Insightz

Temporary Office Trailers: What to know before you rent

Temporary office trailers serve many functions. From construction companies to schools undergoing renovations, mobile office trailers are used in many industries to provide essential space for performing essential duties on a jobsite. Renting a temporary office trailer isn’t complicated, but here’s what you need to know before you rent. Asking these questions will help you avoid wasting money on a trailer that doesn’t fit your needs.   

How will you use the temporary office trailer?

Before you get started, ask yourself the basics. How big should the trailer be? What capabilities should the trailer have? Office trailers are used to provide onsite office space for people who need a desk and a comfortable chair to sit in. They may have electricity, but little else. That may be all you need for your jobsite.

However, larger office trailers can be ordered that offer amenities like a restroom, more than one office space, closet space or a small kitchen. Before you decide whether these functions are needed, you should first decide what your organization will do in the office.

Ask your team:

• Who will use the office space?
• How many people will need to use it at the same time?
• How many pieces of furniture must fit in the office?
• Will the space need to be large enough for meetings or gatherings?

Where will the office trailer go?

To answer this question, consider factors like foot traffic, vehicle traffic and work activity on the site. Place the office in a location where it will be out of the way of vehicles and employees, but convenient for the people who need to access it. Other factors to consider include noise and accessibility. Noise in the environment around the office may make working inside the office difficult. In addition, if the office is not properly accessible, then it defeats the purpose of having an office onsite. 

What are the delivery requirements?

The rental company may require someone to be on site when the mobile office is delivered. They may also need special access to the site, and the road leading to the site should be adequately wide and in good condition. Find out what requirements must be fulfilled to make the delivery and ensure you can provide those conditions when it’s time to receive the unit.  

Need storage space?

Some mobile office models provide office space and storage space. Businesses like construction companies often need both, so find out if you’ll need additional storage units along with an office. Work with project managers, foremen and other site supervisors to decide whether the jobsite needs storage containers in addition to an office. There are also storage container/mobile office container combos that are economical for small construction jobs where space is needed for both purposes.  

Are permits required?

Many communities require permits for temporary mobile offices. Before you can install a mobile office, even if the office space is only meant to be temporary, contact your local city hall or permitting office to find out what permits are required in your area. The permitting office may have height or size requirements that must be considered before the office can be installed, so contact them about permits before ordering an office with a rental company. 

Whether you have a small renovation or a major new-build construction site, we’ve been helping project managers order temporary offices for more than a decade. Let us help you get a mobile office trailer set up on your next worksite.