Portable Office Trailers: A Complete Buying Guide

Key Takeaways

Renting portable office trailers involves lower costs upfront and a fast turnaround.
Buying a mobile office structure provides the flexibility to customize and has resale value.
You should consider all the other pros and cons of renting vs. buying.
It’s best to plan ahead for site preparation work ahead of your new office, including ground levelling (if possible), delivery logistics, and permits.
BOXX Canada offers different floor plans for mobile, portable, or container offices, so you can shop for a temporary structure that fits your needs.
Our structures are a durable, long-lasting investment because of the excellent materials we use, our adherence to building codes, and our rigorous production standards.

Site Preparation for Your Portable Office Trailers

Before you shop, it’s key to consider how often you’ll need to relocate your office trailer(s) and some other site details. Doing so will help you select the best structure to fit your plans.

What Site(s) Will You Need To Account For?

Whether you’re working in a city or a remote location, think about the landscape that will be underneath the trailer. Is it uneven? Is it paved or unpaved? What equipment do you have to relocate your portable office, and what’s commonly used in your geographical region?

Other things to consider are: What are the weather, terrain, and transportation rules of the province(s) you’ll be working in? For example, In Alberta, your field office trailer may need licensing if it’s on wheels, which may mean it’s best to use a skidded office you can move on a flatbed truck. Alternatively, Ontario doesn’t have the same requirements for wheeled trailers, so picking a mobile unit is likely the better option.

What’s The Size / Setup Of Your Delivery Site?

How you’re able to get your new portable office delivered will play a role in what size you can rent or purchase. You’ll need to make sure the trailer’s length, width, and height can be accommodated, along with any maneuvering it’ll need to do.

What Permits / Regulations Do You Need To Follow?

It’s important to research local permit requirements to make sure you stay compliant. Verify if there are any rules for temporary office structures before you shop for one.

Choosing Your Portable Site Office

Now that you’ve determined the requirements of your work site along with the necessary permits, it’s time to look at different size and layout options. At BOXX Canada, we offer open plans, private offices, and conference-style spaces.

One of the advantages of our office trailer selection is that you can also select furniture add-ons like conference, workspace, and kitchenette packages. With our furniture packages, you can get your new space up and running fast.

Selecting A Reputable Supplier

If this is your first time shopping for a portable office, it’s natural to have questions about modular structures. There are a lot of misconceptions about the industry, with fast timelines leading to concerns about quality (timelines are faster due to the prefabricated approach, with quality remaining the same) and questions about how long a portable office trailer lasts (our buildings can last just as long as a traditional structure when properly maintained).

At BOXX Canada, we understand your portable office is an investment and we want to ensure you get the most out of it. That’s why every structure we build follows the same codes and regulations as traditional construction. We also use quality materials such as wood trusses, drywall or vinyl-covered gypsum, drop ceilings, double-pane glass, solid-core doors, and more. Checkout our page comparing modular against the conventional construction process for more information.

Ultimately, your goal is to expand your space with ease, and we’re here to make sure that happens by finding you the right portable office for your needs, and enhancing the overall experience of your next project.