This blog contains content specific to our BOXX Modular branches in British Columbia, and was formerly featured on our Britco website. As of 6/19/2024, the Britco brand has been fully integrated under the BOXX Modular name.

In today's fast-paced business world, adaptability is an essential quality. Traditional office spaces can struggle to keep up.
Enter portable mobile offices. These flexible workspaces offer a unique blend of mobility, scalability, and affordability, making them ideal for businesses of all sizes and across various industries.
But why should you switch from traditional spaces to portable mobile offices?
Whether you're seeking a temporary office space, more storage, or space that can be all things, portable mobile offices offer a versatile and future-proof solution. They come in various layouts and sizes and can be customized to suit your needs.
Previously we discussed the specific perks of a mobile office. In this blog, we'll delve into renting versus buying portable mobile offices and how they could be the solution to some of your challenges.
The Features of a Mobile Office
Mobile offices are an excellent solution for a temporary swing space. They’re equipped with a frame and wheels that allow them to be safely parked in one area or moved to your project’s next location.
They’re made with high-quality materials, like steel, wood, and vinyl, and are built to last. These buildings are also fully equipped with electric wiring and plumbing and are HVAC-controlled with programmable thermostats for comfort.
Our portable mobile offices come in several floorplan configurations. However, if you find that none of these work for your business, we can work with you to create a custom floorplan to match your specifications.
Which is Better: Renting or Buying a Portable Mobile Office?
Once you’ve decided a portable mobile office is the best option for you, your next choice is to either rent one or buy one. There are several factors to consider when making your decision.
What To Consider If You’re Renting
For the most part, in business, it’s good to be financially cautious, especially if you’re just starting out. With renting, there isn’t such a large financial risk upfront. You’re still committed for the term of your lease but you don’t need to figure out financing or spend a large amount upfront like you would if you were buying.
Business fluctuates and it can be hard to predict growth rate or profits so renting is a good option if you aren’t sure of your long-term plans. You could experience rapid or slow growth—it’s hard to know. Renting temporary mobile offices gives you the option to scale buildings alongside your business appropriately.
Along with growth, renting also gives you financial flexibility. If you have a tight budget and only need a building for a few months, then renting would make more sense. Or if you have a short timeline and need a building immediately, you could get an agreement signed that day and schedule installation instead of waiting for a new building to be built and delivered.
However, one of the disadvantages of renting is that you cannot fully customize your structure. There are some changes you can make but since it isn’t your building you’re limited in renovating the space to fit your needs.
Another drawback is that renting mobile offices doesn’t create any equity or give you any resale opportunities. You’ll be paying for a building but won’t get anything out of it when you leave. This can be a disadvantage for businesses looking to invest in assets that can increase in value.
What To Consider If You’re Buying
While there are more upfront costs when you buy a modular building, in the end, this is an asset that you own. You won’t be paying rent to someone else or need to buy another building unless you need more space. There aren’t any risks of suddenly losing your facility and needing to relocate.
Buying a temporary modular office can help create a financial safety net for you. You have an asset that you can sell in case finances get tight or if you need collateral for a loan.
When you own your modular building, you can also customize it to your specific needs. If you want to add more office space you can. Or if you want specific cabinets, that change can be made.
But like we mentioned earlier, when you buy a building you’re spending more money upfront. If you finance it, you’ll be paying off your loan with interest. Or if you have the money to pay for everything upfront, that could leave you short of cash in an emergency.
And once you own the building, you’re responsible for any repairs. If you keep up with routine maintenance and use quality materials, the cost can even out over time. But if you ignore small problems and fixes, it can lead to more expensive repairs in the future.
Which One Should You Choose?
In the end, the decision to rent or buy depends on your business and what your goals are. Both have their pros and cons and can be beneficial for you. It’s a serious investment that you need to take the time to research all your options.
What Challenge Are You Trying To Solve?
Owning a business isn’t easy. You can quickly get overwhelmed and discouraged by all the problems that arise. However, using a portable mobile office can help alleviate some of that stress.
Need More Office Space?
That’s what a temporary mobile office is designed for. You need a private space that can be customized to whatever industry you work in and can be secured to protect any sensitive information or supplies.
Need More Storage?
It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in, storage is always in short supply. Storage container rentals provide the perfect space to securely store whatever you need and can also double as a modular office. For example, emergency services always have extra first aid supplies on hand and need somewhere to keep them safe.
Not Sure What Your Space Should Be?
You know you need space but you’re not sure what that space should be. It could be more offices but you also know that you’ll need a conference room for an important project. One of the biggest benefits of temporary mobile offices is that they are perfect swing spaces. You can use them for whatever your business needs and change their use as many times as you want.
Want a Green Workspace?
BOXX Modular believes in using eco-friendly materials and practices, so we, and by extension you, can minimize environmental impact. Our construction processes reduce supply waste, which can also deliver significant cost benefits compared to traditional construction.

Ready to Work with BOXX?
We’ve made modular buildings our driving force. We're passionate about creating flexible, efficient, and cost-effective modular buildings that combine the best of traditional and modern construction. You deserve the best so we made it our mission to use high-quality materials and create customizable solutions that work for your business.
Whether you have questions about how modular can work in your industry or even if modular is right for you, our team is here to answer them with confidence and expertise. With BOXX Modular, your portable mobile office can adapt to your changing needs, letting you focus on what matters most—growing your business.
Need more information on how a portable mobile office can work for you?
Contact our modular building experts with your questions and let us help you with the next step.
Ready to solve your space needs?
Modular buildings are the way to go. Request a quote or contact us today to get the conversation started. We’d love to talk to you about how modular can meet — and exceed — your needs.