Quality Assurance in Refurbished Office Furniture: What Standards Should You Expect as a Facilities Manager?

Ida Gorecka • April 9, 2025

Did you know premium office chairs are designed to last 15+ years, yet most are replaced every 5? As a facilities manager balancing workspace planning, budget, and sustainability goals, you're constantly challenged to deliver quality affordably. What if you could cut furniture costs in half without compromising quality or ESG targets?


Today's refurbished office furniture isn't what you might imagine. Modern refurbishment transforms quality second-hand pieces to look and perform like new, while saving money and reducing your carbon footprint.


How can you ensure you're getting genuine quality when choosing refurbished pieces? Let's break down what you should expect when sourcing second-hand office furniture for your next project.

Why Premium Office Furniture Brands Make the Best Refurbishment Candidates

Quality office furniture from manufacturers like Herman Miller, Steelcase, and Vitra is built to last decades, not years. These premium brands use strong materials and modular designs specifically created for future refurbishment and heavy use.


Look inside a quality office chair during refurbishment, and you'll find that even after years of use, the core mechanisms often work well and are in need of only minor repairs. The gas lifts, tilt mechanisms, and structural components - the parts that matter - usually have plenty of life left.


This longevity explains why a refurbished Herman Miller Aeron can deliver the same ergonomic benefits and durability as a new model at a lower price. In fact, the Aeron was specifically designed with 94% recyclable materials and modular construction to enable future refurbishment.


Your perfect refurbished Aeron is waiting in our warehouse right now. Click here to browse our collection of expertly restored second-hand office chairs waiting for their new home.

The Refurbishment Process: How Quality Second-Hand Office Furniture Becomes Like-New

At Coggin SOS, we approach office furniture refurbishment like restoring a premium car - every component gets thoroughly checked, tested, and either restored or replaced. 


Here's what happens when a piece of second-hand office furniture enters our workshop:


1. Complete Disassembly & Inspection - Each piece is taken apart, with every component individually assessed.


2. Thorough Cleaning - All surfaces are deep-cleaned using industrial-grade processes.


3. Mechanical Restoration - Moving parts like gas lifts, levers, and mechanisms are tested and either repaired or replaced.


4. Cosmetic Renewal - Fabric is replaced, scratches removed, and surfaces refinished to original manufacturer specifications.


5. Quality Testing - Each piece undergoes rigorous functional testing before receiving our 12-month guarantee.


When a chair or desk leaves our workshop, it's ready for years of reliable daily use. Every mechanism, adjustment feature and surface is brought back to original specifications.


Wondering if refurbished office furniture is right for you? Read this guide to find out!

Common Misconceptions About Refurbished Office Furniture Quality

Many facilities managers initially worry about the quality of refurbished office furniture. Let's address the most common concerns:


"Refurbished means lower quality" - Actually, older second-hand refurbished items from premium brands can be better quality than many new budget options. They've already proven their durability by withstanding years of use, while many newer budget items start deteriorating within months.


"It won't last as long as new" - Premium office furniture is designed for a 15-20 year lifespan. After professional refurbishment, these pieces typically deliver another 10+ years of service - far longer than most businesses keep their furniture.


"Staff will notice it's not new" - At Coggin SOS, our refurbishment process restores furniture to such high standards that most people can't tell the difference between new and our refurbished pieces. 


Still have questions? Contact us today and we'll explain how our refurbished pieces match new quality at half the cost.


Is cheap office furniture actually costing your business more? Find out in this article why it’s better to choose quality refurbished options.

Making the Best Possible Office Furniture Choice for Your Facility

As a facilities manager, your decisions impact workspace quality, budget efficiency, and ESG targets. By choosing refurbished office furniture from Coggin SOS, you can excel in all three areas without compromise.


Our quality standards ensure you receive furniture that:


  • Performs like new
  • Looks professional
  • Comes with a 12-month guarantee
  • Saves you money and time
  • Supports your sustainability targets


Want to see how much you could save while maintaining premium quality standards? Contact our team today for a no-obligation assessment of your furniture needs.

Reworking Workspaces: How Refurbished and Resized Office Desks Save Money and the Planet

By Ida Gorecka • June 2, 2025
Our approach to workspace design is evolving as organisations recognise the enormous waste and environmental impact of the traditional "buy new, dispose later" furniture cycle. Every year, organisations across the UK retire thousands of perfectly usable office desks-not because they’re damaged, but due to layout changes, branding updates, or relocations. These desks often end up in landfills , despite being made from valuable materials that require large amounts of energy and resources to produce. This disposable mentality is costing your business money AND damaging the planet by wasting valuable resources. But what if there was a solution that saved you money while reducing your carbon footprint ? By choosing refurbished and resized office desks, you can make smarter, more sustainable choices that help reduce waste , cut costs , and create premium-quality offices - all without the lengthy lead times that accompany new furniture purchases. If you've never considered refurbished desks before, you're in the right place to learn why they should be your obvious choice for your next project. But even if you have, keep reading for valuable insights into how refurbished and resized desks can improve sustainability initiatives, maximise cost savings, and support long-term business goals. Curious to see what’s available? Browse our current inventory of high-quality refurbished desks-updated daily and ready for fast delivery.

Finding the Balance: Quality Seating Without the Environmental Cost

By Ida Gorecka • May 25, 2025
Did you know that the average office worker spends around 1,700 hours a year sitting in their chair? That's a staggering 70% of your working life spent in a single piece of furniture. Yet many organisations overlook the importance of quality seating, either settling for cheap chairs that quickly deteriorate or spending a fortune on brand new premium options. Refurbished office chairs offer the perfect balance of comfort , quality , and sustainability that today's offices need. At Coggin SOS, we've helped hundreds of organisations discover that you don't need to compromise on quality to make environmentally conscious choices. In fact, opting for refurbished office chairs can provide high-quality seating at up to 80% less than the cost of buying new. In this article, we’ll explore why refurbished office chairs aren’t just a good option-they're often the smarter one. From environmental impact that can tick off your ESG targets to ergonomic design and cost savings, this is your guide to finding the perfect seat. Our warehouse is stocked with top-brand refurbished chairs - ready to deliver in days, not weeks. Get in touch to check availability.

Closing the Loop: How Office Furniture Can Drive the Circular Economy Forward

By Ida Gorecka • May 19, 2025
Ever thought about how your office furniture connects to sustainability ? Probably not. But perhaps you should. The circular economy isn't some distant concept only relevant to manufacturing giants or packaging companies. It's a practical model that directly impacts how you furnish, update, and clear your office. At its heart, the circular economy challenges you to keep materials in use. It's your chance to reject the standard "buy, use, discard" approach that has dominated the industry for decades. It's your opportunity to turn office furniture from a recurring cost into a lasting asset. At Coggin SOS, we partner with organisations like yours across the UK, helping you transition to a circular furnishing model: refurbishing , reusing , and responsibly recycling your office furniture. Our mission is straightforward: help you make your furniture last longer, cost less, and waste nothing. Explore our wide range of refurbished office furniture in our inventory . You'll find quality, sustainability, and value, all waiting for you in one place.