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Office Trailer Buyer's Guide
Your Details-till-Delivery Guide To Acquiring an Office Trailer
How is my office trailer going to look when it gets here?
Although office trailer units are cleaned and maintained between uses, you never know exactly what shape your office trailer will be in when it arrives on your lot. In order to get a good idea of its current condition, you can ask the vendors the following questions:
- Has the office trailer required any major repairs?
- Has the office trailer required any minor repairs?
- What kind of site was the office trailer used on last? (There is a big difference between construction site and classroom site usage!)
Of course, the best way to ensure you will be satisfied with your office trailer is to take a look at it before you sign any contracts and before you have it delivered. “Major repair” may mean something totally different to you than it means to your vendor.
Many vendors charge delivery fees based on mileage traveled, so before you make the final decision on a vendor, ask the following questions:
- How much do you charge per mile for office trailer delivery?
- How many miles from your dealership to my office trailer site is it?
(Remember that one company may charge $5/mile and be located 12 miles away and its competitor could charge $2/mile but be 70 miles away.)
If your vendor is located out of state, check your state’s regulations regarding the size limit of office trailers, and the transportation fees you may have to pay. Usually, the vendor can help you with this.
How long will the delivery and set-up of my office trailer take?
You can expect your office trailer to take up to a couple of weeks to arrive, depending heavily on your vendor’s location and schedule. The upside, however, is that once it arrives it is remarkably easy to set up. The vendor should install any steps, skirting or ground anchors you have asked for, but connecting the all-important electricity and plumbing in the office trailer will be left to you. You can hire local contractors to help you or see if your office trailer vendor has a recommendation—either way, a skilled professional in your area is the perfect solution.
Before signing off on any delivery, make sure to give your office trailer a once-over, looking for obvious damage that happened during transport or set-up.
So, on average, how much will a office trailer cost me?
Good question! Other than delivery charges, (which we talked about earlier), and rent (which is highly subjective based on location, season and competition) the average additional costs involved with leasing a 720 square foot (12’x60’) office trailer are as follows:
- $200: Basic set-up, including blocking and leveling the office trailer site
- $200-$500: Anchor fees (anchors are required for extra security on some sites)
- $800: cost for a office trailer skirt
- $200: cost for an electrician and plumber to hook up electricity and plumbing
There is also a fee for the removal of your office trailer at the end of your lease. You will have to pay for everything from ground anchors to transportation once it is time to get rid of your office trailer. Inquire as to this cost and remember to incorporate it into your budget.
If you are interested in purchasing your office trailer, you can usually do so for $15,000 - $40,000. However, buying an office trailer for long-term use may be less cost effective than buying a modular building for your office needs.
Lastly read the fine print on the office trailer lease or purchase contract before you sign anything. You could be signing yourself up for hidden fees and costs. Make sure you note all fees you will be liable for, including delivery and removal fees as well as the cleaning and repair charges.
You also may want to ask about lease extensions, as policies vary widely from vendor to vendor. While some charge hefty premiums on lease extension, others write automatic renewal clauses into their contracts, which can be an undesirable surprise if overlooked.
Now that you know all you need to know about office trailers, let us here at Office-Trailer.com help you find the right office trailer!
Part I: What is an Office Trailer?
Part II: Finding the Office Trailer You Need
Part III: Office Trailer Sale, Delivery and Setup
 Office Trailer Buyer's Guide 2 |