Portable & Practical: A Guide to Relocating BOXX Modular Structures

Planning a modular structure relocation? Whether you're moving across town or across provinces, this blog provides a general guide for relocating modular structures and modular units.

When relocating modular structures, the process begins with disassembling and removing your building. 

• Remove exterior materials. The first step is removing all exterior skirting, which is the wooden (plywood), vinyl, metal, or decorative material covering the base of your building. Any decks, ramps, stairs and entryways, gutters, and exterior seaming materials from the roof and walls will also need to be dismantled. 
• Disconnect all utilities. It is necessary to disconnect plumbing (sewage/water), gas lines, electrical, and other utilities before moving a mobile trailer.

For complexed units, interconnects, disconnects, and separations must be done prior to prepping units for transport. 

• Dismantle interior seams. Seaming materials from the inside of the building will need to be detached, including the floors, roof, and walls.
• Dismantle interior components. Internal cross-seam ductwork, electrical connections, security alarms, and sprinkler systems will need to be dismantled.
• Separate modules. After all elements have been properly detached and dismantled, individual module sections can be separated from the foundation and prepared for transportation.

The second phase of relocating modular structures includes prepping the new location for installation and assembly. While your building is being disassembled and transported, the new site should be prepped for the arrival of your module(s). 

• Check the new site. At the new building site, the foundation will need to be adequately prepared by evaluating the soil type and drainage. Depending on location, some excavation may be necessary. Ideally, this step will occur before disassembling the current unit and planning the move. 
• Install the foundation. Once the area is ready, foundation components can be installed. These may differ depending on the modular building type, but most will require a stable, raised foundation. 
• Surrounding preparations. After prepping the foundation, utility set-up and connection, stormwater management, and walkways will also need to be planned.

In the third phase of relocating modular structures, it is now time to transport your building from one site location to the other! 

Transporting modular structures safely should be your utmost priority. Always take the necessary precautions before and during the moving process, and ensure your move is being facilitated by an experienced team. 

• Attach modules. To ensure the safe transport of modular buildings, securely attach the individual modules to trucks for relocation. Units with wheels (such as our mobile offices) are typically hitched to the back of trucks, while skidded and portable offices are transported on the flatbed of a truck.

Please note that transportation methods will vary depending on the type and size of the unit, the amount of units being relocated, and the location. This is due to varying safety standards from Province to Province, and location to location. For example, specific requirements apply when moving units in a downtown area as opposed to a remote site.  

The fourth and final phase of relocating modular structures is re-assembling the structure at the new location. As mentioned above, the new site should be prepped and ready before delivery.

• Re-install exterior components. Next, exterior skirting can be re-installed. For complexed units, waterproof seaming materials can be re-installed on applicable roofs, walls, and exterior skirting. 
• Re-attach accessories. Complete the re-installation process by re-attaching any decks, ramps, stairs, railings, and gutters.

Once installation is complete, you can use the modular building immediately.