to 14: confirm the floor plan and head count and approve a space plan. Days 15 to 20: choose the grade for each item and place orders. Days 21 to 60: coordinate electrical, delivery and installation so everything is in before move-in. The schedule is set by lead times: in-stock pre-owned furniture can be installed in as little as 72 hours, remanufactured usually takes 7 to 14 days, and new usually takes 4 to 6 weeks, so new furniture only fits if it is ordered early.
This plan is written for office managers, operations leads and COOs who have signed a lease and now own a move-in date. Brokers can share it with a tenant the week the lease is signed, which is the best week to start.
- The lead-time math
- Days 1 to 14: space plan
- Days 15 to 20: decide and order
- Days 21 to 60: power, delivery and install
- The 60-day calendar
- Mistakes that cost weeks
The lead-time math
Start from move-in day and count back. Leave the last three or four days for punch-list fixes, IT setup and a buffer. Then subtract install time and the lead time of the slowest item you choose. Whatever is left is how long you have to plan.
| Grade | Typical lead time | Latest safe order date in a 60-day window | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-owned (liquidation grade) | In stock, installed in as little as 72 hours | Around day 45, subject to stock | Open-office workstations, seating, storage when speed matters |
| Remanufactured | Usually 7 to 14 days | Around day 35 | Systems furniture in a chosen finish without the new-furniture wait |
| New | Usually 4 to 6 weeks | Around day 15 to 20 | Items nobody has in stock, or a specific product line |
The latest dates are not targets. Stock moves, and the earlier you order, the more choice you have. But they show why a team that spends five weeks debating layouts ends up with only in-stock options.
Days 1 to 14: space plan
Get the real floor plan
Ask the landlord or your broker for the current CAD or PDF plan, and confirm it matches the built space. Columns, window mullions, door swings and floor box locations decide where workstations can go.
Set the program
Write down how many people sit there on a busy day, not total head count, plus growth over the lease term. List the private offices, meeting rooms, phone rooms, break area, storage and reception you need. If staff are hybrid, plan to the peak day.
Draw it
A space plan turns the program into a layout: workstation sizes and panel heights, aisle widths, the power path, and where meeting rooms sit. Our space planning is free and drawn on your actual floor. The cubicle configurations page and the cubicle size guide help you pick station sizes before the first draft.
Approve one version
Circulate the plan to the decision makers once, collect comments within a few days, and approve a final. Every extra revision cycle costs a week.
Days 15 to 20: decide and order
Go through the plan item by item and choose a grade for each, based on the lead-time table above and how visible the item is.
- Workstations. Pre-owned or remanufactured systems furniture is the usual answer on a short schedule. See used cubicles for what is typically available.
- Seating. Chairs are the item people notice most. Pre-owned task chairs from major manufacturers are available in remanufactured or pre-owned condition.
- Conference and private offices. Order any new tables or casegoods first, because they set the long pole.
- Storage and filing. Usually easy to source quickly; confirm dimensions against the plan.
Send the plan and selections for a quote. Delivery, professional installation and electrical are quoted separately from the furniture, so ask for all three at once to avoid a second round.
Days 21 to 60: power, delivery and install
Book the electrician now
Powered workstations connect to the building through a base feed, either from a wall, a floor box or a ceiling power pole. The electrician needs the final plan to bring power to those points before install, then returns to make final connections. This is the trade most often booked too late.
Book the building
The new building has its own rules: proof of insurance (the COI), freight elevator reservations, dock hours and floor protection. Get them from property management and send them to every vendor.
Sequence the install
- Low-voltage cabling and electrical rough-in
- Workstations and benching, including power harnesses
- Private offices and conference rooms
- Seating, storage and accessories
- Electrical final connections and testing
- IT setup at each desk
- Punch-list walk and fixes
The 60-day calendar
| Days | Milestone | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | Floor plan confirmed, program written, space plan requested | Project owner |
| 4 to 10 | First plan drafted and reviewed | Space planner, decision makers |
| 11 to 14 | Final plan approved | Project owner |
| 15 to 20 | Grades chosen, quote approved, new items ordered | Project owner, finance |
| 21 to 30 | Electrician and cabling booked, building insurance and access confirmed | Project owner, property manager |
| 30 to 45 | Remanufactured items in production, pre-owned reserved, rough-in done | Furniture provider, electrician |
| 45 to 55 | Delivery and installation | Installer |
| 55 to 60 | Final connections, IT setup, punch list, move-in | Electrician, IT, project owner |
Mistakes that cost weeks
- Ordering before the plan is final. Furniture bought for a layout that changes either does not fit or arrives in the wrong quantity.
- Choosing finishes last. A specific fabric or laminate can turn a quick item into a long one. Decide finishes with the plan.
- Forgetting power. Workstations can be installed on time and still be unusable if the electrician is not booked.
- Skipping the building rules. A missing COI can keep the truck at the dock.
- Planning to total head count. In a hybrid office, that buys seats nobody uses.
Leaving an old space at the same time? Our corporate relocation team can plan both ends, and surplus furniture from the old office can be handled through liquidation, case by case.
Send us your floor plan and move-in date through the quote request, or write to hello@officestation.com. Space planning is free, and every project is quoted individually.
Frequently asked questions
Can you furnish an office in 60 days?
Yes, if the space plan is approved in the first two weeks and orders are placed by about day 20. Pre-owned liquidation-grade furniture in stock can be installed in as little as 72 hours, remanufactured usually takes 7 to 14 days, and new usually takes 4 to 6 weeks. New furniture fits a 60-day window only when the order goes in early.
What is the first step in furnishing a new office?
Get an accurate floor plan and a head count, then a space plan. The plan sets workstation sizes, counts, aisles, power locations and meeting rooms, and every order comes from it. Office Station provides space planning free, so you can see options on your actual floor before committing to anything.
How long does office furniture take to arrive?
It depends on the grade. In-stock pre-owned furniture can be installed in as little as 72 hours. Remanufactured workstations usually take 7 to 14 days because panels and surfaces are refinished or refabricated to your spec. New furniture usually takes 4 to 6 weeks. Delivery and installation are scheduled once the space is ready.
Should furniture install happen before or after the electrician?
Coordinate them. Powered workstations need the building feed in the right place, so the electrician brings power to the connection points first, the installer sets the workstations and harnesses, and the electrician makes the final connections. Electrical work is quoted separately from the furniture, so book it as soon as the plan is final.
Can I mix pre-owned, remanufactured and new furniture in one office?
Yes, and it often solves a tight schedule. A common mix is in-stock pre-owned workstations for the open office, remanufactured pieces where a specific finish matters, and new items only where nothing suitable is available. Matching colors and heights across grades is part of the space plan.
