Portable Military Offices

Modular offices are an excellent alternative to conventional stick-built offices in military applications. They are portable, affordable, and can be deployed quickly to serve an immediate need anywhere in the world.

Whether intended to be temporary or permanent, modular buildings are ideal for military offices and administrative space, training space, classrooms, storage, equipment shelters, and Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIF), as well as for barracks and dormitories, kitchens, dining facilities, and showers.

Portable Military Offices

Modular Military Applications

A Modular Building Institute article entitled “Military Goes Modular” discusses some of the unique military applications for modular construction that have been deployed at the U.S. Army’s Fort Dix and the U.S. Coast Guard’s Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C.

Another example is the MILCON Unaccompanied Enlisted Personnel Housing (UEPH) Advanced Individual Training (AIT) Barracks at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. The 116,480-square-foot modular construction project involved a 272 room, 4-story modular building. The barracks facility houses U.S. combat troops and was built to meet the Army’s rigid Anti-Terrorism Force Protection (AT/FP) construction standards and progressive collapse requirements for buildings three stories and above. The building achieved LEED Silver.

Modular Genius, a GSA Schedule Contract Holder GS-07F-0124W in Joppa, MD, has completed many modular building projects for various branches of the U.S. military, including a “green” temporary prefab office building at the U.S. Air Force’s Andrews Air Force Base, a cafeteria/command center at the U.S. Army’s Aberdeen Proving Ground, and large administrative support facilities for the U.S. Navy’s Patuxent River Naval Air Systems Command. They also received a 2013 Award of Distinction from the Modular Building Institute for a dormitory built for the U.S. Coast Guard at Aviations Logistic Center Elizabeth City.

Advantages of Modular Construction 

When faced with rapid troop movement and urgent training requirements, often in remote locations, modular construction offers numerous advantages compared to design-bid-build projects.

  • Can be built to meet Federal government standards for all specific mission requirements, including DoD Minimum Antiterrorism Standards
  • Completion time is 40% faster than stick-built structures
  • Can be manufactured, delivered and installed at a prepared site in a matter of weeks
  • Controlled factory environment minimizes risks from volatile weather, material shortages, vandalism and theft
  • Minimal on-site disruption reduces security risks
  • Higher quality than conventional site-built projects, particularly in areas of the world where skilled labor is unavailable
  • Architectural designs can complement those of existing buildings
  • Innovations include bullet-resistant glass, proximity and position-monitoring door hardware, and pre-wiring for TV and data communication
  • Modules can be securely wrapped and transported from the closest manufacturing facility to a US shipping port for shipment overseas
  • Can be quickly moved and reconfigured, or eliminated when no longer needed
  • Competitive pricing and measurable financial benefits over the life of the facility
  • Unlimited number of designs and floor plans available

Whether you need permanent or portable offices, training centers, barracks, health clinics, or other specialized military facilities, innovative modular buildings can provide an accelerated solution at a fraction of the cost.

Temporary Office Buildings

Efficiency and economy are the objective of all construction projects; but, unlike traditional bricks-and-mortar construction, modular temporary office buildings can, in fact, accomplish this goal.

If your budget and occupancy timeframe won’t permit you to build a conventional stick-built structure, don’t overlook modular offices. Nearly any conceivable design can be achieved – from single-story to multi-story complexes – ranging in size from under 1,000 sq. ft. to more than 20,000 sq. ft., with pre-installed electrical, HVAC, plumbing and fire suppression systems.

Temporary Office Buildings

To demonstrate the innovative capabilities in modular office construction, let’s take a look at several recent winners of Awards of Distinction from the Modular Building Institute, the industry’s premier awards program:

Relocatable modular office buildings from Modular Genius were awarded First Place in 2014. The combined areas, built for the Frelinghuysen Middle School in New Jersey, totaled 4,256 sq. ft., with eight offices, two conference rooms, reception and waiting areas, work rooms, storage rooms, and restrooms.

For enhanced energy efficiency, the buildings were constructed with different insulation materials in the floors, exterior walls, interior walls and roof, an energy efficient rooftop package HVAC system, and high-performance double insulated low E-clear windows with Argon gas. The project was completed in 68 days.

The 27,000 sq. ft. Kamloops Business Office modular office building in British Columbia was installed on First Nations land, so the project’s long-term environmental impact received special attention.

Power smart appliances, bottle-free water filtration, low flow toilets, water based paints and water based adhesives were all used to promote environmental stewardship. Low E windows were installed to promote energy savings. The project houses 104 employee work stations and was completed in 194 days.

Advantages of Modular Construction

Temporary office buildings can be designed and delivered in about half the time it takes to build a conventional building.  They are also far more resource-efficient, and offer:

  • Open designs with better use of natural light
  • Cost savings that average 20%
  • Better control of indoor air quality
  • Efficient automatic sensors for lights and heating systems
  • Energy costs reduced by as much as 10% to 40%
  • No-VOC/ low-VOC wall and floor coverings with fewer toxins
  • Better fire and mold resistance
  • Points earned toward LEED certification
  • Can be relocated, repurposed and/or recycled when no longer needed
  • Useful life of over 50 years with minimal maintenance

Modular buildings are fabricated in a factory at the same time that grading and foundations are being prepared at the construction site. Plumbing and electrical wiring are pre-installed, and quality control inspections are completed before the modules leave the factory. Modules are delivered to the construction site on specialized flatbed trucks and are 80-90% complete when they arrive.

Prefab buildings can be adapted to complement surrounding architecture, with exterior finishes such as brick, stucco, siding and other architectural surfaces. Once assembled, your temporary office building will be virtually indistinguishable from a conventionally built office building.

Modular buildings are ideally suited for these and many other types of offices:

  • Business and sales offices
  • Medical/dental/veterinary offices
  • In-plant offices
  • Mobile office space
  • Jobsite project management offices
  • Guard and security offices
  • Modular office swing space

Modular office buildings are a cost-effective alternative whether your need for more space is temporary or permanent, and will provide you and your employees with maximum comfort without sacrificing design and quality.

Portable Office Buildings for Sale

If you need more office space for the short or long term, there are portable office buildings for sale that will fit your project and budget. They can be built in nearly any design, from simple one-story buildings to contemporary multi-story office complexes, and can help you reduce your costs by as much as 20 to 30%. 

Today’s state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies, better quality controls, and 3D and 4D design capabilities have enabled modular construction to meet the needs of a wide range of residential, commercial and industrial uses. If you don’t have the budget to build a permanent structure but want great quality, consider portable office buildings.

National companies such as Modular Genius, an award-winning modular builder in Joppa, Maryland, have teams of experienced designers, engineers, project managers and field superintendents that allow them to serve as general contractor for all aspects of the construction process. They will consult on your design and make recommendations for building your office building efficiently and economically. 

Portable Office Buildings for Sale

Modular Construction Environmental Benefits

Approximately 170,000 commercial buildings are constructed every year in the U.S., and nearly 44,000 commercial buildings are demolished.  According to the EPA, these commercial buildings account for 18% of total energy use, 3% of total water consumption, 35% of total electricity consumption, and 18% of CO2 emissions. By 2025, they are expected to be the greatest emitters of greenhouse gases on the planet.

In addition to LEED certification credits, the permitting process for modular buildings can be significantly shorter than for stick-built buildings. Some communities offer free planning assistance for green buildings, in addition to free signage, fee reductions, tax credits, grants or low-interest loans, and marketing incentives. And building modular can reduce your energy costs by as much as 40%.

Modular Construction Cost Benefits

If you consider factory-assembled components like pre-hung cabinets, windows and doors, builders have used modular techniques for decades to cut costs and speed up construction. Building, pre-wiring and rough plumbing 80% of a modular structure in a factory environment cuts down on the need for multiple subcontractors on the jobsite.  There is also no weather damage of materials (wasted cost).

Not only are the costs of modular buildings about 20% less in comparison to stick-built buildings, but time is money, and modular buildings can be delivered 40% to 50% faster. This means that your new office space will be available and ready to start earning profits sooner.

Award-Winning Modular Office Designs

As you weigh your options, take a look at the recent Awards of Distinction from the Modular Building Institute for excellence in relocatable office design.

In spite of a difficult-to-access location in remote mountainous terrain, the 1820 sq ft complex was designed to be energy saving and maintain the alpine-style look of other buildings in the region. The 11 steel frame modules are strong, long-lasting and absolutely secure, and the roofing was designed for a quick drop and connection on site. The project was completed in just 39 days.

Why not take advantage of portable office buildings for sale and reap the cost and environmental rewards? Contact a modular builder for solutions that will meet your deadlines and budget constraints.

Modular Classrooms – A Solution for School Overcrowding

A committee of six Beaverton School District parents came up with five recommendations to deal with overcrowding at Springville K-8 and Stoller Middle School.

Two of the five recommendations related to the deployment of modular classrooms and other such portable school buildings.

  • Add more modular classrooms to Stoller Middle School campus. The school, which just received four modular buildings with eight classrooms, can take three more buildings with a total of six more classrooms. This could increase enrollment to a level that makes it difficult to operate the school.
  • Add more portable classrooms at Rock Creek Elementary to house a grade level of students. Rock Creek can only take two more portables, which would limit the plan.

The five recommendations of the Springville / Stoller Overcrowding Solutions Committee now reside with Superintendent Jeff Rose, who will meet with staff and possibly the parent committee, before making a final decision.

He is not required to select just one and Rose may combine recommendations.

Parents and other interested parties have discussed various ideas on various Facebook pages.

Full Story: Oregon Live

 

Prefabricated Office Building

Whether you need office space in a remote location with limited access to building materials and skilled laborers, or you are right in the middle of a large metropolitan area, a prefabricated office building provides high-quality results in half the time at a fraction of the cost of a site-built building.

Prefabricated Office  Building

What Is Prefabricated?

The terms used to describe modular buildings can be confusing, and most people don’t understand the advantages of these prefabricated buildings.

1. A modular building is “prefabricated” in a factory in sections and then transported to the construction site on flat-bed trucks to be placed on a foundation and assembled into a whole building.

2. Modular buildings are designed for permanent placement but can be disassembled, relocated and reassembled over and over again in new locations while maintaining the same structural integrity as new buildings.

3. Prefabricated buildings must adhere to state and federal building codes and undergo regular inspections, just like any site-built building.

4. Prefab buildings are at least as safe as their site-built counterparts.  Factory fabrication enables the manufacturer to use superior quality building materials, and the modules are built in a controlled environment and undergo factory-quality inspections.

5. Delivery via the highway to the building site exposes prefabricated modules to high winds and vibrations, which means they need to be extremely structurally sound.

6. When a building is constructed on site, it’s exposed to the elements during construction, and the materials used to build it are also stored outside. This exposes the building to moisture from rain and snow, and may cause construction delays due to poor weather. With their components built and stored indoors, modular buildings don’t face these issues.

7. Today’s prefab buildings are as easily customizable as site-built buildings. While most manufacturers have a portfolio of plans to choose from, computer-assisted design (CAD) allows an unlimited amount of customization when planning your new modular office.

8. Modular buildings exceed most energy-code requirements and can satisfy your environmental requirements. Theyare LEED-certified, fire-resistant and mold-resistant. And factory construction reduces waste, noise, pollution, dust, and construction-related traffic on the construction site and significantly reduces overall construction time.

9. Factory construction decreases the fabrication time. Once the modules are completed and transported to the building site, the structure takes just one or two days to assemble on site.

10. Modular construction costs about 10 percent to 15 percent less than stick-built construction. Base prices typically start at $150 to $200 per square foot, plus the cost of planning, delivery, assembly and utility connection. Modular builders such as Modular Genius, which provides services across the nation, deliver high-quality modular projects to fit a wide variety of budgets.

An example of an innovative relocatable office building is the Christina Lake Office in Alberta, Canada, which earned a first place Award of Distinction in 2014 from the Modular Building Institute. The high-end building is three stories tall and features a unique flat deck overhang roofing system which incorporates a storm water collection system.

Prefabricated office buildings are designed to meet the needs of virtually any public or private industry or use – commercial, industrial, institutional, healthcare, hospitality, assembly, government, and more. They can be simple or elaborate, and can be designed with exterior finishes such as wood, brick, stucco and siding, and even custom architectural features.

Portable Offices for Sale

Modular buildings are fabricated in a factory in sections and then transported to the construction site on flat-bed trucks, placed on a foundation and assembled into a whole building. There are modular portable offices for sale that will solve your growing space needs.

Portable modular offices are useful for a wide variety of applications, such as real estate offices, law offices, church and school administrative offices, customer service offices, bank branches, medical/dental offices, rehab centers and more.

Nearly any custom design can be achieved – from single-story buildings to contemporary multi-story modular building office complexes. Permanent and mobile buildings can be adapted to complement surrounding structures, with exterior finishes such as brick, stucco, siding and other architectural surfaces. Once assembled, a prefab office building is virtually indistinguishable from a stick-built office building.

Portable Offices for Sale

Here are five winning modular projects that caught our eye:

The Barrie School in Silver Spring, MDModular Genius won the first place Award of Distinction from the Modular Building Institute in 2014 for this beautiful LEED-qualified project which features tall ceilings, movable walls and plenty of windows. It was also the judges’ highest scoring entry. The buildings were constructed on a highly accelerated time schedule. Built from many reclaimed materials, 20% of the building materials contain recycled post consumer products, 2.5% of the project cost utilized rapidly renewable materials and 50% of the project cost used FSC Certified Wood. It maximized the use of the existing building footprint, minimized ground disturbance, and was completed in 121 days.

Atlantic Power Office in Squamish, B.C. – Another first place Award of Distinction in 2014 in the Permanent Office Under 10,000 SF category went to the innovative Atlantic Power Office. It was designed as an addition to an existing power plant at a hydroelectric power-generating station. Architectural features reflect the surrounding mountain region and natural surroundings. Special challenges at the construction site included access from a logging road, overhead power lines and a critical lift requiring custom engineering. The building was designed and constructed to fit onto a site-built steel support structure and meet stringent seismic requirements.

Tsuu T’ina Child and Family Services Office in Calgary, Alberta, Canada – This unusual project won an honorable mention from the Modular Building Institute for a modular facility of 11 offices, boardroom, sky lit corridor, kitchen and service rooms that highlight the traditional cultural elements of the First Nation who commissioned this project. The low slope of the roof made construction more complex. About three months of construction time was saved by utilizing modular construction, allowing the customer to meet the needs of its community sooner.

Frelinghuysen Middle School in Morris Township, NJ – In the Relocatable Office category, Modular Genius won first place for two modular buildings at Frelinghuysen Middle School that are joined together by a structural steel decking system. The complex consists of eight offices, two conference rooms, reception and waiting areas, work rooms, storage rooms, and restrooms. Electric, water, sewer, gas and foundations were constructed while the building was manufactured offsite. The construction site was a small parcel of grass at the corner of the ball fields which was transformed in less than 60 business days.

Christina Lake Office in Christina Lake, Alberta, Canada – This three-story high-end office complex provides executive style offices and architecturally enhanced features with the cost effectiveness and advantages of modular construction. The construction site for the Christina Lake Office was in a remote location with limited access to material suppliers and sub trades within a four hour drive. The modular method of construction provided the owner with great results in less than half the time, and with significant savings.

If your budget won’t permit you to build a new structure, whether stick-built or modular, don’t overlook the portable offices for sale nationwide. They come in a wide variety of dimensions and innovative designs, and are priced for substantial savings.

 

Portable Construction Office

A portable construction office is the ideal solution when your company needs office space that can be easily moved to a new location once it’s no longer needed. They are appropriate for virtually any public or private industry or use and are suitable for many purposes, including:

  • Field sales offices
  • Hiring and training offices
  • Construction jobsite offices
  • Field labs
  • Portable crew cabins
  • Security guard booths
  • Truck scale houses
  • Equipment shelters
  • First aid stations
  • Portable restrooms
  • Portable canteens and kitchens

Portable modular buildings can meet the needs of virtually any public or private industry or use – commercial, industrial, institutional, healthcare, hospitality, assembly, government, and so on.

They can be simple or elaborate, climate-controlled and/or handicapped accessible. They can have single or multiple rooms and are available with and without restrooms. If you need the structure to blend in with the surrounding environment, portable offices can be designed with exterior finishes such as wood, brick, stucco and siding, and even custom architectural features.

Portable Construction Office

Portable Building Advantages

One of the best features of portable buildings is speed. They provide a fast solution at a fraction of the cost of traditional construction. They are built off-site in a quality-controlled manufacturing facility and installed at your location 40% faster than constructing stick-built buildings.

Another huge benefit is the low cost. While cost is affected by building site limitations and the intended use of the structure, base prices typically start at $150 to $200 per square foot, plus the cost of planning, delivery, assembly and utility connection. Modular builders such as Modular Genius, which provides services across the nation, deliver high-quality modular projects to fit a wide variety of budgets.

Once completed to your specifications, the modular building is delivered in sections, traveling over the road from the production plant to the site in 1-2 days of travel. They are positioned onto a foundation with a crane or truck, and sections are seamed together. Telecommunications and utilities are connected, furniture, OSHA stairs, landscaping and signage are installed, and your team is ready to work in minutes.

Portable construction office cabins are eco-friendly, durable, high-quality, low maintenance, and are built to the same state, local or regional building codes as site-built structures. They are LEED-certified, fire-resistant and mold-resistant. Energy-conscious customers can opt for enhancements that include triple-glazed windows, energy-efficient utilities, eco-friendly insulation, and no-VOC or low-VOC interior wall and floor treatments.

Innovation

You may be pleasantly surprised at the innovative ways that modular construction can solve a wide range of residential, commercial and industrial needs, both temporary and permanent. The integration of 3D and 4D design software, modern state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies, and mechanized quality control make it possible.

One such example of an innovative relocatable office building is the Christina Lake Office in Alberta, Canada, which earned a first place Award of Distinction in 2014 from the Modular Building Institute. The high-end relocatable office building is three stories tall and features a unique flat deck overhang roofing system which incorporates a storm water collection system.

If you don’t have enough in your budget to build what you want in the conventional way, don’t overlook a portable construction office. It can be designed in a wide variety of dimensions, square footage of under 1,000 square feet to more than 20,000 square feet, is ready to roll to a new location at any time, and is priced for substantial savings.

Portable Office Trailer

When you need a jobsite trailer or instant office space, what could be faster and easier than having a portable office trailer delivered right to your site?

In nearly every industry – construction, commercial, industrial, institutional, hospitality, healthcare, government – there is a need for more space from time to time, but budgets and deadlines can be tight. Portable trailers provide a quick solution at a fraction of the cost of any other option. They can be used anywhere you need temporary space, but can also be used as a long-term solution.

“Ready-to-roll” office trailers are ideal for:

  • Construction jobsite offices
  • Administrative offices
  • Mobile or temporary sales offices
  • Field offices or labs
  • Swing space
  • Security offices
  • Temporary teaching space
  • Training offices
  • Media centers
  • Lounges or dining facilities
  • Plant shutdowns
  • Special events

Factory-made modules are designed, engineered, fabricated and transported to your site for assembly to create the space you need in a very short time. Any required foundations and site preparation (e.g., utilities, if any) can be done while the modules are being built to save time and meet your occupancy deadlines.

Portable Office Trailer

Studies indicate that 80% of job-sites are not ready for work until 3 to 10 days after delivery of the portable office space. In addition to the completed structures, many modular building companies offer exterior and interior accessories that will have your staff up and running immediately upon delivery, such as:

  1. OSHA, ADA/IBC and custom stairs, wheelchair ramps and walkways
  2. Skirting to protect the trailer from weather, animals and insects
  3. Security features, such as bars and screens, to prevent theft
  4. Canopies and awnings for rain and sun protection
  5. Partitions to divide the interior office space into work areas, storage and waiting/reception areas.
  6. Furniture, including tables, chairs, file cabinets and desks
  7. Customizable shelving
  8. Single, double, triple and six tier lockers
  9. Appliances, such as coffeemakers, refrigerators, microwaves and more
  10. Data and communication hookups that can be pre-wired before delivery
  11. Computer peripherals, such as printers and monitors
  12. Whiteboards, dry erase and magnetic boards
  13. Electrical and plumbing hookups
  14. HVAC service
  15. Landscaping and paving

Your staff can have everything they need on Day One to get started reviewing construction plans, holding team meetings, conducting training sessions, and staying productive.

Portable modular trailers are typically available in a wide variety of dimensions and square footage, with a variety of siding options, roofing materials, and wall and floor finishes.  They can be painted or sided on the exterior, and the interior floor plans can be configured to your specific requirements. Another major benefit is that they can be quickly reconfigured or even moved to a new location at minimal expense as your business needs change.

A portable office trailer can combine both architectural appeal and functionality while providing substantial savings in both cost and time. We recommend a visit to The Modular Building Institute’s website to see their recent Awards of Distinction for relocatable modular solutions. The contest judges modular building manufacturers, dealers, and product and service providers on architectural excellence, technical innovation and sustainability, cost effectiveness, energy efficiency, and time to completion. You can enjoy a wide selection of innovative modular projects there.

New Modular Office Buildings – The Green Solution

Time is money, and constructing a conventional office building is time-consuming and expensive. For a sleek, efficient and cost-effective alternative, new modular office buildings could be exactly the greener, faster and smarter solution you need.

Thanks to 3D design software, state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies and mechanized quality control, modular construction now supports a wide range of residential, commercial and industrial uses, both permanent and relocatable. The American Institute of Architects, in fact, believes that permanent modular construction can revolutionize the construction industry.

Green Modular Office Buildings

Green Benefits

According to The Modular Building Institute (MBI), permanent modular construction is “an innovative, sustainable construction delivery method utilizing offsite, lean manufacturing techniques to prefabricate single or multi-story whole building solutions in deliverable module sections.”

This controlled modular building process results in a sustainable wood, steel or concrete structure that promotes energy, water and material efficiency, and creates a healthy, productive and comfortable indoor environment.  Here are a few of the other advantages:

  • Faster
    While the building site is being prepared, construction of the modular components is taking place at the same time in the factory. This offsite construction makes it possible to deliver a structure that is 80% to 90% complete to the building site, ready for assembly. With all of the work being done simultaneously, projects are often completed in 40% to 50% less time than a traditional construction project. Earlier occupancy boosts revenues.
  • Less Site Disruption & Waste
    With less work to do on the jobsite before the arrival of the nearly completed modular components, there is far less traffic on the site, fewer safety hazards, and far less construction noise from workers, equipment and suppliers. Offsite construction also reduces material waste. Materials undergo far greater control and protection in the factory environment, and construction delays caused by poor weather conditions are eliminated. And excess building materials can be reallocated to other projects instead of ending up in a landfill.
  • Disassemble & Reuse
    Most relocatable modular buildings will last about 20 years with proper maintenance, while those built to be permanent structures typically last at least 60 years.  When they have served their purpose, they can be disassembled and reused or recycled, maximizing your return on your investment.
  • Energy Efficient
    The factory fabrication of modular components means they will be tighter and more efficient. Ventilation and air infiltration are more easily controlled than in a conventional building. Leaks at windows and floor and wall joints are kept to a minimum by careful sealing and insulating in the factory before the walls are erected onsite.
  • Better Indoor Air Quality
    Tight sealing and insulation also improves the air quality of permanent modular building because infiltration by outdoor pollutants and moisture are minimized.  These factors have a dramatic impact on reducing HVAC and other building energy expenses.
  • Green Features
    Customers can enhance their modular offices with energy-efficient utilities, eco-friendly insulation and no-VOC or low-VOC interior wall and floor treatments to reduce the building’s environmental impact. High-performance products, such as dual pane windows, acrylic skylights, motion-controlled light fixtures, sealed lightweight concrete floors, and sprayed polyurethane roofs can be incorporation to help reduce the project’s carbon footprint. Modular buildings are an ideal way to comply with LEED® certification standards.

Architects and building owners are taking advantage of the flexibility, sustainability and savings (time and materials) that are inherent to new modular office buildings. We recommend a visit to the website of a modular building company such as Modular Genius for examples of innovative modular building projects.

Used Modular Office Buildings for Quick Deployment

When you need office space fast, don’t overlook the wide variety of used modular office buildings that can be deployed quickly without sacrificing aesthetics or durability. Most modular builders, such as Modular Genius, have pre-owned modular offices in stock in excellent condition and priced for significant savings.

Used models are usually available in a wide variety of dimensions, square footage of less than 1,000 square feet to more than 20,000 square feet, a variety of siding options, roofing materials, and wall and floor finishes.  They can be painted or sided on the exterior, and the interior floor plans can be reconfigured to meet your specific requirements. It’s often possible to move the doors and windows and add ADA-compliant ramps and steps, all at a fraction of the cost of new construction.

Used Modular Buildings

Benefits of Used Modular Buildings:

Questions to Ask:

Some companies offer their used modular buildings “as-is,” while others certify that their stock of used buildings has been thoroughly inspected and include a warranty on any repairs they made. Here are some other suggestions to make your purchase of used modular structures worry-free.

  1. Local building permits
    Be sure that your pre-owned modular office meets any required local building codes. Call the building department of your municipality to find out if a conditional use permit will be required for the structure before delivery day.
  2. Condition
    Carefully check the condition of the structures to see if they need to be repainted, repaired or renovated. If the modular buildings were properly maintained, they should continue to serve you for many years.
  3. Warranty
    Does the seller offer any kind of warranty? Before you buy, it’s important to know if the modules have been inspected for weather tightness, structural integrity, mechanical HVAC operation, and electrical and plumbing compliance.
  4. Cost
    You may be able to realize savings up to 10% to 40% off of labor and materials because the underlying structures are being recycled and reused. If your business has a flexible budget, weigh the prices of used modules against those of new modular buildings. Although you may have to wait longer and pay more, you will be able to get exactly what you want with a better warranty.
  5. Delivery/Setup
    Will the seller deliver the modular structures to your site and set them up for you (and is this included in the price), or will you be expected to move and set up everything yourself? Is there already a foundation on the construction site for the structures, or does this need to be done before your used modules can be delivered? Many modular manufacturers can take care of site preparation for you.

If you are thinking that all modular buildings look like boring construction-site trailers, we recommend taking a look at the Modular Building Institute’s 2014 Awards of Distinction to see the creativity and innovation in the world of modular buildings today.

Used modular office buildings can get your business up and running quickly and help you generate revenue far sooner than if you wait for new construction. Modular offices are a fast, eco-friendly solution when you need extra space for a jobsite / construction office, real estate office, law office, school administration office, medical office, dental clinic, veterinarian clinic, security office, or any other permanent or temporary office you can imagine.