Case Studies

How Recon Saved a Client 25% on Office Decommissioning

Posted on by Admin
09
Aug

Case Study: How Recon Furniture & Relocation Saved a Client 25% on Office Decommissioning Costs

The Client

A mid-sized marketing agency in New York City was downsizing from a 15,000 sq. ft. Manhattan office to a smaller, hybrid-friendly space. With only 45 days to vacate, they faced a tight timeline, strict building access rules, and a commercial lease requiring the space to be returned “broom swept” — meaning all furniture, fixtures, cabling, and equipment had to be removed, and the space restored to its original condition.

The Challenge

The agency initially contacted a standard moving company to handle their relocation. The mover provided a quote for transporting the items they were taking to the new space — but offered no plan for furniture disassembly, liquidation, or disposal of the large volume of items left behind. Without a strategy, the client was looking at:

  • High disposal fees for unwanted items

  • Lost value from assets that could be resold or donated

  • Risk of missing the lease deadline, leading to costly holdover penalties

They needed a partner who understood the full scope of office decommissioning — not just moving. That’s when Recon Furniture & Relocation stepped in.

Our Approach

1. Detailed Site Assessment & Inventory

Before lifting a single desk, our team began with a comprehensive site assessment to understand the full scope of the decommissioning project. This step is crucial for identifying every asset in the space and determining its best path forward — whether resale, donation, recycling, or disposal. By walking the site and documenting each category, we were able to create a clear, actionable plan that prioritized value recovery and minimized waste. We ensured we stayed on track to meet the client’s 45-day deadline.

Our team performed a comprehensive walk-through to identify:

  • Furniture worth reselling (executive desks, conference tables, ergonomic chairs)

  • Items suitable for donation (breakroom tables, shelving, reception seating)

  • Assets requiring recycling or disposal (damaged workstations, outdated electronics)

  • We categorized each item based on resale, donation, recycling, or disposal potential — and built a timeline to meet the 45-day exit requirement.

2. Furniture Disassembly & Asset Liquidation

With the plan in place, our crew got to work breaking down large furniture systems for resale. We know that professional disassembly not only makes removal safer and more efficient but also preserves resale value for high-quality items. By tapping into our established national resale network, we were able to match assets with interested buyers quickly, maximizing returns and reducing unnecessary labor and storage costs.

  • Disassembled over 60 modular workstations and packaged them for resale.
  • Coordinated with our national resale network to secure buyers for high-value furniture, recovering 15% of total decommissioning costs through liquidation revenue.

  • Arranged direct pickup from buyers, eliminating extra handling or storage fees.

3. Donation Partnerships

Not every item holds strong resale value, but that doesn’t mean it belongs in a landfill. We actively seek out reputable charities and nonprofit organizations that can put gently used office furniture to good use. For this project, we coordinated donations that not only supported community programs but also reduced hauling costs and improved sustainability metrics for the client.

We contacted local charities and nonprofit organizations in NYC who could reuse the furniture:

  • Donated 20 task chairs, 6 conference tables, and shelving units to a community learning center. (which resulted in a donation in kind deduction for client)
  • Arranged pickup schedules to align with our disassembly timeline — keeping the project moving and the building clear.

The donations not only kept items out of the landfill but also saved the client an additional 8% in hauling costs.

4. Responsible Recycling & Disposal

For assets with no resale or donation potential, we ensured they were handled in an environmentally responsible way. This included partnering with certified e-waste recyclers for electronics and arranging for proper recycling of metal and mixed materials. Our process guaranteed full compliance with New York City’s strict disposal regulations, eliminating any risk of fines or project delays.

  • Partnered with certified e-waste recyclers for old monitors, printers, and servers.

  • Coordinated metal and mixed-material recycling for items with no resale or donation value.

  • Ensured compliance with NYC disposal regulations, avoiding fines and delays.

5. Final Broom Sweep & Lease Compliance

The last step was restoring the space to the exact standards required in the client’s commercial lease. Our team handled every finishing touch, from removing the last bits of debris to vacuuming carpets and patching wall holes. We even removed all IT cabling as required. By coordinating a final walk-through with the property manager, we confirmed the space met every condition for turnover — ensuring our client received their full security deposit back.

Once all items were removed, our crew:

  • Vacuumed carpets, removed debris, and patched small wall holes.

  • Removed all IT cabling per lease requirements.

  • Conducted a final inspection with the building’s property manager to confirm the space met full lease return conditions.

The Results

By managing the project from start to finish — including liquidation, donation, recycling, and final cleanup — Recon Furniture & Relocation reduced the client’s total decommissioning costs by 25% compared to their original moving-only plan.

Savings Breakdown:

  • 15% recovered from asset liquidation

  • 8% saved through donation-related hauling cost reduction

  • 2% saved by avoiding building fines and holdover penalties

Outcome:

  • Space vacated 3 days ahead of schedule

  • Full security deposit returned

  • Over 5 tons of furniture diverted from the landfill

Key Takeaways

This project highlights why choosing a specialized office decommissioning company matters. Standard movers focus on what’s being relocated. Recon focuses on everything — from maximizing asset value to ensuring you meet your lease obligations.

If you’re facing an office closure or relocation, our process doesn’t just save you time — it saves you money, stress, and keeps you in compliance.

Ready to save on your office decommissioning? Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote and see how much we can recover for you.