What is a Mobile Office Trailer and How Do I Choose the Right One?
When you pass by a construction site, you mostly only see heavy machinery and people hard at work. What you don’t see is the management team making it all happen inside their mobile office trailer. Here we discuss what a mobile office trailer is and why every construction site needs one.
The construction business takes you to many places. Consequently, it can be difficult to discuss a project in a friendly and productive environment, especially because you cannot have all the tools necessary for a successful office space in a convenient location on-site.
Or can you?
With a mobile office trailer, project managers and crew members have everything required to plan, discuss and contemplate a project. But finding the office trailer that’s right for you requires some foresight and planning.
So where do you begin?
We’ll show you the way.
What Is It?
A portable office trailer is exactly like you would picture: an office on wheels.
Trailers, shipping containers, motorhomes and trucks are converted for work and made with an office setting in mind. These locations have various floor plans, office features and security options. They are ideal for any worker who needs a hub of operations while in the field:
- Construction workers
- Traveling electricians
- Engineering teams
- Emergency and disaster personnel
Portable trailers are available new or used, and they can also be rented. Trailer types have the advantage of versatility compared to simpler designs, although features vary.
Most rented trailers cost $1,000 to $5,000 and can be ready to go within 48 hours.
Advantages of a Mobile Office
Portable offices have a plethora of advantages that impact you, the team and your project’s success.
Features
Firstly, many of the features offered in a portable office are on-site. Sure, some of the same amenities exist elsewhere, but it’s much more convenient to send a fax while on the job rather than to hunt one down at a hotel or library later.
The features make these trailers worthwhile:
- Fax
- Phone
- Internet
- Electricity
- Water
- Restrooms
- Air conditioning
Instead of leaving your office behind at headquarters, you simply take it with you, plug in and get to work.
Time
Construction work is all about staying on schedule. But if you have to move off-site to take a phone call, send important documents or discuss your plan of action, it wastes valuable time that could be used to complete the project.
Instead, everything is right there when you need it. You will have access to all the materials and blueprints you need. Rather than lugging them back and forth from wherever you’re staying to the job site, they can be stored at the project itself.
Collaboration
You won’t have to hunt down your foremen or try to spread news and updates through word-of-mouth. The entire crew can assemble at the office, discuss plans and know exactly what should be done for the day.
Effective communication is vital for a successful job. It allows coordinated results and continual reassessments with the entire team present, reducing the risk of rework or confusion.
It also motivates employees. Research indicates motivation derives from responsibility and the scope of achievement for the role. Sure, owners and foremen could use an online platform to communicate necessary strategies, but this method’s detachment can lead to a lack of motivation and sense of responsibility.
All construction workers know projects rarely go smoothly. Something unexpected occurs or plans need to be changed. Having an on-site office also allows these plans to be easily conveyed.
Increased Productivity
As you can guess, all of this increases productivity. But the availability of a workspace alone boosts productivity, too.
Countless reports indicate a proper environment enhances employee productivity. Having space where workers can relax, work without noise, have access to natural light and have access to quick, convenient technology boosts the amount of work completed.
A portable trailer provides all of this, and many offer flexible choices in design.
Choosing the Office Trailer That’s Right for You
So how do you choose the right trailer that’s perfect for your needs? Your first priority is determining what, exactly, your needs are and matching it to the appropriate trailer office.
What Do You Need?
Office trailers come fully-loaded or with the bare minimum. What do you and your workers need to complete a job? Consider requirements first and then luxury features.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I need storage space?
- What technology is necessary for efficient work?
- Do I work on projects that limit the office trailer size I could have?
- What additional features would encourage a healthy workplace setting?
- Is a durable exterior material necessary?
Rent or Buy?
Now that you have a general idea of the features you will need, it’s time to consider how much control you’d like to have over the office.
If you rarely need a trailer, renting when the need strikes is an excellent option. It saves money and eliminates the hassles of owning a trailer. However, if you travel often, purchasing or leasing a mobile office may be a better alternative.
Keep in mind while buying or leasing requires you to maintain upkeep, it also means you can move your office whenever it’s optimal.
Capacity
Next, consider how many people will be in the trailer. If you have a large crew, you’ll need a large trailer. If you have a smaller crew, you can get by with a small trailer.
The general rule of thumb for office space is 100 to 150 square feet per person. Some trailers are designed for up to 10 people (24′ X 64′).
Research
Next, it’s time to research and obtain quotes from various companies. Always check that a business provides trailers with built-in safety features and security. It’s also a good idea to make sure a company’s mobile offices follow all building codes and regulations for the area it will be placed in.
Optimize Your Mobile Offices Efficiency
If you travel often for the job and you’re ready to optimize your efficiency at work, a mobile office is the right choice for you. And now that you know how to find the office trailer suitable for your needs, you have only one step left: to purchase or rent one!
If you want to find the best mobile office for you and your crew, increase your productivity and avoid the hassles of extra travel, compare quotes on our website. Comparing prices saves consumers up to 30%.
Construction is exhausting work, and you deserve to have everything on-site to make your and your crew’s work life more comfortable. While investing in a trailer office may be expensive at first, the advantages it offers more than make up for initial costs.
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