Choose the Right Structure for You With Our Modular vs. Container Office Buyer's Guide

You’ve heard of modular office systems and shipping container offices, but do you know which one is right for your business? In this modular vs. container office buyer’s guide, we’ll review what each type of structure is, industries that can use it, and the benefits of each. Our ultimate goal is to reinforce the value of modular office spaces so you can confidently choose the right office option for you.

Best of all, when you choose BOXX Modular, you can select from comprehensive add-on packages to complete your modular office system. These include:

• Office packages: desk, chair, floor mat, garbage can, clocks, calendars, white boards
• Kitchen packages: table, microwave, coffee maker, water cooler, garbage can, mini or full-size fridge, hand washing stations
• Seating and conference table packages: six- and eight-foot rectangular tables, oval conference tables, regular and swivel chairs

Businesses in many different industries can benefit from adding portable offices to their properties. These include (but are not limited to) the following:

In this section of our modular vs. container office buyer’s guide, we’ll take a closer look at the many benefits of choosing modular office space for your business.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of modular buildings is their expedited timeline as opposed to traditional, on-site construction. In fact, depending on the structure you choose, your building can be on-site and ready for occupancy in as little as 30 days from signing your contract. It can also be fully customized with break rooms, kitchens, locker rooms, restrooms, showers, and more.

The accelerated timeline of modular construction also allows you to quickly scale up and down to meet the changing needs of your business and industry. Plus, if you opt for a temporary structure, the dealer will remove the building as soon as you’re done using it.

If you’re on a budget, leasing a temporary portable office allows you to pay for space as a monthly expense, rather than an upfront capital investment. It’s also easier to manage your cash flow because you don’t have to worry about big-ticket maintenance items or property depreciation. You can lease temporary space for $1-1.50/square foot per month, although this varies based on your structure.

Modular portable offices are also made from the same high-quality building materials used in traditional construction projects. And because they must withstand transportation to the building site and the craning used to place final components, modular buildings are stronger than on-site structures. They’re also fully code-compliant to deliver the functional, comfortable, flexible, and low-maintenance office space you need.

If eco-friendliness is important to you, modular office systems are also a green option that embodies adaptive reuse and meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines. Finally, modular office space can be outfitted with a variety of state-of-the-art technology, like smart locks, digital reception, security cameras, and more.

In the second half of our modular vs. container office buyer’s guide, we’ll review everything you need to know about shipping container offices. Shipping containers that are converted into offices are typically 20 or 40 feet long, eight feet wide, and eight feet, six inches high. 20-foot containers offer 1,170 cubic feet of usable office space, while 40-foot containers provide 2,350 cubic feet.

Permanent and temporary shipping container offices are available, along with both new and used containers. New containers are in good shape, have monotone paint, and don’t have large logos, making them a smart choice for customer-facing businesses. 

Used containers often have dings, dents, and surface rust, but they’re still perfectly usable. Regardless of whether you choose new or used, your container will meet standards set by the International Standards Organization (ISO) to ensure that it’s consistent in size and quality, safely stackable, and easily transportable.

Not sure whether you should buy or lease a shipping container office? Purchasing is a smart choice if you:

• Plan to use the container for at least one year
• Want to modify your shipping container office design
• Want to move the container to different locations
• Plan on selling the container in the future
• Need to use it to store hazardous materials

On the other hand, you should lease one of these structures if you:

• Only need extra space for seasonal or temporary workers
• Don’t want to modify your shipping container office design
• Don’t plan on moving the container to other locations
• Don’t need to store hazardous materials

Shipping container offices come with a variety of door configurations, including standard, double, and side-open doors, along with flat rack and top-open models. They can also be customized with add-ons like ventilation, insulation, plumbing, HVAC, drywall, carpet, shelving, flooring, locking mechanisms, and more.

Finally, container offices have thick walls made from industrial-grade steel to protect your belongings from theft. Some shipping container offices have built-in locking mechanisms, while others come with padlock hasps or rod locks. If your container office has windows, consider adding metal bars for additional security.

At BOXX Modular, we offer a wide variety of modular office systems to meet the needs of businesses in any industry. Contact us today to connect with one of our experienced modular building consultants and learn more about your options.