Very few businesses have the time to wait for a traditional construction project to finish. Luckily, if your team is outgrowing your current workspace, you don’t have to commit to months of downtime to solve the problem. Temporary building hire is a fast, reliable way to get a premium space for your team without a large capital outlay.
However, a common question we hear from clients when they first pick up the phone is just how fast the turnaround actually is. Let’s take a look at the realistic timelines for modular building hire and what you can do to speed the process up.
Choosing from our Existing Stock
If you need space as soon as possible, your best option is to hire a standard unit from our existing fleet. These buildings are already in stock, fully constructed, refurbished, and sitting in our depot waiting for deployment.
If you are looking for a simple office space, a basic classroom, or a standard welfare unit, the turnaround time for these is as fast as it gets. Because the manufacturing process is already complete, the only things standing between you and your new building are transport logistics and site preparation. In many cases, if your site is completely clear and ready to accept a crane, we can organise the transport, deliver the unit, and have it safely installed within a matter of days, often within a one to two-week window from your initial enquiry.
Choosing from our stock is the fastest route to getting your team settled into their new working environment.
Customising or Building a Bespoke Space
Sometimes choosing an existing layout from our stock isn’t the right solution for how your team works. You might need to erect specific partition walls to create private rooms, install specialised flooring, or add an entirely new room to the setup. Customising the features of your modular building is definitely possible with hired buildings, but be aware that it will add a small amount of time to the delivery clock.
We can make alterations to our in-stock units, but if you have a highly specific requirement, such as an unusual footprint for a tight car park or a fully branded marketing suite, we can manufacture a completely bespoke building from scratch and then hire it to you. While this does require a slightly longer lead time to allow for the design and manufacturing phases (depending on the size of the facility), it gives you complete control over every detail without having to find the capital to buy the building outright.
Preparing your Ground for Delivery
Even if we have the perfect building cleaned, prepped, and ready to leave our depot tomorrow morning, we can’t physically deliver it until your site is safe and ready to receive it. Site preparation is sometimes the biggest deciding factor in how quickly your building is up and running.
Before the heavy goods vehicles and cranes get there, we need to conduct a thorough site survey to make sure the ground is solid, level, and capable of bearing the heavy weight of the building. We will also check that the approach roads are clear for articulated lorries and note any overhead obstacles like tree branches or power cables that could interfere with the crane.
If we discover that your site needs extensive ground levelling or you need to apply for local council road closures, you will usually need to factor an extra couple of weeks of preparation time into your project plan. The new timeline will always be communicated to you.
Planning Rules
If your building is going to be sitting on your site for more than 28 days, you will usually need to apply for formal planning permission.
While our team can help you navigate the paperwork and provide all the technical designs and elevations the council needs to see, submitting the application to your local council and waiting for the planning officers to make a decision can take anywhere from eight to twelve weeks.
If you are dealing with a genuine emergency, there are sometimes temporary exceptions, but for any planned expansions, you should build this waiting period into your overall schedule.
Timing Your Utility Connections
A building isn’t much use to your staff if they can’t turn the lights on, wash their hands, or connect to the internet. Getting your utilities hooked up is the final step of your building project, and the timing of this is an important detail to know.
To keep your project moving as fast as possible, we can arrange for your utility trenches to be dug and ready before the building arrives on site. If your site infrastructure is prepped and waiting, connecting the hired building once it is lowered into place is a lot easier.
If you leave this step until the last minute, you could be left waiting on electricians and groundworkers after the building has already been delivered, which delays the moment your team can move their desks in.
Deciding How Long You Need the Space
One of the main reasons clients choose to hire rather than buy is the flexibility it offers. When you’re hiring, you have the breathing room to scale your space up or down as your situation changes.
We can offer flexible contract lengths that suit your specific timeline. If your project overruns or your team keeps growing, extending your hire period is a straightforward conversation. Hiring also means that when you are finished, we can simply come and take your building away, and you won’t have to go through the process of selling it.
Partner with Excel Modular for Modular Building Hire
At Excel Modular, we know that when you ask for a fast turnaround, you need a partner who gives you clear communication and delivers on their promises. We manage a varied fleet of premium units for hire, and we always give our clients honest, realistic timelines from the very first conversation.
Whether you are searching for modular buildings in Hull to support a local project or you need to coordinate a complex delivery across the country, our expert team works fast and handles the logistics.
Get in touch with the team at Excel Modular today to discuss your site and explore your options for modular hire.
