Most cubicle shopping assumes a square grid: 6'x6' stations, right-angle panels, straight aisles. Herman Miller Resolve throws that out. It uses vertical poles as the structure and attaches screens and worksurfaces between them at 120-degree angles, forming clusters of three, six or more people.
That is why buying used Herman Miller Resolve is less about finding a good price per station and more about understanding how the system plans. Get the geometry and parts count right, and a pre-owned Resolve install can deliver an open, collaborative floor at a fraction of the cost of new.
How Resolve plans differently than panels
In a panel system, you draw a rectangle, divide it into squares and run aisles between rows. Resolve works on angles instead, which changes almost every planning decision.
| Planning factor | Traditional panel system | Resolve, 120-degree |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Walls carry the load and the worksurfaces | Poles carry screens and worksurfaces |
| Basic unit | Square or rectangular station | Angled station within a cluster |
| Floor pattern | Rows and a rectilinear grid | Honeycomb-style clusters with organic aisles |
| Privacy | Set by panel height | Set by screen height and orientation, generally more open |
| Fitting odd rooms | Can leave awkward leftover space | Clusters can flex around columns and angled walls |
| Reconfiguring | Swap panels within the same grid | Rethink the cluster, poles and screens together |
Two practical consequences follow. First, you cannot convert a panel floor plan to Resolve by replacing each square with a Resolve station. The circulation paths and cluster spacing need to be drawn from scratch. Second, the angled worksurfaces tend to give each person a wide, wraparound work area, so the per-person feel does not map neatly to a 6'x6' comparison.
Count parts, not stations
A used Resolve listing that says "24 stations" tells you very little. What matters is whether every component needed to stand those stations up is there. Ask for, or build, a component inventory that covers:
- Poles, including their heights and bases or floor connections.
- Beams and connectors that link poles and carry loads between them.
- Screens, by size and type, and whether they are fabric or another material.
- Worksurfaces and the supports that attach them.
- Canopies, shelves and storage if your plan uses them.
- Power and cable routing components. Remember that electrical work is not part of furniture pricing.
Missing a handful of connectors can stall an entire cluster. On any lot we sell, we tell you what is included so you are not discovering gaps on install day.
Add spares for future changes
Because Resolve parts are specific to the system, it pays to hold a small reserve of the components that wear or go missing most often, such as connectors and screens. Buying a few extras alongside your main lot is usually easier than hunting for single pieces later, when matching inventory may be gone.
Installation takes system familiarity
Pole-based systems go together differently than panels, and cluster alignment matters for a clean result. Professional installation is $95 per workstation with a $495 minimum, and it is worth considering if your in-house team has only worked with panel cubicles.
Condition grades for pre-owned Resolve
Office Station is an independent reseller of pre-owned Herman Miller furniture, not an authorized dealer, and manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer. Each lot gets our condition grade:
- Grade A, like new: little or no visible wear.
- Grade B, very good: light marks such as minor scratches on poles or small surface scuffs.
- Grade C, good: fully functional with more visible cosmetic wear, such as faded screen fabric.
On pole systems, pay special attention to screen fabric and worksurface edges. Poles usually wear well, while fabric is where age shows first.
Pricing, installation and lead times
Resolve is quoted per project because the mix of components changes with every layout. For a benchmark, here are our furniture-only prices for a standard 6'x6' workstation:
| Option | Furniture-only price | Lead time |
|---|---|---|
| Liquidation-grade | $615 | As little as 72 hours in stock |
| Remanufactured | $1,245 | Usually 7 to 14 days |
| New | $1,920 | 4 to 6 weeks |
Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.
Prices exclude electrical, delivery and professional installation. Installation is $95 per workstation with a $495 minimum. Greater Phoenix delivery runs $195 central or $295 metro, and freight elsewhere is quoted per project. Larger projects qualify for volume pricing of 5% at 20 or more stations, 8% at 50 or more and 12% at 100 or more.
When Resolve makes sense, and when it does not
Resolve fits teams that value openness, collaboration and a less corporate look, and floors with irregular shapes where a grid wastes space. It is a weaker fit if people need high privacy, or if you expect to reconfigure often using in-house staff who know panel systems.
If you are torn, compare it against rectilinear options on our used cubicles page, or browse broader pre-owned office furniture to build out the rest of the floor.
Replacing an older Resolve installation instead? Our office furniture liquidation service provides a written net offer, which is resale value minus removal cost, and pays you when that number is positive.
Frequently asked questions
How is Resolve different from a panel cubicle?
A panel system uses walls joined at right angles, and the walls usually carry the worksurfaces. Resolve uses vertical poles as the structure, with screens and worksurfaces attached between them at 120-degree angles. The result is clusters that read more like a honeycomb than a grid.
Can I mix Resolve with my existing panel system?
Not directly, since the two structures are not designed to connect. Most offices place them in separate zones and use storage, planters or aisle space as the transition. We can show that on a free space plan.
What is the biggest risk when buying used Resolve?
Incomplete parts. A Resolve cluster depends on poles, connectors, screens and support hardware all being present. Before you buy, get a component count for each station, not just a station count.
Is Office Station a Herman Miller dealer?
No. We are an independent reseller of pre-owned furniture and are not authorized by Herman Miller. Manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned pieces, so we grade each lot A like new, B very good or C good.
How much does a used Resolve workstation cost?
Resolve is quoted per project because component mixes vary. Our standard 6'x6' workstation benchmarks are $615 liquidation-grade, $1,245 remanufactured and $1,920 new, furniture only. Electrical, delivery and installation are extra.
Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.
