"Quick ship" is one of the most loosely used phrases in office furniture. Sometimes it means a short list of new items that ship in three weeks instead of eight. What you actually need to know is simpler: what can be standing in your space, assembled and usable, by the date you need it? The honest answer depends on which tier of furniture you choose.
This page lays out the three tiers Office Station sells, the realistic lead time for each, what drives the cost of a project, and how to build a schedule that does not fall apart in the last week.
Lead times by tier
Every quick ship decision comes down to trading some combination of price, uniformity and speed. Here is how the three tiers line up.
| Tier | Typical lead time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Liquidation-grade | As little as 72 hours, when in stock | Emergency moves, fast expansions, tight budgets |
| Remanufactured | Usually 7-14 days | Refreshed look on a short timeline |
| New | 4-6 weeks | Planned moves with room in the schedule |
Furniture quotes exclude electrical, delivery and professional installation. Those are covered below, because they belong in your timeline as much as your budget.
Liquidation-grade: speed first
Liquidation-grade furniture is pre-owned inventory that is already on hand. Nothing has to be built, refinished or ordered from a factory, which is why it can move in as little as 72 hours. The catch is that "in stock" means what exists right now. If you need 40 matching stations in one finish, confirm the count before you commit your team to a date.
Pieces are condition graded: A is like new, B is very good and C is good. Mixing grades can stretch availability if a single grade runs short.
Remanufactured: the middle lane
Remanufactured furniture usually takes 7 to 14 days. You pay more than liquidation-grade and get a more consistent, refreshed result. If your move is two or three weeks out, this tier often gives you the best balance.
New: predictable, not fast
New furniture runs 4 to 6 weeks. That is not quick ship by most definitions, but it is reliable when you have the runway. If you are reading this page with less than a month to go, new is probably off the table for the bulk of your order.
The lead time is not your whole schedule
A 72-hour lead time does not mean your office is ready in 72 hours. Furniture arriving is one step in a longer chain. Work backward from your move-in date and account for each of these:
- Space plan. Know how many stations fit and where power and data land. Space planning is free, and it is the step that prevents ordering the wrong quantity.
- Inventory confirmation. Lock in quantities, finishes and grades before you set a date.
- Electrical. Powered workstations need an electrician to connect them. That work is not included in furniture pricing, and it is often the slowest piece to schedule.
- Delivery. In Greater Phoenix, delivery is scheduled around your address and building access. Outside Greater Phoenix, freight is quoted per project and transit time adds to your window.
- Installation. Installation is quoted with your project, based on the number of stations, building access and the complexity of the layout. Book the crew when you order, not when the truck arrives.
- Building access. Confirm freight elevator and dock time with your property manager, plus any certificate of insurance the building requires.
What drives the cost of a quick ship project
On a fast project, the same factors that set your timeline also set your budget:
- Grade. Liquidation-grade costs the least and moves fastest, remanufactured sits in the middle, and new costs the most.
- Station size, panel height and finishes. Bigger stations, taller panels and specific finishes all add cost and can narrow what is in stock.
- Quantity and matched inventory. Larger orders are quoted together, and your quantity is reflected in the written quote. A large matching set may mean mixing grades or tiers.
- Power. Powered panels add components, and the electrician is a separate cost.
- Delivery and installation. Distance, building access and layout complexity shape both.
The furniture, delivery and installation each appear as their own line on your written quote, and space planning is free. Every project is quoted individually. Request a free quote and free space plan.
Splitting an order across tiers
You do not have to pick one tier for the whole office. A split order is often the smartest way to hit a hard date without settling for less everywhere.
- Phase one: in-stock liquidation-grade stations for the open work area, so people can sit down the first week.
- Phase two: remanufactured pieces for client-facing zones or leadership areas, arriving a week or two later.
- Seating separately: chairs are easy to swap later, so buy what is available now and upgrade if needed. See pre-owned office chairs.
Plan the split with the final layout in mind so phase two drops into place without moving phase one.
Quick ship checklist
- Move-in date and the last day furniture can arrive
- Station count from a space plan, not a guess
- Station size and whether you need powered panels
- Acceptable condition grades (A, B, C)
- Electrician booked for connection
- Dock and freight elevator reserved, COI requirements confirmed
- Installation included in the quote
- A plan for the old furniture if you are leaving a space
If you are also moving out
Fast moves usually have two sides: furnishing the new space and clearing the old one. Your current furniture may have resale value. Office furniture liquidation starts with a free walkthrough, then a recommendation on the best route: resale, a buy, a quote to clear, donation or recycling, case by case. Walkthroughs typically happen within 48 hours in Greater Phoenix and 2-3 business days elsewhere, with a written recommendation within 5 business days. For the full sequence, see corporate relocation.
Browse the full range of pre-owned office furniture, or email hello@officestation.com with your station count and deadline.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to furnish an office?
In-stock liquidation-grade furniture is the fastest option, with lead times of as little as 72 hours. Availability depends on what is in inventory when you order, so confirming quantities and finishes early matters. Delivery and installation also need to fit inside your window.
How long does remanufactured office furniture take?
Remanufactured furniture usually takes 7 to 14 days. It is a good middle ground when you want a more uniform, refreshed look but cannot wait for new production.
How long does new office furniture take?
New furniture typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. That works for a planned move but is often too slow for an emergency expansion or a lease that ends early.
Do quick ship prices include delivery and installation?
No. Workstation quotes cover furniture only and exclude electrical, delivery and professional installation. Installation is a separate line, based on the number of stations, building access and the complexity of the layout. Delivery is also its own line, based on your address, building access and the size of the order, and freight outside Greater Phoenix is quoted per project.
Can I combine tiers in one order?
Yes. Many offices place in-stock liquidation-grade stations first so people can work on day one, then add remanufactured or new pieces where appearance matters most. Free space planning helps you sequence the two.
