The Hidden Costs of Buying New: Why Refurbished Office Furniture is the Smarter Investment

Ida Gorecka • June 30, 2025

Planning your next office fit-out? Before you commit to that £50,000 furniture budget, consider this: the UK office furniture market reached £3.24 billion in 2024 (source), yet businesses are increasingly discovering that the "obvious" choice isn't always the smartest one.


You’ve likely priced up premium ergonomic chairs at £800-£1,200, desks starting at £2,000, and meeting tables from £3,000+. Leading brands like Herman Miller and Steelcase come with quality-but also long lead times, hidden costs, and potential delays that can hold up your entire fit-out.


But here’s what those new furniture quotes don’t mention: the true cost goes far beyond the price tag. Hidden expenses, long lead times, and missed opportunities can add up to serious disruption, something savvy businesses are now avoiding. On the other hand, refurbished office furniture that delivers the same premium quality, ergonomic support, and professional look-at 50-80% less, and available in days, not months.


In this article, we’ll unpack the hidden costs of buying new and explain why choosing refurbished furniture is a strategic, value-driven decision for your office.


If you're looking to save money, time, and hassle on your next office fit-out, get in touch or browse our refurbished range today.

The True Cost of Buying New: Hidden Expenses You Haven't Considered

When you're quoted £800 for a new Herman Miller chair or £2,000 for a premium desk, that's just the beginning. Here are the hidden costs that can double your actual investment:

Extended Lead Times Mean Lost Productivity


Office furniture lead times can be as long as 20 weeks now, and this isn't just an inconvenience; it's a business cost. Every week your team works with substandard furniture affects productivity, comfort, and even health.


Storage and Project Management Costs


New furniture rarely arrives as a complete delivery. You'll need:


  • Temporary storage for early deliveries
  • Project management time to coordinate multiple deliveries
  • Staff time to manage installations and setup
  • Disruption costs during the extended installation period


For a typical 50-person office, these hidden costs can add £3,000-£5,000 to your project budget.


Financing and Cash Flow Impact


With high cost of borrowing disincentivising investment into new offices and furniture, the cash flow impact of major furniture purchases hits harder than ever. Even if you're not financing the purchase, tying up £50,000+ in furniture means that capital isn't available for revenue-generating activities.


Depreciation Begins Immediately


New office furniture typically depreciates 20-30% the moment it's delivered, similar to a new car. Your £50,000 investment becomes worth £35,000-£40,000 instantly, representing an immediate loss of £10,000-£15,000 in value.


Want to see the real financial impact? Get in touch to discuss a free cost comparison showing exactly how much refurbished furniture could save your business.

Why Refurbished Office Furniture Eliminates These Hidden Costs

While new furniture creates a cascade of hidden expenses, refurbished office furniture for professional office spaces addresses each of these issues directly:


Immediate Availability Means Immediate Productivity


Professional refurbished furniture is typically available within 7-10 days, not weeks. This means:


  • No productivity loss during extended wait times
  • No need for temporary furniture solutions
  • No project management complexity across multiple deliveries
  • Immediate return on your furniture investment


Transparent, All-Inclusive Pricing


Quality refurbished furniture providers offer complete solutions with no hidden costs:


  • Delivery and installation included
  • No storage requirements
  • Comprehensive 12 month warranties
  • Single-point project management


Superior Cash Flow Management


Instead of tying up thousands of £ in depreciating assets, refurbished office furniture allows you to:


  • Invest much less for the same quality setup
  • Maintain cash flow for business growth
  • Avoid financing costs and interest payments
  • Reduce capital requirements for expansion


And if you're still unsure about going refurbished, here's why second-hand doesn’t mean second-rate.


Proven Value Retention


Refurbished furniture has already absorbed its initial depreciation. A quality refurbished Herman Miller chair that costs £400 will retain most of its value, while a new £1,000 chair immediately drops to £700-£800 in resale value.


Comprehensive Warranty Protection


Professional refurbishment includes warranties that often exceed those offered with new furniture. At Coggin SOS, our 12-month warranty covers aspects of furniture performance, giving you greater protection than many new furniture warranties.

Curious about specific savings for your office? Contact us for a detailed cost comparison based on your exact requirements.

Professional Quality Without Compromise: The Refurbishment Advantage

The biggest concern about refurbished office furniture is whether it can truly deliver the professional appearance and functionality your business requires. Here's why refurbished furniture often exceeds expectations:


Professional Refurbishment Exceeds Original Standards


At Coggin SOS, our refurbishment process often results in furniture that performs just as good as new:


  • Complete Disassembly: Every component is separated and inspected
  • Component Replacement: All wear parts are replaced with new manufacturer-standard parts
  • Deep Cleaning: Industrial cleaning processes remove all traces of previous use
  • Reupholstery: New commercial-grade fabrics in your choice of colors
  • Quality Control: Rigorous testing ensures like-new performance
  • Warranty: 12-month guarantee on all refurbished pieces


Customisation Options Exceed New Furniture


Because refurbished furniture is completely rebuilt, customisation options are often more extensive than with new furniture:


  • Custom colour matching to your brand palette
  • Fabric selection from premium commercial ranges
  • Mechanism upgrades for enhanced functionality
  • Desk sizing modifications for specific requirements


Want high-end looks without the high-end price? Click here to see how refurbished furniture delivers luxury for less.


Proven Durability in Professional Environments


Refurbished furniture has already proven its durability in real-world professional environments. Unlike new furniture that might reveal design flaws or manufacturing defects, refurbished pieces have demonstrated their reliability through years of use.


Many of our clients report that colleagues and visitors cannot distinguish between our refurbished furniture and new pieces-the quality and appearance are identical.


Ready to see the quality for yourself? Browse our current inventory of premium refurbished furniture or get in touch to schedule a showroom visit.

Market Trends: Why UK Businesses Are Embracing Refurbished Solutions

The shift toward refurbished office furniture for professional office spaces isn't just about cost savings, but also about aligning with market trends that define successful modern businesses:


Sustainability as a Competitive Advantage


Growing interest in furniture that supports the circular economy, where products are designed to be reused, refurbished, or recycled at the end of their lifecycle, positions refurbished furniture as a strategic choice rather than just a cost-saving measure.


More and more businesses use their furniture choices to demonstrate:


  • Environmental leadership to clients and partners
  • Employee values alignment
  • Brand differentiation in competitive markets
  • ESG compliance for stakeholder reporting


Curious how you could embrace the circular economy in your workspace? Go to our Learning Centre and get access to downloadable resources, videos, and quizzes.


Flexible Work Needs Flexible Furniture


Hybrid working demands adaptable office setups. Refurbished furniture offers:


  • Lower investment for easier reconfiguration
  • Fast availability for quick changes
  • Budget headroom for tech and workspace upgrades
  • Freedom to trial layouts without heavy commitments


Smart Spending in Uncertain Times


With rising prices since 2022, cost-effective solutions matter more than ever. Businesses that make every pound count are better prepared for:


  • Economic downturns
  • Market shifts
  • Competitive pressure
  • Seizing new opportunities


Speed to Market 


With UK office furniture revenue set to grow 4.2% in 2024-25 (source), businesses that move quickly will gain ground. Refurbished furniture’s fast availability supports rapid expansion and setup.


Want to see how refurbished furniture can support your strategy? Get in touch to explore smarter, faster, and more sustainable solutions.

How to Choose Refurbished Office Furniture That Delivers Professional Results

Partner with Established Specialists


Not all refurbished furniture providers are equal. Look for companies that offer:


  • Comprehensive warranties (minimum 12 months)
  • Detailed refurbishment processes
  • Proven track record with professional clients
  • Transparent pricing and detailed documentation


At Coggin SOS, we've built our reputation on delivering refurbished furniture that meets the highest professional standards. Our clients include everyone from startups to major corporations who demand quality without compromise.


Focus on Premium Brands


Some of the best chairs include the Herman Miller Aeron, Herman Miller Embody, Steelcase Leap, and Steelcase Gesture, and these brands are specifically designed for refurbishment. Their modular construction and premium materials ensure that refurbished versions deliver the same performance as new furniture.


Prioritise Ergonomic Essentials


Professional office furniture should support productivity and employee well-being:


  • Adjustable seating with proper lumbar support
  • Height-adjustable desks for varied working positions
  • Adequate storage for organised workspaces
  • Meeting furniture that encourages collaboration


Verify Quality Standards


Ensure your refurbished furniture meets professional standards:


  • Request detailed refurbishment process documentation
  • Ask for client references and case studies
  • Inspect sample pieces before large orders
  • Confirm warranty terms and conditions


Considering choosing refurbished? Our team can guide you through the selection process and ensure you get the perfect solution for your professional office space.


Contact Coggin SOS today for expert advice on choosing the right refurbished office furniture for your needs.

One Size Doesn't Fit All: The Benefits of Resizing and Repurposing Office Desks

By Ida Gorecka • September 8, 2025
Your office transformation is approved. Budget's signed off. New layout's finalised. There's just one problem: those 1600mm executive desks that worked perfectly in the old corner offices are now 400mm too wide for your new collaborative pods. The reception desk you spent £3,000 on last year? It's the wrong height entirely for your rebrand. Most facilities managers would see this as a disposal problem. Skip hire , landfill tax , 12-week lead times for replacements. But what if that's completely backwards? What if the furniture that doesn't fit isn't a problem to solve, but an asset to unlock? Every year in the UK, around 1.2 million desks and 1.8 million office chairs are sent to landfill and only 14 % of them are being reused (Source: WRAP , Lancashire Business View ). Those old, "wrong-sized" desks you're planning to skip? They can be professionally refurbished and resized to your exact specifications in 7-10 days , at 40-70% less than new , with zero waste and a 12-month warranty . This article is for facilities managers, procurement leads, and fit-out teams who want practical, product-focused solutions. You’ll see when resizing and repurposing makes sense, the savings it delivers, the compliance boxes it ticks, and how to roll it out step by step. Curious what your current desks could deliver if resized or refurbished? Book a free assessment - we’ll map options, costs, and timelines for you.

Why Paying More Isn't Always Better: The Smart Choice of Refurbished Ergonomic Chairs

By Ida Gorecka • August 19, 2025
Refitting an office today means juggling a lot: tighter budgets, faster timelines, and pressure to deliver on ESG goals. And when it comes to ergonomic chairs, the one piece of furniture an office team relies on every day, many assume paying more for “new” automatically means better. But that’s no longer true. Refurbished ergonomic chairs offer the same comfort , durability , and support as new, backed by warranties , come with less cost and with far shorter lead times . For facilities and procurement teams, that means more budget freed up for other priorities, and fewer delays holding back your project. At Coggin SOS, we work with organisations that once assumed refurbished meant second-best. Until they saw the results. High-performance, fully warranted ergonomic chairs. Fast delivery. Circular outcomes they could actually report on. And savings of up to 80% compared to new (check out our case studies here ). In this article, you’ll learn what refurbished office chairs really offer in practice, why they’re becoming a preferred option for FM teams and procurement leads, and how your next fit-out or move could be both greener and smarter than you think. Thinking about your next office project? Contact our team and see how premium refurbished ergonomic chairs can give you comfort, savings, and sustainability in one.

Beyond Recycling: The Role of Office Furniture in a Truly Sustainable Economy

By Ida Gorecka • August 7, 2025
If you're here, you're probably managing a lot. A relocation, a refurbishment, or a growing ESG brief. Maybe you’re under pressure to meet sustainability targets, stay on budget, and deliver results your team and clients can actually see. And right now, office furniture might not be on your radar. But it should be. In most organisations, furniture is still treated as an afterthought. It’s functional, it’s bulky, and when it’s no longer needed, it’s often sent straight to landfill. But here’s the truth: when you start thinking of office furniture as a strategic asset within the circular economy , everything changes. For your budget . Your carbon reporting . Your project timelines . Your reputation . This article is for you if you’re tired of defaulting to skips. If you want smarter ways to meet ESG goals without blowing your budget. If you’re ready to make office sustainability a measurable advantage - not just a checkbox. We’ll show you just how much office furniture is wasted each year, what it’s really costing your business, and how the circular economy can apply directly to your projects. You’ll learn how organisations like yours are saving thousands, avoiding skips entirely, and turning unwanted furniture into reportable ESG wins - plus practical steps to get started today. Curious what your office clearance could be worth? Get in touch with our team for a free circular furniture audit.