Used Steelcase Cubicles: Answer vs Kick, Montage, 9000 and More

Steelcase has sold panel and benching systems to corporate offices for decades. When those offices close, consolidate or relocate, the furniture often lands on the resale market. That makes used Steelcase cubicles one of the easiest ways to get commercial-grade workstations at a fraction of new cost.

It also creates confusion. Answer, Kick, Montage, 9000 series, c:scape and FrameOne are different products with different construction, parts and electrical components. Buying the wrong mix can leave you with panels that will not connect or power that cannot be used.

This guide explains the Steelcase systems you are most likely to see, how to identify them, what to know about compatibility and power, and what to inspect. One note up front: Office Station is an independent reseller of pre-owned furniture, not an authorized Steelcase dealer, and manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned furniture.

In this guide:

• Why buy used Steelcase workstations
• The Steelcase systems you will see
• Steelcase Answer vs Kick
• How to identify a Steelcase system
• Compatibility and parts availability
• Powered panel considerations
• Condition grades and pricing
• What to inspect before you buy

Why buy used Steelcase workstations

Commercial panel systems are designed to be installed, taken down and reconfigured. The steel frames, connectors and worksurfaces are built for that cycle. A system that served one company for several years can often serve yours for many more.

The savings are the obvious draw. The less obvious benefit is speed. Pre-owned systems are already built, so you are not waiting on a manufacturing lead time. For a growing team or a tight move-in date, that can matter as much as price.

The trade-off is that you are buying what exists. Finishes, fabrics and panel heights come from the original installation. Planning around real inventory, rather than a catalog, is part of buying used.

The Steelcase systems you will see

These are the Steelcase lines that come up most often in resale. Descriptions are general. Steelcase offered many options and variations within each line, so individual installations differ.

Panel systems

Answer, Kick, Montage and 9000 series are panel-based. Panels define each station, support hung worksurfaces and storage, and in many installations carry power and data. These are what most people picture when they hear the word cubicle.

Open plan and benching

c:scape and FrameOne suit a different kind of office. They favor lower sightlines and shared structures over tall enclosing panels. If your team collaborates heavily, or you need to fit more people into a given footprint, these lines are worth a look. Our cubicle size guide covers how footprints translate to headcount.

Steelcase Answer vs Kick

This is one of the most searched comparisons in used cubicles, and for good reason. Both are Steelcase panel systems, and both show up in resale inventory. They are not the same product.

Answer is a full-featured system that was specified for a wide range of corporate offices. Because so much of it was installed, it is one of the more available Steelcase systems in the pre-owned market. That availability helps when you want to expand later or replace a damaged component.

Kick is generally positioned as a simpler, more economical line. For straightforward rows of workstations, that simplicity can be a plus. For complex layouts with lots of storage and specialty components, Answer usually offers more options.

How to choose:

• Choose by what is available in full. A complete, matched Kick installation is a better buy than a partial Answer system you have to fill in.
• Think about growth. If you expect to add stations, ask how easy it will be to find matching components for that line.
• Do not plan on mixing. Do not assume Answer and Kick parts interchange. Confirm with manufacturer documentation or an experienced installer before combining them.

How to identify a Steelcase system

You do not need to be an installer to narrow down what you are looking at. Use several clues together, because no single one is definitive.

1. Find the labels. Check panel frames, the underside of worksurfaces and the inside of pedestal drawers for manufacturer labels and part numbers.
2. Look at the panel construction. Note whether panels are single solid units or frames with removable tiles, and how thick they are.
3. Study the connectors. The hardware that joins panels together, and how panels meet at corners, varies from system to system.
4. Check the trim and top caps. Edge trim, top caps and end-of-run finishes often differ between lines.
5. Look at how components hang. The way worksurfaces and overhead storage attach to panels is another useful clue.
6. Compare with documentation. Match what you see against Steelcase product literature rather than marketplace photos, which are often mislabeled.

If you are buying remotely, ask for close-up photos of labels, connectors and panel edges. A seller who handles these systems regularly should be able to identify the line and explain how.

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Compatibility and parts availability

Compatibility is where used cubicle projects succeed or fail. Panel systems are made of many parts: panels, connectors, worksurface supports, storage, trim, and electrical components. Those parts are designed to work within a system.

Within a system

Components from the same line generally work together, but options changed over the years. Two panels from the same line can still differ in height, finish or connector detail. Matching the specific generation and options matters.

Across systems

Mixing lines is where problems appear. Connectors may not mate, panel heights may not align, and electrical parts are not interchangeable. Some combinations may be possible with specific transition parts, but that is a question for documentation and an experienced installer, not guesswork.

Parts availability

For widely installed systems, replacement parts often turn up through the resale market as other offices liquidate. For older or less common lines, parts can be harder to find. Before you buy, consider:

• Are all connectors, brackets and supports included, or only the large pieces?
• Are spare panels, trim and hardware available with the lot?
• If you add stations next year, how likely is it that matching components will be available?

Powered panel considerations

Many Steelcase panel installations carry electrical wiring through the panels to outlets at each station. Reusing that power can save money, but it requires care.

• Power is system-specific. Harnesses, receptacles, jumpers and in-feeds are designed for a particular system. Never mix electrical components between systems or manufacturers.
• Circuit configuration varies. Powered systems are built in different circuit configurations. The configuration affects how many devices each station can support and how the system connects to the building.
• In-feeds matter. Power reaches the panels from the wall, floor or ceiling. Make sure the in-feed type suits your space.
• Inspect every component. Look for cracked housings, damaged insulation, bent contacts and missing covers. Damaged parts should be replaced, not reused.
• Use a licensed electrician. Connecting systems furniture to building power should be done by a licensed electrician according to local code. Your jurisdiction may require permits.

Electrical work is not included in furniture pricing, so budget for it separately when you compare quotes.

Condition grades and pricing

Office Station grades pre-owned furniture after inspection:

• Grade A: like new, with minimal signs of use.
• Grade B: very good, with light normal wear.
• Grade C: good, with visible cosmetic wear, fully functional.

Brand pricing varies with the system, configuration and availability, so any quote for a specific Steelcase line depends on the inventory in front of you. As a reference point, here is what Office Station charges for a 6' x 6' workstation, furniture only.

Prices exclude electrical, delivery and professional installation. Space planning is free. For a deeper breakdown, see our used cubicle prices guide and our comparison of used vs remanufactured vs new cubicles.

What refurbished really means

"Refurbished Steelcase workstations" can mean anything from a quick cleaning to new fabric and finishes. Ask exactly what was done: cleaning, panel refabricing, worksurface replacement or repainting. Get it in writing so you can compare offers fairly.

What to inspect before you buy

1. Confirm the specific Steelcase line with labels, connectors and documentation.
2. Check that the lot is complete: panels, connectors, supports, trim, storage and hardware.
3. Look at panel fabric for stains, tears, fading and odor.
4. Inspect panel frames and edges for bends, dents and damaged trim.
5. Check worksurfaces for chipped edges, delamination, deep scratches and warping.
6. Open every pedestal and overhead: drawers should slide smoothly, and locks should work with keys.
7. Confirm panel heights and finishes match across the stations you plan to buy.
8. For powered panels, inspect every electrical component and confirm the circuit configuration.
9. Ask for the condition grade, what refurbishment was done and the seller's written policies.
10. Measure your space, or request a free space plan, before committing.

If you are also furnishing seating and support areas, pair workstations with pre-owned office chairs and other pre-owned office furniture. For chair-specific advice, see our used Steelcase Leap buying guide. Closing an office of your own? Learn about office furniture liquidation.

Inventory changes as corporate liquidations come in across the Southwest. Tell us your headcount and layout, and we will show you what fits. You can also contact us with questions about a specific system.

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Frequently asked questions

Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.