Pre-owned panel systems

Used Steelcase Answer Cubicles

Answer panel workstations are one of the most common systems on the secondhand market. Here is how to buy them pre-owned with clear grades, honest pricing and realistic lead times.

6 minute read
Designer office furniture

If you are shopping for used Steelcase Answer cubicles, you are in good company. Answer is a panel-based system that was specified in a huge number of offices, which means pre-owned inventory turns up regularly when companies downsize, relocate or refresh. That availability is good news for your budget, but it also means quality varies a lot from one lot to the next. This page explains how Office Station sells pre-owned Answer workstations, what the two used tiers mean and what to check before you buy.

Why buyers look for pre-owned Answer panels

Panel systems like Answer are built from modular parts: panels, connectors, worksurfaces, storage and optional power and data components. Because the parts are modular, a used system can be reconfigured into a new footprint rather than reinstalled exactly as it came out of the previous office.

  • Cost. A remanufactured 6'x6' station costs about 35% less than new, and a liquidation-grade station costs about 68% less.
  • Speed. In-stock liquidation-grade stations can be ready in as little as 72 hours, versus 4 to 6 weeks for new.
  • Matching. If your office already runs Answer, pre-owned components can help you expand without introducing a second system.
  • Reuse. Buying used keeps functional furniture in service instead of in a landfill.

Liquidation-grade vs. remanufactured Answer workstations

We offer Answer stations in two pre-owned tiers. The right choice depends on how the space will be seen, how long you plan to keep it and how quickly you need it.

Option6'x6' price (furniture only)Typical lead timeBest fit
Liquidation-grade$615As little as 72 hours in stockBack-office teams, call centers, temporary or swing space, tight budgets
Remanufactured$1,245Usually 7 to 14 daysClient-facing floors, long-term installs, offices that want a uniform look
New (for comparison)$1,9204 to 6 weeksProjects that require new product and a manufacturer warranty

Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.

Prices exclude electrical, delivery and professional installation. Volume pricing applies automatically: 5% off at 20 or more stations, 8% at 50 or more and 12% at 100 or more.

How condition grades work

Each lot is graded so you know what you are getting before it arrives.

  • Grade A, like new. Minimal visible wear. Suitable for any area of the office.
  • Grade B, very good. Light wear you notice up close, such as minor scuffs on edges or trim.
  • Grade C, good. Fully functional with visible wear. A practical choice where appearance matters less.

Build a used cubicle quote

What to check before buying used Answer cubicles

Most problems with pre-owned panel systems come from mismatched parts, not worn ones. Use this checklist on any quote, including ours.

  1. Panel heights. Confirm the heights you need for privacy and sightlines. Lower panels open up a floor; taller panels help with focus and noise.
  2. Connectors and hardware. Ask whether every station includes the connectors needed for your layout, including L, T and end conditions. Missing hardware stalls installs.
  3. Generation compatibility. If you are adding to an existing Answer run, verify that parts from different production eras will connect cleanly before you order.
  4. Fabric and finish. Look at panel fabric, trim color and worksurface laminate together. Ask for photos of the actual lot, not a catalog image.
  5. Power and data. Find out whether powered components are included and what configuration they are. Hardwiring to building power requires a licensed electrician and is not part of the furniture price.
  6. Worksurfaces and storage. Check edge condition, surface depth, pedestal locks and whether keys are available.
  7. Local code and fire rules. Your building or jurisdiction may have requirements on egress widths and panel fabric. Your facilities team or landlord can confirm.

Free space planning for your layout

Before you buy, we will plan the footprint with you at no charge. Send a floor plan or rough dimensions, your headcount and any fixed features such as columns, windows and power locations. We will lay out stations to fit the room and flag anything that affects the order, like extra connectors for runs that change direction.

Planning first also helps you choose a mix. Many offices put remanufactured stations in visible areas and liquidation-grade stations in interior rows, which keeps the look consistent where it counts and saves money where it does not.

Delivery, installation and total cost

The furniture price is only one line on your budget. Here is how a small project adds up.

Line item10 remanufactured 6'x6' stations
Furniture (10 x $1,245)$12,450
Installation (10 x $95)$950
Greater Phoenix metro delivery$295
Estimated total before electrical$13,695

Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.

The same ten stations new would be $19,200 in furniture alone. Installation is $95 per workstation with a $495 minimum. In Greater Phoenix, delivery is $195 central or $295 metro. Outside Phoenix, freight is quoted per project anywhere nationwide. If you are in the Valley, see our local pages for used cubicles in Phoenix and Scottsdale.

Replacing Answer stations you already own?

If your office is moving out of an Answer installation, the old stations may still have resale value. Office Station provides corporate office furniture liquidation across the Southwest, with a written net offer equal to the resale value minus removal cost. When that number is positive, you get paid. You can also browse the rest of our pre-owned office furniture and pre-owned office chairs to finish the space.

Ask about Answer inventory

Frequently asked questions

Is Office Station an authorized Steelcase dealer?

No. Office Station is an independent reseller of pre-owned furniture and is not an authorized Steelcase dealer. Steelcase and Answer are trademarks of their owner. Manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned furniture, so we describe condition with our own A, B and C grades.

How much does a used Answer 6x6 workstation cost?

A 6'x6' workstation, furniture only, runs $615 liquidation-grade or $1,245 remanufactured, compared with $1,920 for new. Those prices exclude electrical, delivery and professional installation. Volume pricing takes 5% off at 20+ stations, 8% at 50+ and 12% at 100+.

Can I add pre-owned Answer stations to the ones I already have?

Often yes, but it depends on the generation, panel heights, connectors and finishes of your existing run. Send us photos of your panels, connectors and any labels you can find, plus measurements, and we will check fit before you commit. Mixing generations is where most add-on problems come from.

How fast can used Answer cubicles be delivered?

Liquidation-grade stations in stock can be ready in as little as 72 hours. Remanufactured stations usually take 7 to 14 days. In Greater Phoenix, delivery is $195 central or $295 metro, and freight elsewhere nationwide is quoted per project.

Do you install the workstations?

Yes. Professional installation is $95 per workstation with a $495 minimum. Electrical hookup to building power is not included and should be handled by a licensed electrician.

Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.

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