Modular Office Buildings

Choosing the Right Size Modular Office: How Much Space Do I Need?

Jul 26, 2018

You’ve come to the realization that you need to expand your office space. Maybe that means adding on to your current building or customizing an office space that’s entirely new. Either way, modular office buildings are a quick and cost-effective way to provide a larger work environment for your team.

But, do you know how much space you will need? Prefabricated modular dimensions are available from a couple hundred square feet to over twenty thousand square feet, so choosing the right size modular office is extremely important. You need to be sure that the space you choose is adequate enough for your employees to work productively and comfortably. It should also take your future expansion into account.

Here’s an easy way to get started. Use these standard office size specifications to get a good idea of how much space you need for each employee, as well as common areas in your office.

Private offices

Many C-Suite employees will require private workspaces:

President / CEO: 200-400 square feet
Vice-Presidents: 150-250 square feet
Managers: 90-150 square feet

Open workspaces

Non-manager employees often work in semi-private cubicles or larger open plan spaces, unless your industry dictates that all employees need privacy:

Open Space Workstation: 60-110 square feet per person
Standard Cubicle: 48 square feet

Additional office necessities

Remember to calculate additional space for these common areas in your modular office:

Reception: 100 square feet + 10 square feet per person waiting
Conference Room: 50 square feet + 20-25 square feet per seat
File Room: 125-300 square feet
Break Room: 120 square feet
Restrooms: 55 square feet for first stall + 30 square feet for each additional stall
Hallways/Corridors: add 20-30% of your total usable space

Plan for Future Expansion

When determining the right size for your modular office, you want to consider future expansion. You don’t want a building with lots of unused square footage that will remain empty for many years, but you don’t want a building that offers no room for growth as that could lead to overcrowding in no time. Ask yourself:

How many employees will I add over the next few years?
How quickly will I be hiring them?
What positions will they hold?

Answering these questions will help you determine how much additional space to incorporate into your office’s floor plan.

Working from a modular office building is advantageous when the time comes to expand your operations. Because new modular offices spaces are constructed off-site up to 90% completion, there is less workday disruption. Plus, new modules can be added to your current building without completely stalling your team’s day-to-day productivity.

Need inspiration to create the right dimensions for your modular office? View our gallery of office floor plans to find layout options that will work for you and your team.