Author Archives: Modular Mark

Used Modular Office Buildings for Quick Deployment

Mobile Offices, Modular Office Buildings, Used Modular Offices

When you need office space fast, don’t overlook the wide variety of used modular office buildings that can be deployed quickly without sacrificing aesthetics or durability. Most modular builders, such as Modular Genius, have pre-owned modular offices in stock in excellent condition and priced for significant savings.

Used models are usually available in a wide variety of dimensions, square footage of less than 1,000 square feet to more than 20,000 square feet, a variety of siding options, roofing materials, and wall and floor finishes.  They can be painted or sided on the exterior, and the interior floor plans can be reconfigured to meet your specific requirements. It’s often possible to move the doors and windows and add ADA-compliant ramps and steps, all at a fraction of the cost of new construction.

Used Modular Buildings

Benefits of Used Modular Buildings:

Questions to Ask:

Some companies offer their used modular buildings “as-is,” while others certify that their stock of used buildings has been thoroughly inspected and include a warranty on any repairs they made. Here are some other suggestions to make your purchase of used modular structures worry-free.

  1. Local building permits
    Be sure that your pre-owned modular office meets any required local building codes. Call the building department of your municipality to find out if a conditional use permit will be required for the structure before delivery day.
  2. Condition
    Carefully check the condition of the structures to see if they need to be repainted, repaired or renovated. If the modular buildings were properly maintained, they should continue to serve you for many years.
  3. Warranty
    Does the seller offer any kind of warranty? Before you buy, it’s important to know if the modules have been inspected for weather tightness, structural integrity, mechanical HVAC operation, and electrical and plumbing compliance.
  4. Cost
    You may be able to realize savings up to 10% to 40% off of labor and materials because the underlying structures are being recycled and reused. If your business has a flexible budget, weigh the prices of used modules against those of new modular buildings. Although you may have to wait longer and pay more, you will be able to get exactly what you want with a better warranty.
  5. Delivery/Setup
    Will the seller deliver the modular structures to your site and set them up for you (and is this included in the price), or will you be expected to move and set up everything yourself? Is there already a foundation on the construction site for the structures, or does this need to be done before your used modules can be delivered? Many modular manufacturers can take care of site preparation for you.

If you are thinking that all modular buildings look like boring construction-site trailers, we recommend taking a look at the Modular Building Institute’s 2014 Awards of Distinction to see the creativity and innovation in the world of modular buildings today.

Used modular office buildings can get your business up and running quickly and help you generate revenue far sooner than if you wait for new construction. Modular offices are a fast, eco-friendly solution when you need extra space for a jobsite / construction office, real estate office, law office, school administration office, medical office, dental clinic, veterinarian clinic, security office, or any other permanent or temporary office you can imagine.

Modular Office Space

Mobile Offices, Modular Educational Buildings, Modular Healthcare Buildings, Modular Military Office Buildings, Modular Office Buildings, Modular School Office Buildings, Permanent Modular Buildings

You may be pleasantly surprised to find out what can be accomplished today with modular office space. Modular construction is faster, less expensive, less disruptive, and more environmentally responsible than conventional construction. Modular buildings have evolved far beyond the portable office trailers we remember from the past and, today, a modular office building is a smart, fast way to expand.

With the integration of 3D design software, modern state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies, and mechanized quality control, modular construction can now solve a wide range of residential, commercial and industrial needs, both temporary and permanent. In the case of office space, some examples of common uses include:

High-quality design-to-occupancy modular buildings offer customizable floor plans with an unlimited number of designs and styles to meet your unique design specifications. They can be designed to harmonize with any surrounding environment using brick, stucco, or vinyl siding, and custom architectural features. When the National Park Service was in need of a modular ranger station on Assateague Island, Modular Genius designed and delivered a solution that blended beautifully with their Cape Cod location.

Modular Office Space

If your budget won’t permit you to build what you want the conventional way, don’t overlook modular offices. They can be designed in a wide variety of dimensions, square footage of under 1,000 square feet to more than 20,000 square feet, a variety of siding options, roofing materials, and wall and floor finishes, and are priced to provide substantial savings.

The factory manufacturing process is precise, energy-efficient and not slowed by poor weather. Grading, foundations, utilities, paving and some landscaping take place at the site while the modules are being fabricated in the factory. Customers experience less waste, controllable costs, and their strict deadlines can be met without the delays inherent in traditional construction projects.

When you need a permanent or temporary solution to expand or to replace a stick-built building that needs too much maintenance, no other method of construction can provide a faster solution than modular office buildings. And, as you grow, the structures can move with you or be easily expanded.

Modular structures adhere to the same building standards and occupancy codes as conventionally built structures and are equally strong.  Since they have to be transported by truck to the construction site, special consideration is given to building them to withstand wind and poor weather. With proper care and maintenance, modular office buildings can last 25 to 30 years.

Another advantage is that you can balance cost and environmental concerns. New modular building units are LEED-certified. They are durable, fire-resistant and mold-resistant. They can be enhanced with energy-efficient utilities, eco-friendly insulation, no-VOC or low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) interior wall and floor treatments, or efficient automatic sensors for lights and heating systems to make them exceptionally eco-friendly.

Modular offices can stand on their own as individual units or be combined to create large structures. Even multi-story structures larger than 100,000 SF, complete with elevators, are possible.  And you can always add on to your modular office space when you need to expand without breaking the bank.

Modular Office Trailer

Commercial Modular Buildings, Government Modular Buildings, Mobile Offices, Modular Educational Buildings, Modular Healthcare Buildings, Modular Military Office Buildings, Modular Office Buildings, Modular School Office Buildings

Most people are familiar with traditional mobile offices that appear on nearly every construction site. The ability to build and relocate them quickly makes them indispensible for commercial builders. However, modular office trailers are also ideal for in-plant buildings and field offices, and offer the following advantages:

Durability

Portable modular structures are built to the same standards as conventionally built structures and are equally strong.  They adhere to the same building and occupancy codes. Due to the fact that they must be transported by truck to the construction site, extra attention is paid to their ability to withstand wind and poor weather along the way. With proper care and maintenance, modular trailers can last 25 to 30 years.

Cost-effectiveness

Not only are the costs of prefabricated offices about 20% lower than their stick-built counterparts, time is money, and modular buildings can be delivered in about half the time. Plumbing and electrical wiring are pre-installed, and quality control inspections are completed before the modules are delivered to the site at about 80% to 90% completion. This reduces the need for multiple subcontractors when the structure is put in place. So it is a wise move to consider buying used modular buildings if you are on a budget.

Modular Office Trailer

Speed of construction

Customers can generally occupy a modular office about 50% sooner than a conventional building, so modular trailers are an ideal solution for jobsites where there is an urgent need for space. Plumbing and electrical wiring are pre-installed, leaving a minimum of work to be done on delivery. Modular Genius in Joppa, Maryland, constructed, transported and assembled single-wide modular office cabins in a remote location in Alaska in about 60 days.

Eco-friendly and sustainable

Modular offices allow you to balance environmental concerns with cost. New modular units are often built with recycled steel, making them strong, fire-resistant and mold-resistant, and they are LEED-certified. Customers can choose from a variety of green elements to enhance the indoor air quality and environmental friendliness of their eco-friendly modular buildings, such as energy-efficient utilities, eco-friendly insulation, no-VOC or low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) interior wall and floor treatments, or efficient automatic sensors for lights and heating systems.

Flexibility

Another important feature of modular offices is their flexibility.  Modules can stand on their own as individual units or combined to create larger structures. They can even be multi-story structures in excess of 100,000 SF, complete with elevators. Customers can easily add on modules when the need for more space arises.

Easy to move

Modular offices are typically available for immediate delivery. They are usually moveable by forklift and can be easily moved to another location when no longer needed, an option that is obviously not available with traditional stick-built structures.

Unlimited design options

Today’s state-of-the-art design and construction technologies mean that you can purchase modular offices that are both functional and attractive, and blend seamlessly into their surroundings.  There are a wide range of choices for exterior and interior designs and floor plans.  Single and multi-story designs can be designed to suit any conceivable purpose, with exterior finishes such as brick, stucco, siding and other architectural surfaces.

Mobile office trailer design options are virtually unlimited, and the finished structures are difficult to differentiate from conventionally built buildings. For example, take a look at one of the Modular Building Institute’s Awards of Distinction for a relocatable office design at White Sands Missile Range. Consider modular as an option when you need high-quality temporary office space.

Government Modular Buildings

Government Modular Buildings, Mobile Offices, Modular Healthcare Buildings, Modular Military Office Buildings, Modular Office Buildings, Permanent Modular Buildings

Modular construction is ideal for administrative offices, military facilities, and other public and government buildings. Not only are these buildings cost-effective and code-compliant, but modular government buildings can be up and running in half the time as on-site projects. They also have some other notable advantages.

Blast Resistance

In the military or defense industries, and any industry where there is an increased chance of explosion, fire, or danger from toxic materials, blast resistant modular buildings provide a safe environment for working, sleeping and storing sensitive equipment.

The inherent design of modular buildings gives them greater flexibility in comparison to reinforced concrete and masonry buildings. They have the ability to bounce back under significant blasts without collapsing under pressure. The roof is also far less likely to give way, dramatically reducing the chance of casualties.

To meet strict specifications, mobile structures such as blast resistant modular buildings can be customized with:

  • ultraviolet and corrosion-resistant exterior coatings
  • blast-proof windows and doors
  • custom interior flooring
  • hard surface countertops
  • drop ceilings
  • progressive collapse capabilities
  • outfitting for extreme temperature fluctuations, humidity and dust levels

Modular Buildings for used by Government Agencies

Relief Barracks

Long, drawn-out site-built construction projects are not efficient when faced with urgent training requirements (often in remote locations) and rapid troop expansions.  Base realignment and closure actions and force structure changes highlight the capabilities of modular buildings for relief living space projects.

Applications for modular living quarters include:

  • one-plus-one modules
  • open-bay barracks / modular dormitories
  • bunkhouses
  • temporary or permanent showers and latrines
  • classroom and training space
  • search and rescue stations
  • equipment shelters
  • Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIF)

An unlimited variety of designs and floor plans is available, and structures can be manufactured, delivered and installed at a prepared site in a matter of weeks. Modular Genius in Joppa, MD, for example, installed a 3,136 Sq Ft award-winning government sleeping quarters project in 120 days.

Prefab modular barracks have uses in private industry as well, and are most often used for firefighting crews, oilfield and mining “man camps”, and in many other applications.

Storage for Flammable and Combustible Materials

The expense of building specialized facilities to store toxic and/or flammable materials can be high. When conventionally built, the structures cannot be relocated, and it may be difficult to determine if they meet the increasingly stringent code standards for fire resistance, secondary containment and structural strength.

Today, modular buildings can be reliably designed to meet specific requirements for fire resistant, hazardous material storage buildings. They can resist wind, snow and internal explosion loads and provide secondary containment to meet all relevant fire codes.

They can also be energy-efficient and eco-friendly. Visit GSA Modular Buildings to find out more about one of the only modular building manufacturers that offers green modular buildings to the Federal government.

Modular buildings for any government agency or department can be built to meet specific requirements with regards to site-specific building construction, anti-terrorism and force protection, SCIF, fire protection, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and communications. Consider them for your most critical applications.

Portable Office Buildings

Commercial Modular Buildings, Government Modular Buildings, Mobile Offices, Modular Church Office Buildings, Modular Educational Buildings, Modular Healthcare Buildings, Modular Military Office Buildings, Modular Office Buildings, Modular School Office Buildings, Permanent Modular Buildings

Relocatable modular buildings are designed to be reused or re-purposed multiple times and transported to different building sites. They are a practical time and money saving alternative to conventional site-built structures. Portable office buildings have grown in popularity as businesses discover their many advantages.

Modular construction serves a broad client base and can meet the space requirements of governments, schools, retail establishments, medical/hospital providers, restaurants, churches, banks, military facilities, work camps, correctional facilities and more.

Portable Office Buildings

When production demands increase, portable buildings can temporarily enlarge a facility without permanently altering or disrupting the building site. In many cases, businesses can quickly expand without going through lengthy budget approval processes that traditional brick and mortar construction often requires.

Portable modular offices can be configured to include independent offices, conference rooms, and large open spaces for cubicles or other partition systems. They can be used as classrooms, sales offices, in-plant offices and general commercial offices. The design and floor plan possibilities are endless.

What Makes Modular Construction Unique?

One distinct advantage to modular construction is that modules are assembled in a factory at the same time site preparation is underway. Plumbing and electrical wiring are pre-installed, and quality control inspections are completed before the modules are delivered to the site for assembly. Modules are 80-90% complete when delivered to the site, which allows for earlier occupancy and reduces costs.

Another unique feature of modular construction is the ability to construct all of the parts simultaneously. In conventional stick-built construction, floors must be in place before walls can be erected, and walls must be erected before ceilings can be added. This is not the case with modular construction. Thanks to new technologies and construction practices, all components are built at the same time and factory-assembled into a building, speeding up completion by approximately 40%.

An Environmentally Friendly Process

The fact that modules are built off-site in a controlled factory environment means that there is far less waste than traditional construction. A study by the Waste & Resources Action Progamme (WARP) in the U.K. found that the use of volumetric (modular) construction has the potential to reduce on-site waste by 90%. The manufacturing process uses less energy and water, and materials waste is controlled with stringent manufacturing controls. Of course, portable buildings provide another way to reduce waste. They can be disassembled and moved to another location, something that simply is not possible with a conventionally built structure.

Modular buildings are help businesses comply with the highest green building standards, including LEED® certification. Most new modular units are built with recycled steel, making them strong, fire-resistant and mold-resistant. The manufacturing process uses less energy and water, and materials waste is controlled with stringent manufacturing controls. Energy-efficient utilities, eco-friendly insulation and no-VOC or low-VOC interior wall and floor treatments can be installed to reduce a building’s environmental impact.

If you have been considering a portable office building to solve an urgent need for more space but are afraid you will be disappointed by a boring, boxy structure, take another look at the innovative “Modular Building of the Month” at the Modular Building Institute’s website to see how far modular construction has come from the old days of flimsy portable classrooms.

Modular Medical Office Buildings

Commercial Modular Buildings, Government Modular Buildings, Mobile Offices, Modular Church Office Buildings, Modular Educational Buildings, Modular Healthcare Buildings, Modular Military Office Buildings, Modular Office Buildings, Modular School Office Buildings, Permanent Modular Buildings

Modular medical office buildings can resolve many areas of concern in the healthcare industry when a medical or hospital facility is at capacity and needs more space.

Today’s innovative modular solutions are a cost-effective way to accommodate more patients and provide state-of-the-art treatment facilities in a fraction of the time it takes to construct a traditional brick and mortar building.

Modular Medical Office Buildings

Customize standalone suites or install permanent additions to existing buildings. Add office space for administrative staff. Modernize a rehab or imaging center. Move expensive imaging equipment out of the basement and into a convenient facility with the proper technical requirements.

The possibilities are endless. Choose from a wide range of existing designs and floor plans or design a new facility from the ground up.

Modular medical buildings are an ideal turnkey solution for these purposes and more:

  • Medical Office Buildings
  • Acute Care Hospital Facilities
  • Emergency Rooms
  • Diagnostic Imaging Centers
  • Dialysis Centers
  • Outpatient Clinics
  • Operating Rooms
  • Research Centers
  • Wellness Centers
  • Skilled Nursing Facilities
  • Assisted Living Centers
  • Pharmacies
  • Laboratories

Adding extra space the conventional “stick-built” way can be a time-consuming and expensive project. Poor weather conditions wreak havoc on construction schedules, and noise, dust and debris on the building site can be very disruptive to patients and visitors. Modular structures can be used when temporary space is required, but can also be used for long-term or permanent space.

An excellent example of an advanced modular healthcare solution is the Park Nicollet Health Services imaging building which won the Modular Building Institute’s 2014 Award of Distinction. A four-module building adjacent to the main clinic was constructed and delivered in 78 days and included radio frequency and magnetic shielding to accommodate MRI equipment, as well as lead lined walls, doors and windows for a CT scanner. Temperature and humidity controls were installed. The facility was able to minimize cost and generate revenue more quickly through an earlier start-up.

Many modular builders, such as Modular Genius in Joppa, MO, have fabrication facilities throughout the country and can build your modules close to the building site to help you meet strict deadlines. When the modules leave the factory, they are about 90% complete and have been engineered so that stairwells, water lines, HVAC, electrical lines, and other systems are already in place. In half the time of traditional construction, modules can be transported to the building site, connected like building blocks, and be recouping your investment.

Modular buildings are also a cost-effective means of complying with the highest green building standards, including LEED® certification. Most new modular units are built with recycled steel, making them strong, fire-resistant and mold-resistant.

The manufacturing process uses less energy and water, and materials waste is controlled with stringent manufacturing controls. Energy-efficient utilities, eco-friendly insulation and no-VOC or low-VOC interior wall and floor treatments can be installed to reduce a building’s environmental impact.

Whether you need a multi-story patient care building, a standalone laboratory, or a complete mobile healthcare clinic, modular construction allows you to quickly improve revenue flow and provide patients with comfortable, modern, well-equipped facilities. Manage your construction budget without sacrificing quality by investigating the many options available today for modular medical office buildings.

Modular Office Buildings For Sale

Commercial Modular Buildings, Government Modular Buildings, Mobile Offices, Modular Church Office Buildings, Modular Educational Buildings, Modular Healthcare Buildings, Modular Military Office Buildings, Modular Office Buildings, Modular School Office Buildings, Permanent Modular Buildings

What is the first thing that enters your mind when you look for modular office buildings for sale? Drafty trailers that roll around on axles and wheels, or boxy, flimsy and uninviting temporary workspaces?

Think again; technology and construction techniques have progressed to the point that you may not be able to distinguish modular from stick-built.

Modular office buildings use the same high-quality materials, meet the same building codes and are subject to the same stringent inspections as traditionally built structures, but over 80% of it is completed off-site and delivered in sections to the prepared site for assembly.

Modular Office Buildings For Sale

Countless Design Options

Today, businesses can build modular offices that are both functional and attractive, and blend seamlessly into their surroundings. Choose from a wide range of exterior and interior designs and floor plans. Integrate impressive entrances, customized rooflines, canopies, porticos and unique door and window treatments. Go single or multi-story and finish the exterior in brick, stucco, siding and other architectural surfaces.

The design options are virtually unlimited, and the finished structure is difficult to differentiate from a conventionally built building.

Flexibility

Modules can stand alone as individual buildings or can be combined to create larger structures. While you may have seen one-story modular buildings, consider multi-story structures larger than 100,000 SF, complete with elevators. Expand office space by adding modules as they are needed.

And portable office buildings can be easily moved to another location when necessary, or disassembled and reconfigured or renovated for a different purpose. Cypress Ridge Winery is an excellent example of a successful modular renovation and expansion.

Faster Turnaround Time

The primary difference between a modular building and a conventional stick-built one is the way it’s constructed. The prefabricated modules are built in a factory at the same time that construction site preparations (foundation and grading) are underway.

Plumbing and electrical wiring are pre-installed, and quality control inspections are completed before the modules are delivered to the site at about 80% to 90% completions, ready for assembly like building blocks. Factory manufacturing is unaffected by weather and construction site delays.

Customers can generally occupy a modular building about 50% sooner than a conventional building, which translates to significant savings.

Lower Costs

Builders have been using modular techniques for decades to speed up construction and reduce costs (think pre-hung cabinets, windows and doors). Building, pre-wiring and rough plumbing 80% of a modular structure in a factory eliminates the need for multiple subcontractors on the jobsite. Modular Genius in Maryland, for example, provides complete turn-key services and serves as general contractor for all aspects of the modular construction process from initial drawings to delivery and completion.

Environmentally Friendly

New modular units are often built with recycled steel, making them strong, fire-resistant and mold-resistant, and they are LEED-certified. Factory manufacturing results in less waste and eliminates dust, debris and noise on the construction site. Environmentally friendly enhancements include energy-efficient utilities, eco-friendly insulation, no-VOC or low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) interior wall and floor treatments, as well as automatic sensors for lights and heating systems.

Whether you need a sales office for a single agent or a sophisticated multi-story office building for a complete customer service call center, you will find modular office buildings for sale across the country to provide you with a temporary or permanent space solution.