Whether you’re furnishing your business’s workspace for the first time or you’re looking to replace a few key pieces, you may be wondering what makes more sense: renting or buying your office furniture. If so, you’ve come to the right place. This article covers all the pros and cons of renting and buying office furniture so that you can make an informed decision. Let’s get started!
Renting Office Furniture
The Advantages of Renting Office Furniture
- If your business is just starting out and you’re strapped for cash, renting office furniture may be a good option for you. The initial upfront cost will be lower than paying out-of-pocket for an office full of brand-new furniture.
- If you like to switch out pieces of furniture frequently to experiment with different looks, renting furniture may appease your whims. Some furniture rental agreements are willing to accommodate some flexibility.
- If your office location is temporary, renting furniture may be ideal. Furniture rental companies deliver and remove the furniture. If you purchase furniture, figuring out the logistics of moving the furniture to a new location will be your responsibility.
- If furniture shopping isn’t your idea of a good time, sourcing all of your office’s furniture from one place may also be a “plus” for you.
The Disadvantages of Renting Office Furniture
- While the upfront cost of furniture rental may be lower than purchasing new furniture, the costs add up over time. You may realize two years into your furniture rental agreement that you could have purchased furniture for the cost you’ve spent on renting furniture.
- Renting furniture can also include all kinds of additional fees, including costs for damages, excessive wear and tear, delivery and removal, insurance, penalties for late payments, and the list goes on.
- If you are in a unique architectural space or have a specific design aesthetic in mind for your office furniture, the style options of rental furniture may fall flat and err on the side of bland.
Buying Office Furniture
The Advantages of Buying Office Furniture
- If your business has the financial means to purchase office furniture, you can choose the exact styles, pieces, and quantities you want to reflect your business’s design aesthetic and culture.
- Purchasing furniture for your office ensures you will not be charged any hidden fees for wear and tear, damages, rental insurance, and the like. Purchasing furniture can also end up saving you money in the long run.
The Disadvantages of Buying Office Furniture
- The initial investment in buying office furniture can be cost-prohibitive for many business owners. Furnishing a whole office—depending on its size—can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more.
- Replacing furniture pieces that are past their prime can also be costly. This can cause you to hold onto old, weathered pieces longer than you’d like. Chipped, scratched, ripped, stained, or misshapen furniture can make a less-than-positive impression on your clients.
- Are you skilled at putting furniture together? If not, you may need to pay someone to assemble your new office furniture for you.
So, there you have it. Which option makes the most sense at this stage in your business’s lifespan—renting or buying furniture? If you’re in the market to purchase your office furniture or you’re looking to update a few pieces, Zoro has a ton of affordable options to choose from.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness, or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand, and follow all manufacturer instructions.