Retrofit Desks to Be Height Adjustable
A standing desk retrofit turns the cubicles, private offices and desks you already own into sit-stand workstations. We take off the fixed legs, keep your existing work surfaces and mount them on height adjustable bases. Pacific Ergonomics has specified and installed ergonomic workstations for over two decades for corporate offices, universities, government agencies and biotech companies, from one department to entire floors.
The base makes or breaks the retrofit. Many bases don’t have enough range to put both a petite and a tall employee at the correct keyboard height, seated or standing. We size each base to the top, a two leg base for straight desks or a three leg base for large L-shaped and corner desks. Then we match adaptors to your existing furniture and check leg clearance against OSHA’s computer workstation desk guidelines before anything is ordered.
Turnkey, anywhere in the U.S. We handle the site survey, specification, procurement, delivery and installation as one accountable process. Pacific Ergonomics is a certified woman-owned small business.
Plan Your Standing Desk Retrofit
Why Retrofit Instead of Replacing Your Workstations
Your furniture often has years of life left. Panels, tops and storage rarely wear out at the same time as the need for sit-stand desks shows up. A retrofit keeps what works and changes only the legs, so you get sit-stand workstations for much less than new systems furniture, with less downtime and far less furniture sent to the landfill.
Every employee gets their own keyboard height. People can move between sitting and standing through the day, and each person sets the surface to fit their body. That only works when the base has the range for your whole team, which is why we specify the base before anything else.
Two Leg or Three Leg Base: What Your Desk Needs
Two leg bases fit straight, rectangular tops, the most common cubicle and private office work surface. See our adjustable height desk base options.
Three leg bases carry large L-shaped and corner desks. The third leg supports the return, so the whole surface lifts level and stays stable at standing height. See the 3 leg height adjustable standing desk base.
We measure every top before we specify. Size, shape, thickness and condition decide which base works and whether the top can take new mounting hardware.
Cubicle and Systems Furniture Retrofits
In most cubicles, the work surface hangs from the panels. We free the top from its panel brackets, mount it on its own base and set clearances so it moves up and down without catching on panels, overhead storage or fixed pedestals. We work with systems furniture of all types and bring the adaptors to fit yours.
Planning a full reconfiguration instead? See our sit-stand cubicles and modern office cubicles.
Private Office Desk Retrofits
Private office desks are larger and built differently. Many have returns, attached pedestals or modesty panels. We check how the desk is built, separate the work surface from anything fixed and match a base rated for the size and weight of the top. The office keeps its look, and the person using it gets a desk that stands.
Some desks can’t be converted. Built-in casegoods and tops that are too thin or damaged are the usual examples. For those, we recommend a desktop standing converter or a new top on a height adjustable base.
How a Standing Desk Retrofit Works
- Site survey. We measure tops, check panel attachments, clearances and power, and count what can be reused.
- Specification. We match each workstation to a two or three leg base with the height range your employees need, plus adaptors and cable management.
- Proposal. You get one quote covering bases, hardware, delivery and installation.
- Installation. Our install teams remove the fixed legs, mount the tops, set sitting and standing presets and route cords so they move with the desk. We plan the work around your schedule, one department or an entire floor at a time. Learn more about our commercial furniture installation.
- Removal. Old legs and brackets can go through our furniture recycling service.
Who a Standing Desk Retrofit Is For
- Facilities, EHS and HR teams who need sit-stand workstations for a whole department without a new furniture budget
- Companies answering ergonomic accommodation requests who want one consistent solution instead of one-off purchases
- Organizations with good systems furniture they plan to keep
- Teams moving into a space where the furniture is already in place
Pair the Retrofit With an Ergonomic Assessment
If employees already report discomfort, an office ergonomic assessment shows who needs what before you order. We can add chairs, monitor arms and keyboard trays so the whole workstation fits the person, not just the desk height.
Standing Desk Retrofit FAQ
Can every desk be retrofitted to stand?
Most can. Tops that are cracked, too thin to hold new mounting screws, or built into casegoods usually can’t. When a desk can’t be converted, we recommend a desktop standing converter or a new top on a height adjustable base.
How do you choose between a two leg and a three leg base?
It depends on the shape and size of the top. Straight, rectangular desks use a two leg base. Large L-shaped and corner desks need a three leg base so the return is supported and the surface stays level and stable at standing height.
Does a retrofit work with our existing cubicle brand?
Yes. We work with systems furniture of all types. During the site survey we check how your work surfaces attach to the panels and bring the adaptors needed to mount them on new bases.
What does a standing desk retrofit cost?
Cost depends on the number of workstations, the base type and the condition of your tops. Because you keep your panels, tops and storage, you pay for bases, hardware and installation instead of new furniture. We quote after a site survey so the price reflects your actual furniture.
What happens to cords and power when the desk moves?
We route and manage cords so they travel with the desk through its full range. If power runs through your panels, we plan cord length and slack during the site survey so nothing pulls loose at standing height.
Do you do standing desk retrofits outside California?
Yes. Pacific Ergonomics delivers standing desk retrofits turnkey anywhere in the U.S., from the site survey through installation.
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Plan Your Standing Desk Retrofit
Tell us how many workstations you have and what they’re built from. We’ll tell you what can be reused and what it takes to make them sit-stand, anywhere in the U.S.
Or call 619-546-0872.
