As the name suggests, a portable building is a structure that’s designed to be moveable as opposed to being fixed in one place. It’s usually constructed off-site, before being delivered as a finished product via road. Lacking any proper foundations, portable structures may occasionally be connected to mains power and water, depending on the intended use of the temporary building.
This portability and flexibility make these types of buildings the ideal, temporary solution for events, construction sites, and other functions, where a permanent structure is unnecessary.
Are Portable Buildings the Same as Modular Buildings?
These two structures are not quite the same, albeit having some similarities. Portable buildings are stand-alone units that arrive fully constructed. Modular buildings, on the other hand, are buildings that are constructed from two or more individual “modules.” Also delivered via road, they’ll be arranged into their desired space using a crane.
What are the Benefits?
Portable buildings attract a number of benefits, not only to business leaders and other professionals, but also to homeowners. Bear in mind that the term “portable building” can be applied to simple backyard storage units in a back yard as much as to a foreman’s office within a construction site.
However, the greatest benefits are seen when opting for a portable structure within a construction site or business premises. Here, they can solve a number of problems. Here are a few of the key benefits of a portable building over a permanent structure.
- Faster to manufacture: Smaller portable buildings, like portable cabins, can be manufactured far more quickly than permanent structures. There are typically fewer bodies involved in the process, too.
- Highly secure: Many portable structures are manufactured from strong steel that can be paired with reinforced locks for additional security. Corrugated steel may also be chosen for increased sturdiness.
- Could reduce spend: Typically, the materials used to manufacture a portable building can be bought in bulk. With such sulk purchases, you can save money on larger projects requiring multiple structures, or over the long term by reusing your unit. It’s also usually cheaper to hire factory labor in producing portable buildings when compared to on-site workers.
- Maintain quality across builds: With permanent structures, there are often many points for potential design flaws. Portable buildings are typically constructed against a tried-and-tested standard and to your own specifications.
- Reusable, meaning less waste: Portable structures can be uprooted and relocated at the end of a project, allowing you to save money and reduce potential waste, depending on the purpose of the building.
- Integrate into existing designs: Portable buildings are the ideal solution for expanding the available space in an existing site or building. For example, as temporary classrooms, pop-up shops, and changing facilities.
Why Choose a Portable Building?
We’ve alluded to some of the reasons why you should choose portable buildings above. However, in case you’re still unsure as to whether they’ll suit your purpose, here are just a few of the scenarios in which a portable structure could be suited.
- Your budget is stretched. If you’re operating a tight budget that’s already near capacity, you’ll be looking to save money wherever possible. In addition to being cheaper to manufacture, in terms of both labor and parts, portable buildings do not require proper foundations. They also do not necessarily need to be connected to a power or water supply. What’s more, you may have the ability to sell the unit after you’re finished with it. In short, portable structures are a cost-effective way of getting the additional storage or operational space you need, without committing to large spends.
- You need secure storage. The strength of the materials used in portable buildings means that they can provide extremely secure storage space. If you’re going to be storing valuable materials or information overnight, you can pair a steel portable building with a heavy-duty padlock to ensure your site’s integrity.
- Space on-site is limited. Wherever you need additional space, finding room for it can be a problem. The good news is that portable buildings can be stacked, effectively doubling the available space you get per square foot. You also needn’t be overly cautious about where a portable unit is located. Once its purpose has been served, it can be moved off-site or even positioned at the edge of the premises to avoid impacting operations or aesthetics.
- You’re concerned about quality. It’s long been accepted that offsite manufacturing can vastly increase the quality of construction. One study from 2005, based in the UK, found that 77% of contractor respondents agreed upon offsite products attracting a higher quality of build. With almost two decades of development since, portable buildings have reached incredible standards that are still often favored as fast and simple solutions to limited space or tight budgets.
You don’t have the manpower for alternative options. In addition to the spend involved, constructing a permanent structure or other premises requires a great deal of manpower. If you choose to go with a portable building instead, you can entirely outsource the construction and delivery to an external company. This leaves you more time to focus on your other critical tasks and responsibilities.
Discover the Full Benefits of Portable Buildings
Clearly, there’s a great deal of scope for how portable buildings can be used to trim budgets, expand space, and cut down on potential waste within a project. However, there are various types of portable structures, and it’s important to understand which type is best-suited to your purpose.
Get in touch with RDI Enclosures & Systems today if you’re ready for a confidential, no-strings chat about your expectations and your needs. We’ll draw on years’ worth of experience to recommend the best portable building solutions for your project or event.
