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.

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.

Why Buying Cheap Costs More: The Long-Term Value of Quality Refurbished Furniture

By Ida Gorecka • July 30, 2025
You’re in the middle of planning an office space. Budgets are tight. Lead times are short. It’s tempting to type “cheap office chairs” into your browser and find something that fits the spreadsheet. But here’s the problem: cheap furniture is rarely cheap in the long run . The market is saturated with budget desks, chairs, and storage that look good online, but fall apart in practice. And when they do, they cost more - more to replace, more to dispose of, more to fix (if that’s even possible), and more in lost time and productivity. It’s a vicious cycle that undermines your budget, timeline, and any potential ESG goals. According to WRAP , the UK disposes of over 200,000 tonnes of office furniture every year - much of it barely used. When furniture fails quickly, so does your investment. In a commercial setting, that failure shows up in missed deadlines, spiralling budgets, and sustainability goals slipping out of reach. So before you hit "order" on another bulk buy of flat-packed furniture, take a moment. In this article, you'll learn the hidden costs of cheap office furniture and why refurbished premium office furniture is the smarter alternative. If you're looking to reduce hassle, save money, and build a workspace that actually lasts, keep on reading. Need help getting started? Get in touch with our team for advice, audits, or to browse our refurbished stock .

Refurbished Office Furniture Saves Overbury Over £2000 on Site Setup Costs

By Ida Gorecka • July 18, 2025
Anyone who's worked in construction knows that site setup costs can quickly spiral. For Overbury , one of the UK's leading fit-out and refurbishment specialists, managing these costs while maintaining professional standards is a constant balancing act. When setting up their latest construction site office, they faced a challenge familiar to many in the industry: creating a functional workspace quickly and cost-effectively. After seeing what we achieved together on their previous project, Overbury approached us with clear priorities - they needed a professional office setup delivered on a construction timeline. With tight deadlines to meet and costs to manage, they needed their office space ready quickly while avoiding the expense and environmental impact of buying new office furniture. Like many construction projects, this one came with complex requirements - specific layouts, tight timelines, and budget constraints - yet Overbury knew from experience that refurbished office furniture could deliver exactly what they needed.