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Office Trailer Buyer's Guide: Your Details-till-Delivery Guide To Acquiring An Office Trailer
Your Details-till-Delivery Guide To Acquiring An Office Trailer
In a perfect world, we would all be gazing out the floor-to-ceiling window of our huge corner office at a sparkling, pristine cityscape. Occasionally a window-washer would squeak into view, interrupting our reverie and wishing us a good day as we put our feet up on our rosewood desks to get some “work” done.
The concerns of the real business world, however, often demand more pragmatism. Sometimes we need extra or temporary office space, and we need it fast, which is where office trailers come into play. What better way to get space in a hurry than a fully-customizable office trailer?
While office trailers may not be a daydream come true, they are the perfect short-term solution until the finishing touches have been put on your corner office. “Where do I start? How do I know what I need?” you ask. Follow me, I will tell you everything you need to know about leasing or buying an office trailer.
What is an office trailer?
Office trailers, or mobile offices, as they are sometimes known, are typically pre-fabricated buildings leased, rented, or purchased out to companies looking for a workspace. Office trailer vendors can provide your business with an office trailer equipped with doors, windows, electrical wiring, climate controls, and basic furnishing. These office trailers are not one-size-fits-all, either, as they come in a variety of models and sizes to suit your needs, and can be delivered almost anywhere quickly.
Before you order your office trailer, there are a few things you will need to know, and will need to tell your vendor. So, make sure you can answer the following questions before getting quotes.
What do I need to do with the office trailer?
Office trailers are typically used for a variety of temporary office needs, including (but not limited to) construction offices, mobile sales offices, extra storage, and disaster recovery offices. If you think that a more permanent and fully-customizable building would be better suited to your needs than an office trailer, then you might be interested in modular buildings.
How much space do I have for the office trailer?
Before ordering the biggest office trailer you can find, you will want to make sure you have enough land to house it. Take careful measurements of the area, keeping in mind any entries or exits, property lines, and easements.
While “a lot of times the company will do a site check before the unit is delivered,” said Cindi Love, who worked in the office trailer industry for seven years, you should make sure you have enough space for a truck to successfully deliver the office trailer or mobile office to your chosen site.
Just how big is that delivery truck? 18-wheeler trucks are the delivery trucks of choice for most office trailers, so an established road and a fair amount of drivable space are necessary. But, like Cindi said, most office trailer companies will do a preliminary site check. Use your common sense and leave the rest to the office trailer professionals.
How many people will need to use the office trailer?
The number of employees that will use your office trailer will go a long way in determining its size and configuration. A common rule of thumb used in the industry is that basic office work requires 100-150 square feet of office trailer per person. If you want “luxuries” like bathrooms and conference rooms in your office trailer, expect to need additional square footage. (We’ll talk more about the “luxuries” later.)
How long will I need this office trailer?
Not only do size and “luxury” help determine the cost of your office trailer, the length of time you will need the office trailer unit dictates cost as well. While office trailers can be available for sale, many are for temporary use only, and are leased instead of purchased.
If you are looking for an office that you will use for three years or more, you may want to consider a modular building instead of an office trailer. Once you know how long you will need your office to function, you can make a decision.
Part I: What is an Office Trailer?
Part II: Finding the Office Trailer You Need
Part III: Office Trailer Sale, Delivery and Setup
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