No matter what the building project, there will always be endless options for you to consider. Should I hire a contractor or assemble the building myself? What type of finishing should I use? Which direction do I want my building to face? When it comes to modular construction, there is one more question that must be thrown into the pile: Should I build a portable modular building, or a permanent modular building?

Both portable and permanent modular structures offer their own attributes and advantages. There is no one clear-cut answer for any building project, and it's up to the purchaser to decide what he or she wants. To help aid your decision, listed below are the benefits of portable modular construction and permanent modular construction, as well as what sorts of building projects they are best suited for.

Portable Modular Buildings

Get that image of a dilapidated classroom on wheels out of your mind! Portable modular construction has come a long way in the past 20 years, and recent design technology allows portable modular buildings to be indistinguishable from any other design type. For the most part (but not always), portable modular buildings are relatively small (say 700 square feet or less), and are built onto less-than-permanent foundations. True, some portable modular structures may still have wheels and axles, but this is mostly a dying notion.

Five reasons to consider a portable modular structure:

1. Portability - It seems obvious to say this, but portable modular buildings are portable. If you're looking for a building to serve only temporary needs (such as an on-site construction office), or if its services are going to be required elsewhere later on (such as a portable modular classroom), this type of building structure can prove to be detrimental to the project.

2. Occupy Space Quicker - Modular construction cuts waiting times well over 50 per cent. Portable modular buildings are finished even quicker, as the building is delivered on a truck and placed on to the site with great ease. And because site delivery is so quick, you can occupy your building within the fastest time frame possible of almost any building method available.

3. Limited Site Disturbance - Because portable modular buildings are usually relatively small in size, and because modular construction takes place off-site, there is limited site disturbance when it comes to delivery day. This is as good for your building project as it is for the environment, and know that modular construction is a green choice.

4. Less Expenses - Portable modular buildings are less expensive than other building types. There are fewer expenses when compared to a complete building project, meaning significant capital outlays for your building project. And who can't use a little extra cash in their pockets these days?

5. Improved Design - No longer do visual aesthetics suffer as a result of choosing a portable modular unit. No longer do they sit on permanent wheels and axles. No longer do they require steps and ramps to reach the doors. No longer do they need skirting to hide the undersides. Your portable modular building can be set flush to the ground, and take on the design characteristics of a more permanent structure. Only to the very trained eye would your structure be viewed as portable.

As mentioned, portable modular technology has come a long way in the past few decades. Portable modular buildings can take on the look of more permanent structures, and can serve nearly any function that a permanent building can. One last thing to consider is that portable units may take on different design codes than a permanent building, or they may not, depending on your area. In some places, planning permission isn't needed for any structure that is to occupy an area for 28 days or less. As with any building project, you should talk to a local code authority before beginning construction to clarify any discrepancies.

Permanent Modular Buildings

For the most part, modular buildings are permanent structures. Permanent modular buildings can serve all sorts of functions, from modular courthouses and modular military barracks, to functions portable modular buildings can serve as well, such as modular classrooms and modular construction offices.

Five reasons you should consider a permanant modular building:

1. Portability - No, not a typo. Even permanent modular buildings are portable structures. Their design is constructed so as to withstand multiple relocations. It's as simple as breaking apart the modular units, and shipping them in individual pieces. Permanent modular buildings are built to be assembled and reassembled again and again, so even if you do go permanent, know that your building has the option to relocate.

2. Strength - Of course, the more times you relocate your building, the more stress and damage your building may attain. A benefit of having a permanent modular building is that it won't suffer the potential damage of multiple relocations. Permanent modular buildings are portable, but of course the more permanent they are, the longer the building will last, and modular buildings are built to last

3. Ease of Assembly - As mentioned above, portable modular buildings are usually used for smaller applications, leaving permanent modular buildings to tackle the larger projects. No matter how large the project, permanent modular buildings are designed to snap together with very basic equipment and technology.

4. Ease of Expansion - With permanent modular buildings, it's easy to expand on an existing structure. It's as simple as extending the foundation and setting the extra modular units where you want them. As well, permanent modular units are able to withstand multiple design changes. Need a window or door frame where a solid wall stands? Not a problem. With modular construction, the changes can keep on coming.

5. Stay Green - Because modular construction takes place off-site, in a controlled factory environment, there is less site disturbance and erosion, as well as limited dust and pollutants in the air. These days, everyone's looking to be a little more green, and when it comes to construction, modular buildings are one of the greenest options available

 As mentioned at the beginning of this article, there is no one application that requires permanent over portable, or vice versa. In the end, it's what the builder decides is best for their project, and which will serve them best. We hope that this article has helped in assisting your decision of whether to chose a portable modular building or a permanent modular building.

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