It can be incredibly stressful when your business, school, or construction project suddenly runs out of space. You need a solution fast to keep things running smoothly, but you also want a space that is comfortable, safe, and reliable.

Opting for modular building hire is a brilliant way to solve this headache. It gives you all the extra room you need without the massive disruption, noise, and weather delays of a traditional building site. However, taking on modular buildings for hire isn’t quite as simple as ordering a parcel online. There are a few important things to think about before you sign on the dotted line.

At Paragon Space, we help people navigate this process every single day. We know exactly what can catch people out, so we have put together this clear guide on what you need to consider before securing your temporary space.

Picture Exactly How You Will Use the Space

Modular buildings are wonderfully versatile, acting essentially as a blank canvas. But to get the most out of your hire, you need to know exactly what you are going to need.

Before speaking to a provider, try to picture a typical Tuesday in your new space. Are thirty noisy schoolchildren trying to find their coats, or is a team of quiet accountants doing their taxes? The way people use the space changes everything about the layout. You need to think about how many people will be inside at any one time, whether you need separate partitioned rooms for private meetings, and if you require built-in toilets or a kitchenette for making a cup of tea. 

Taking the time to write down a simple 'wish list' helps us suggest a layout that works perfectly for your daily routine.

Think About the Delivery Journey and Your Site

One of the best things about modular buildings is that they are built off-site and driven straight to you. This makes the delivery incredibly fast, but it also means an articulated lorry has to physically reach your location.

Take a walk around your site and look at the roads leading up to it. Are there narrow country lanes, low bridges, overhead cables, or tight entrance gates that a large lorry might struggle to get through? Once the lorry arrives, a crane will lift the building into place. We also need to look at the ground it will sit on. It doesn't need to be a perfectly smooth tarmac car park, but it does need to be solid, safe, and relatively level. 

Finally, placing your building near your existing water and electricity supplies will save you a lot of time and money when it comes to getting everything connected.

Decide How Long You Need the Building

It sounds obvious, but knowing roughly how long you will need the extra room completely changes the kind of building you should hire, as well as your contract.

If you have had a sudden emergency, like a flood or a severe leak, you might just need a basic, reliable space for a few weeks while repairs happen. Standard, ready-to-go units are perfect for this. On the other hand, if your school is running a three-year expansion programme, you will likely want something that feels much more permanent and tailored to you. 

Don't worry if your plans aren't totally fixed, though. Projects run over all the time, and a good provider will offer a flexible hire agreement that lets you keep the building for a bit longer if you need to, without any stress.

Making it Comfortable and Welcoming

There is an old myth that temporary buildings are drafty, cold, and uncomfortable. Thankfully, things have moved on a long way! Today's temporary spaces are bright, warm, and highly professional environments.

When you are looking at your options, make sure you ask about heating and air conditioning. British weather likes to keep us guessing, so you want to be comfortably cool in the summer and warm in the winter. You should also think about making the space accessible for everyone, which might mean adding gentle access ramps or wider doors for wheelchair users. 

If you are going to have customers or clients visiting, you can even chat with us about adding your corporate colours or specific finishes so the building feels like a true extension of your brand.

The Reality of Planning Permission

This is the area that catches the most people out. It is very easy to assume that because a building is 'temporary', you can just drop it into your car park and forget about the paperwork.

In reality, if your building is going to be in place for more than 28 days, you will almost certainly need to get planning permission from your local council. You also need to make sure the building meets UK Building Regulations, which cover vital things like fire safety and insulation. 

This can feel a bit overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. We regularly provide our clients with the professional architectural drawings and technical details they need to make the planning application smooth and straightforward.

Choose Paragon Space for a Team You Can Trust

At the end of the day, your project will only be as stress-free as the people you choose to work with. You need a partner who builds to the highest standard and looks after you even after the building has been dropped off. Look for a manufacturer that has a track record of delivering on their promises.

At Paragon Space, we pride ourselves on building excellent spaces right here in the UK and guiding our clients through every single step of the journey. If you have a project you want to get started on, chat to our friendly team today.