For churches, schools and businesses that find themselves in need of extra space in a hurry, modular and portable buildings are a flexible and affordable option. With rising enrollments or membership, schools and churches may need to accommodate more people, and in comfort. Modular buildings are popular because of their quick delivery times and affordability. They also allow flexible options in terms of location and scalability for future expansion. And best of all, there’s no need to sacrifice design to convenience. Many portable buildings now come in traditional designs that can be customized to specific needs.

Modular buildings are affordable
Modular and portable buildings can save up to 50% on costs compared to units that are built on site. Because they are assembled in controlled factory environments, modular buildings and portable classrooms use fewer materials than onsite construction. They also generate 35% to 40% less waste. The cost of a new portable classroom can be as little as 36 to 77% of the cost of new onsite construction.

Portable buildings are completed on time
When portable cabins and buildings are assembled in factory settings, there are no weather-induced delays. Construction can be completed in 40% less time than with buildings that are constructed on site. In fact, many modular buildings can be completed in just one to two weeks in the factory.

Portable buildings can be custom designed
A large variety of designs and styles give portable buildings the look and feel of traditional buildings. Designs can be customized to meet any needs, and the buildings can be any size, large or small.

Portable buildings are more energy efficient
In addition to design and cost, another advantage that portable buildings have is their energy efficiency. The Washington State University’s Northwest Portable Classroom Project found that the energy efficiency of portables has been increasing over the years. By 2003, portables built to the 1993 code were 44% more energy efficient than those built 25 years earlier. And the newer portables built to 2000 codes do even better, being 20% more energy efficient than those built to the 1993 code.

Portable buildings offer flexibility
Schools, churches and businesses that are experiencing rapid growth often need more space, but traditional construction takes too long, and adds on heavy costs. For churches, buildings are the second largest expense, taking up 30 to 40% of the total budget. These costs can include ongoing and hidden costs like maintenance and repairs, cleaning, electricity, Internet, phone and security.
Portable buildings help to reduce the costs of expansion, with affordable construction and quick lead in times.

With all these advantages, the demand for modular construction and portable buildings is growing rapidly. For a large number of contractors, prefab and modular buildings are part of their strategic planning for future growth.