Consider Used Modular Building Options

While purchasing or leasing a used modular structure may not be your first instinct, there are a wide variety of benefits of used modular portable buildings. Along with lower price tags and expedited timelines, used buildings are environmentally friendly and can complement any industry. In this blog, we’ll review the most important questions to ask yourself when deciding between a new or used modular building option.

1. Are Used Modular Buildings Right for My Industry?

Regardless of your industry, the answer to this question is always a resounding yes. Used modular building options are perfect for businesses in every industry, including (but not limited to):

Modular buildings are engineered and manufactured to satisfy the same building codes as traditionally-built structures. That means they can withstand the daily demands of heavy industries and reinforces the safety of used modular buildings. They also undergo inspections throughout the building process and must meet additional standards to withstand transportation to job sites.

3. Am I Working With a Tight Budget?

Organizations on a fixed budget without much money for capital expenses often opt for used modular buildings. The architectural design and production associated with new buildings can be costly, but you avoid this with a pre-owned structure. Used modular buildings are almost always more affordable than new ones, so there’s less upfront capital involved and no initial depreciation.

Another benefit of used modular portable buildings is the ability to see a structure before you enter into any kind of financial commitment. And because you’re spending less on the building itself, you can add a wide variety of customizations and upgrades to your used modular structure.

Aesthetic Customizations

Here are just a handful of the aesthetic upgrades you can add to your used modular building:

Cove bases
Crown molding and trim
Hardwood floors
Marble counters
Upgraded exterior finishes
Upgraded roof slopes
Upgraded hardware and fixtures

Technological Customizations

You can choose from a variety of technological upgrades and customizations, including:

Alarm systems
Broadband wiring
Projectors
Secure access
Smartboards
Surveillance

Energy Efficiency Customizations

Consider the upgrades below to make your modular building more energy-efficient:

Alternative roofing covers
Energy-efficient windows
High-efficiency HVAC
Light sensor switches
Solar panels
Upgraded wall and ceiling insulation

Ultimately, leasing or purchasing a used modular building is a great way to manage both your cash flow and balance sheet. Since your capital isn’t tied up in purchasing a new building, you can focus on your core business operations.

4. Does Leasing a Modular Building Make Sense for Me?

If you’re interested in a used modular building option but don’t need it for an extended period, be sure to consider leasing. Leasing is very popular with organizations that only need modular space from 12-36 months or don’t own the property their business is located on. If you need additional space for longer than three years, you should probably buy a used modular building.

There are many benefits to leasing a used modular building, including:

Ability to quickly acquire additional space when and where you need it
Shorter lease terms than are typically available when purchasing a new building
Dealer removes the temporary structure as soon as you’re done using it
Ability to finance one-time charges through your lease (delivery, set-up, removal, etc.)
No responsibility for major repairs or maintenance
Financing through a dealer means perfect credit is not required

In most cases, you’ll pay $1-1.50 per square foot per month when you lease a simple used modular building. You can typically choose between a true or finance lease. True leases last 12-60 months and allow you to rent your temporary space for as long as you need it. Finance leases (also known as rent-to-own) allow you to select your lease length (typically 24-72 months) and buyout amount at the end of your term.

5. Do I Need Temporary or Permanent Space?

If you’re looking for a temporary modular building as opposed to a permanent one, you should definitely opt for a used structure. Designed for relocation, temporary modular buildings can be repurposed and redeployed several times during their lifespan.

Temporary modular buildings are defined by their intended use, foundation design, and how they’re affixed to that foundation, rather than their structural design. They’re built to the same high standards as permanent modular buildings and must satisfy all of the same codes and inspections. With proper maintenance, temporary structures can have a useful life of 20-30 years.

6. Do I Need Swing or Expansion Space?

Whether you need swing or expansion space, a used modular building option is always a smart choice. If you’re renovating or expanding your existing facility, a short-term used modular swing space is a great way to keep your students or employees comfortable. It also reduces your overhead costs and allows you to avoid moving people and property to another location.

If you need long-term expansion space, purchasing a used modular building is a cost-effective solution. Whether you need to accommodate a large number of new employees or mitigate overcrowded classrooms, there’s a used modular building to suit your needs.

7. Am I In a Remote Location?

If your business or organization is located in a remote area, you know how difficult it can be to find skilled workers. Labor shortages are very common in less-populated areas, especially when it comes to builders, electricians, plumbers, and heavy equipment operators. However, your used modular building option can be shipped directly to you and be installed with very little on-site labor required.

8. Is Being Eco-Friendly a Priority for Me?

Used modular buildings are the embodiment of adaptable reuse, which refers to repurposing existing buildings as new structures. This makes them an excellent choice for organizations that are focused on sustainability and going green. Because they’re designed to be deconstructed (rather than demolished), used modular buildings promote sustainability and a green lifecycle.

Here are a few specific ways that used modular buildings benefit the environment:

Reduced construction waste
Minimized environmental pollution
Sustainable construction
Reduced need for raw materials
Reliance on recycling and reuse
Less disruption to green space
Increased energy efficiency

Used modular building options also support the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Program. LEED ranks construction projects based on how many points they earn in different categories of environmental focus. This helps ensure that construction companies follow best practices when building new structures or repurposing existing ones.

Ready to buy or lease a used modular building option for your business or organization? From used modular buildings for daycare and used modular classroom buildings to used modular buildings for labs and used modular church buildings, BOXX has you covered. Search our large inventory of used modular buildings or contact our knowledgeable dealer network to get started.