Buying office furniture looks simple until the second quote arrives and nothing lines up. One price includes installation, another does not. One seller says "used," another says "remanufactured," and a third quotes new with a delivery date two months out. The fix is to ask the same questions of every option, in the same order, and write the answers down.
Use this checklist whether you are furnishing ten desks or a full floor.
Questions about your space and needs
Answer these before you talk to any seller. They keep you from buying the wrong thing at a good price.
- How many people will sit here in a year, not today? Plan for realistic growth or contraction so you do not buy twice.
- What footprint does each role need? A 6'x6' workstation suits most task work. Roles with large drawings or dual setups may need more.
- Where are power and data? Workstation layouts depend on where you can feed electrical, and electrical work is usually a separate cost.
- Do you have a floor plan? Office Station offers free space planning, which catches problems with aisles and clearances before anything ships.
- What is your move-in date, and is it fixed? Your deadline decides which furniture tiers are even possible.
Questions about condition
If you are considering pre-owned furniture, condition is where quotes differ most. Ask:
- What is the condition grade on each item? Office Station grades pre-owned furniture A like new, B very good and C good. Get the grade in writing, per line item.
- Is this liquidation-grade or remanufactured? Liquidation-grade furniture is sold closer to as-found. Remanufactured furniture has been refurbished before sale. They are priced very differently for a reason. The used cubicles page compares both against new.
- Can I see the actual pieces or photos of them? Stock photos tell you the model, not the condition.
- Are all components included? For workstations, confirm panels, worksurfaces, connectors, storage and any keys for locking pedestals.
- Will finishes match across the order? Mixed panel fabrics or laminate tones can happen with pre-owned lots. Ask before, not after.
Questions about warranty and who is selling
This is the part many buyers skip, and it matters.
- Is the seller an authorized dealer for this brand? Office Station sells pre-owned Herman Miller, Steelcase, Knoll, Haworth, Humanscale, Teknion, Allsteel, Kimball, AIS and Friant furniture as an independent reseller, not an authorized dealer.
- Does the manufacturer warranty transfer? For pre-owned furniture, manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer. Treat any claim otherwise with caution and ask for it in writing. The same applies to chairs and casegoods you find among pre-owned office furniture.
- What happens if something arrives damaged or missing? Ask how issues are reported and resolved, and inspect on delivery.
Questions about lead times
Ask for a realistic ship date, not a best case. Here is how Office Station's workstation tiers compare.
| Tier | Typical lead time | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Liquidation-grade | As little as 72 hours when in stock | Urgent move-ins, startups, overflow space |
| Remanufactured | Usually 7-14 days | Most offices that want a refreshed look on a budget |
| New | 4-6 weeks | Custom finishes, exact specifications, long runway |
Also ask: Is the quoted quantity actually in stock right now? Pre-owned inventory moves. A quote is only as good as the stock behind it.
Questions about total installed cost
This is where you compare apples to apples. Ask every seller for these line items:
- Furniture price per station, and exactly what configuration it covers
- Volume discount and how it is applied
- Delivery or freight
- Installation, including any small-job or after-hours charges
- Electrical, which is usually a separate contractor
- Removal of your old furniture, if needed
Expect the totals to move with a few things: the tier you choose, station size, panel height, finishes and quantity on the furniture line; your address and building access on delivery; and station count, layout complexity and after-hours timing on installation. A quote that leaves any of these vague is hard to compare.
At Office Station, every project is quoted individually. The furniture, delivery and installation each appear as their own line on your written quote, larger orders are quoted together, and space planning is free. Electrical and taxes are not included.
Questions about your old furniture
If you are replacing furniture, do not forget what is already on the floor.
- Does the old furniture have resale value? It may. Every office is different, so Office Station walks it for free and recommends the best route: resale, a buy, a quote to clear, donation or recycling, or a mix.
- Who handles the building? Ask about certificates of insurance, freight elevator and dock scheduling, and after-hours crews.
- What about electronics? E-waste should come with certificates of data destruction.
Read how a full office decommissioning works.
The short version
- Headcount, footprint, power and move-in date defined
- Condition grade and tier in writing for every item
- Reseller or authorized dealer status confirmed
- Warranty coverage understood, not assumed
- Realistic lead time and in-stock confirmation
- Total installed cost with delivery, installation and electrical listed
- A plan and a number for your old furniture
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important question to ask when buying office furniture?
Ask what the quoted price includes. Many furniture prices cover the furniture only and exclude electrical, delivery and installation. Getting a total installed number is the only way to compare quotes fairly.
Do manufacturer warranties apply to used office furniture?
Generally not. Manufacturer warranties usually do not transfer to pre-owned furniture, and a reseller that is not an authorized dealer cannot extend them. Ask the seller directly what, if anything, is covered and inspect condition closely before buying.
How long does it take to get office furniture?
It depends on the tier. At Office Station, liquidation-grade workstations can ship in as little as 72 hours when in stock, remanufactured usually takes 7-14 days, and new typically takes 4-6 weeks.
What do condition grades mean for pre-owned furniture?
Office Station uses three grades: A is like new, B is very good and C is good. Ask for the grade on every item in your quote, and match higher grades to client-facing areas.
Is there a discount for buying many workstations?
Larger orders are quoted together, and your quantity is reflected in the written quote. Ask any seller to show in writing how volume is applied before you sign.
