When your office lease ends, one of the biggest challenges is deciding what to do with your office furniture. If you’re relocating, downsizing, or closing the office, you might end up with desks, chairs, workstations, shelving, and storage units that need to be removed. When you’re moving to a new space, chances are you’re upgrading at least some of your furniture.
Here’s a handy list of everything you’ll need to do at the end of an office lease.
Leaving old pieces of furniture behind is rarely an option. This is because most lease agreements require you to vacate the property completely and return it to its original condition (the makegood provision). Therefore, you will need to deal with this old furniture at some point, preferably in a stress-free, cost-effective, and efficient manner.
At Melbourne City Rubbish, our team works with businesses across the CBD and surrounding areas to manage office furniture removal quickly and professionally, ensuring you meet your lease obligations without unnecessary stress.
This is how to dispose of office furniture
If you are wondering how to get rid of office furniture at the end of a lease, your approach will depend on the condition of the items, your timeline, and whether you have storage space available. Here are four options worth exploring.
Book an expert commercial rubbish removal service
For many businesses, the simplest and most efficient solution is to book a professional office furniture disposal service. This takes care of all the heavy lifting, transport, and disposal, saving you time and effort.
Melbourne City Rubbish can handle office furniture collection from high-rise offices, laneways, and other locations with tricky access. We also prioritise office furniture recycling, ensuring that reusable materials such as timber, metal, and plastic are recovered rather than sent to landfill.
This option is ideal if you have a tight deadline, a large quantity of items, or bulky pieces that are difficult to move.
Try and donate it
If your office furniture is still in good condition, donating it can be a great way to give back to the community while avoiding waste. Many charities, schools, and community organisations accept second-hand furniture, though they may have restrictions on size or condition.
You will need to arrange transport or delivery unless the organisation offers a collection service. Keep in mind that you should confirm acceptance before delivering, as unplanned drop-offs are often refused.
Try and sell it
Selling your used office furniture can help you recover some value from your investment. Options include online marketplaces, commercial furniture resellers, or auctions.
However, selling can take time, especially if you need to coordinate with multiple buyers or deal with slow responses. You will also need to factor in dismantling and transport. If you are on a tight deadline, this may not be practical for large quantities of furniture.
Try to relocate it to your new space
If you are moving to a new office, relocating some or all of your furniture can be cost-effective. This works best if the items suit your new space and are still in good working condition.
A full business relocation does require additional logistics, such as dismantling large pieces, booking transport, and ensuring the furniture fits your new floor plan. This is often best handled by professional movers to avoid damage.
Why expert office furniture removal is the best option
While selling, donating, or relocating can work in some situations, booking a professional office furniture junk removal service is often the most practical choice. Here is why:
It saves time and effort
Managing an office relocation, refurbishment, or closure is already a demanding process. There are timelines to meet, IT systems to relocate, and countless other logistical tasks to coordinate. By outsourcing office furniture removal to professionals, you remove one of the biggest time-consuming jobs from your to-do list.
There is no need to organise transport, hire equipment, or arrange access for multiple people. Experienced removal teams are used to navigating CBD loading docks, restricted lift access, and other tricky building requirements, ensuring the process is completed with minimal disruption to your operations.
It ensures compliance with your lease
Most commercial property leases include “make good” clauses requiring tenants to return the space to its original condition before handover. This often means every desk, chair, and cabinet must be removed, leaving nothing behind.
Professional removalists understand these obligations and can ensure your space is completely cleared, cleaned, and ready for inspection. This reduces the risk of disputes with your landlord or unexpected end-of-lease charges, helping you finalise your move smoothly and on time.
It supports sustainability
Dumping unwanted office furniture in landfill is not only wasteful, it is increasingly frowned upon by clients, employees, and the community. A reputable removal service will prioritise office furniture recycling and reuse wherever possible.
At Melbourne City Rubbish, we carefully dismantle furniture and sort materials like metal, timber, and plastic for recycling. Where possible, usable pieces are donated to local charities or community groups, helping businesses meet their sustainability goals and enhance their corporate social responsibility profile.
It handles large or difficult jobs
If your office spans multiple floors, or includes oversized conference tables, heavy storage cabinets, or bulky partitions, removal can quickly turn into a back-breaking and potentially unsafe job.
Professional teams have the equipment, vehicles, and trained staff to dismantle, carry, and transport large or awkward items without damaging your building or risking injury. Whether you are clearing a small office or an entire multi-level premises, a professional service ensures the job is completed efficiently, safely, and to a high standard.
Get a quote for office furniture removal in Melbourne
If you are reaching the end of your lease and need help managing office furniture disposal, Melbourne City Rubbish can provide a fast, reliable, and sustainable solution. We offer office furniture collection across the CBD and surrounding areas, handling everything from a single floor to entire office buildings.
Get a quote today for office furniture removal in Melbourne.
