The first time you set out to buy cubicles – also known as systems furniture – you may develop a serious case of sticker shock. New office cubes from leading brand names can cost $2,500 to $5,000 or more per station, which is way beyond the budget of many small to medium sized companies. But don’t start setting up your employees on folding tables just yet: remanufactured cubes are practically indistinguishable from new cubes at a much more economical price.

Generally speaking, the systems furniture food chain starts with very large companies buying new office cubes directly from manufacturers. As they go through layoffs or office moves, they sell those cubes back to dealers. The dealers then resell the remanufactured cubicles to small and mid-sized companies for as little as half their original cost. It is a well-established cycle: more than half of the systems furniture market is for remanufactured cubicles.

Buying remanufactured cubes isn’t like buying a used car – you don’t have to choose from what’s on the lot. Just like buying new, you’ll be able to pick a brand and model of office cube and select the fabrics and colors you like. In some cases, you’ll actually have more choices of fabric and finishes than you would buying new.

The reason for this is that during the remanufacturing process, the used office furniture and accessories are completely taken apart and inspected. Metal parts are sanded and painted or powder coated. Fabric is completely replaced, work surfaces are refinished, and any missing or damaged parts are supplied. Accessories such as filing pedestals and shelves are often installed brand-new.

Because of this complete refurbishing, choosing remanufactured cubes is an excellent way to save money without sacrificing quality. Remanufactured cubicles often come with the same warranty they had when they were new – even lifetime warranties, in some cases. Also, custom remanufacturing jobs can often be turned around more quickly than new orders.

What are the cost savings? On average, remanufactured office cubes cost 30% to 50% less than similar new systems. Unless you’re buying lots of 1,000 office cubes or more – which can get you steep discounts from manufacturers – remanufactured cubes offer the best combination of quality and price.

For additional savings, more budget-minded businesses can opt for “as-is” cubes from used office furniture dealers. You give up the ability to choose exactly what fabrics you want, but the dealer still cleans the office cubes, repairs any significant damage, and supplies missing pieces. You’ll save money this way, especially if you don’t particularly care what the cubes look like or even if they match. However, you won’t get the same type of warranties on these systems, if you get any warranty at all.

Whether you want new, remanufactured, or as-is cubes, BuyerZone.com can connect you to the right supplier.