What You Need to Know About Placing a Mobile Office Trailer
Shopping around for office trailers is difficult, but placing them correctly and legally can be even tougher. Learn more about how to place an office trailer somewhere the right way.
Mobile office trailers have become a common alternative for businesses that want to have more space at a cost-effective price. Whether it is for storage of office administration purposes, temporary space will be a necessity at one point or another. Before you think of setting up a mobile office trailer, there is what you need to know about placing a mobile office trailer.
A mobile office trailer refers to a pre-manufactured portable office. It sits on a set of wheels and a trailer base. It is an off-the-ground office that requires a ramp or a set of stairs.
Let’s take a look at some factors you will want to consider when choosing this type of structure.
Features of a Mobile Office Trailer
Office trailers usually have a standard design as they are pre-manufactured for specific use across the board. They come with:
- Wooden siding
- Windows
- Stairs/ramp
- Lighting
- Vinyl flooring
- Bathroom
- Kitchen area
- A locking mechanism that is highly secure
- Metal Roof
- Partitioned workstations or storage areas.
Depending on the supplier, you might have to pay an additional fee to get other specific features. Ensure that you confirm before it is packaged for delivery.
Benefits of Using a Mobile Office
They are Affordable
If you require office space for less than three years, it is more cost effective to get a mobile trailer. It will cost you less than lease office space in a permanent building.
Depending on the available funds, you can choose to buy or lease a trailer. Leasing is relatively expensive than buying as very few people would find utility for a long period.
They are Flexible
One advantage of using a mobile office trailer is in its ease of disposal. After you are done using it, you can resell it to the vendor who sold it to you or find a new buyer. Since they are made to suit your business operations, you can have it customized in the way that you deem fit.
Ease of Setting Up
The best thing about mobile trailers is that they can be set up anywhere. All you need is sufficient space to hold them. If the land is leveled, you do not have to worry about groundwork.
Find Out If You Need a Permit for the Mobile Office
Before you start the process of ordering a mobile office trailer, it is crucial to find out the permit requirements for your area of operation. In most cases, you will not require to have a permit for your mobile office on your property. In other cases, it is not in white and black, and this is why you need to be in the know.
Being at par with the permit requirements will save you from hefty fines. In a worst case scenario, you will be required to pay for the removal of the office trailer.
You can do without a permit if you plan to use your mobile office for temporary storage or administration purposes. If you have a construction project on site, you will also not need a permit. The ground-breaking license should be inclusive of the mobile office.
Some municipalities have strict zoning regulations that require an addition permit. Make sure that you confirm in advance.
When to Get a Permit
There are situations where you need not bargain about getting a permit lest you get in trouble.
When you set it up in a residential neighborhood, you will require a permit. This is regardless of whether you have a temporary construction project. You might even have to notify the neighborhood association of your intent to set up a mobile office.
Make it easier for yourself by being on the right side of the residents.
If it is a Stand-Alone Office
If you plan to use the trailer for more than a few months as an office, you will need a full permit. The city will want to know the details about the location of the property, the structure, ground leveling, and type of foundation. Will you have utility connections, fire alarm or sprinkler?
These are details that the city department will want to know before issuing you with a permit.
Areas with High Traffic
Areas that experience high traffic have stricter requirements. A place that has a shopping center, sports event, or an art exhibit may be a no-go-zone for mobile office trailer. Alternatively, you can place the container during the offseason of the busy area.
Zoning Requirements
Every municipality and city has different requirements for planning. In some jurisdictions, it might be vital to get a zoning variance approval before placing a mobile office.
The responsibility of obtaining a mobile office trailer permit lies with you. The supplier is not responsible for doing the legal work for you. Most of them are knowledgeable in this area, but the most they can do is advise you to get a permit.
The Bottom Line
Getting a mobile office trailer is a good thought for a business that wants to have some temporary space. Whether you are in government, medical, education, retail, or construction sector, a mobile office trailer can work fine for you.
Before placing an order for your custom-made office trailer, ensure that the ground is level and the site ready for delivery. You also need to have your measurements right. Will your site accommodate the size of the trailer that will be delivered? Plan to have some extra space after the trailer has been positioned.
This will ensure that you have a comfortable breathing space after the trailer has been positioned. Lastly, do not forget the permits. You now know what to do about them. Avoid having hefty fines slapped on you.
If you’re looking to buy or rent new or used mobile office trailers, we’re here to help. Just get started by comparing quotes.
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