Is a Portable Office Trailer Right for Your Business?

Every day, companies are challenged to keep their workforces happy at austere job sites. Long hours of hard work don’t excuse a company from providing the best possible working conditions that remind employees they are valued. A mobile office trailer with a bathroom creates a work environment that helps employees meet a demanding schedule – not a feeble mobile office trailer with an adjacent porta-potty. A modular office trailer shows team members that their contributions are valued. Nobody wants to work in a job trailer that's falling apart after its second project. A shipping container-based mobile office trailer with a bathroom can survive year after year while being moved between job sites. 

Consider, for a moment, a traditional temporary office trailer. While it’s quick to deploy, it can appear flimsy, can be susceptible to the elements, and often has a short lifespan. These may seem to be significant downsides, but these negatives don’t have to deter you from using a mobile office trailer. Instead, it’s important to consider all your options – such as using a repurposed shipping container. By repurposing a shipping container into a modular office trailer, the structure will provide the same benefits as a traditional trailer while remaining durable for over 25 years – showing only minimal signs of wear and tear. It’s important to note that there is a time and a place for both traditional temporary office trailers and shipping container modular office trailers. So how can you determine which type of trailer is right for your organization? Answer the following four questions.

1.) How much space does my company need? 

Will your organization be satisfied with the size of a trailer or will more space be desired? Purchasing multiple single unit offices or an overall larger structure can help meet this need. In the case of shipping containers, multiple containers can be combined into one larger structure while remaining mobile. Multiple single units can be purchased as well, but keep in mind that if you plan to purchase multiple single unit trailers it’s often most efficient to order all your desired trailers at once, depending on when you need them. To determine how much space you need, take a look at the standard sizes for shipping containers.

2.) Should my company rent or buy an office trailer?

Renting a trailer is a great option if you only need the structure for a short period of time, say a year or two. If you plan to use your job trailer for multiple years, or if you ever want to relocate the structure, it’s smart to consider a repurposed shipping container specific to your needs. The durability and longevity of a shipping container means a lower cost of ownership over its long lifespan.

3.) Does my company need additional modifications?

Additional modifications may range from adding a few extra outlets to adding structural element such as walls, windows, or doors. The ability to customize a mobile office trailer to meet your company’s specific needs may be a big priority. If this is the case, keep in mind that portable office rentals can’t be altered. Consider working with a company who can customize your office trailer for your needs.

4.) Where exactly will the portable office trailer go?

Both traditional office trailers and shipping container office trailers are great portable structures because they can be deployed quickly. Businesses that work in rugged environments opt for container-based portable offices because they are able to withstand rough travel and harsh climates. Unlike traditional mobile office trailers, repurposed shipping containers have already traveled across an ocean carrying valuable cargo. They have proven their durability and are built to function for around 25 years. Thanks to their stackable nature, shipping containers can easily be lifted by a crane and placed into hard to reach locations or moved around with a forklift by their built-in forklift pockets.

Are you still unsure about what option works better for your organization? Give us a call at 877-704-0177 or drop us a line at sales@falconstructures.com to chat with an expert. We’ve had over 13 years of experience with shipping containers, so we know which projects work for particular applications. We’re happy to advise and point in you the right direction.