The ideal office for any small business needs to be spacious, effective and affordable. In the past couple of decades, the trend of converting containers into offices has caught on with more and more small businesses considering this option. It not only saves costs but also enhances the ease with which the entire office set-up can be completed. And, well, when it comes to container conversion in the UAE, few service providers have the same level of expertise as Supertech.
Before you choose this course of action for yourself, you will have to take into account multiple factors and understand the pros & cons of taking this route. In this article, we will attempt to simplify the overall scheme of things and inform you about all you need to know.
Advantages of Opting for Shipping Container Offices
You can enjoy some significant benefits if you opt for converted shipping containers as offices. Right from easy customisation to portability, shipping container offices offer a fair lot to their users. Let’s take a look at some top benefits.
Portability
Are you planning to relocate? Wouldn’t it be tough to lease or purchase new office space in the new city? Well, if you have shipping container offices, you can rest your worries because you can easily get your office shipped to your new city.
Customisation
The design of offices often requires modifications with the passage of time. In traditional offices, you will end up spending significant amount of money and time in order to achieve the change. However, with shipping container offices, you can get the job done quickly and at a low cost.
Security
Shipping containers are really strong and robust. If you want to keep your office documents and furniture safe and secure, then container offices are not going to let you down. You can install high-quality locks and security systems to further enhance security.
Permissions
Constructing a new building requires plan sanctions and approvals from the city council. You will also have to obtain other statutory approvals. However, shipping container offices require minimal documentation which implies a hassle free state of affairs for you. You can get your office ready and functioning in no time!
Downsides of Shipping Container Offices
Despite the recent increase in popularity of container conversion, it is still a new concept. It may not always be suited for all types of businesses. Let’s take a look at some demerits of opting for container offices.
Precision
For a container office to become properly habitable, you must focus quite a lot on insulation, lighting and land area. If any of these things are not appropriate, you can have a lot of difficulties in your operations.
Appearance
You will also have to ensure that the design and appearance of your office are top-notch. In case your business requires meetings with customers in the office, you will have to focus even more on the look and visual appeal.
Factors to Consider in Office Container Conversion
Once you are certain of opting for a shipping container office, you must do it the right way. You will need to become aware of the various factors that will determine the overall quality of your new office. Here are some of the things that you should consider when it comes to container conversion into an office.
Site Preparation
Before you set up your new shipping container office, choose the right site for it. The ground should be level and even. At the same time, it must also be easily accessible by vehicles and lorries for carrying the shipping container, equipment, and construction material.
Optimised Container
Choosing the most well-suited shipping container for your office is equally crucial. You can opt for a customised container specifically designed for you. Alternatively, you can also select a pre-designed one that fulfils your requirements. The customised one will cost you slightly more than a pre-designed shipping container.
Laws and Statutes
When it comes to laws governing shipping container offices, there is a variation from one region to another. So, you must consider the statutes in your part of the world. You should get all the necessary licenses and permissions for the proper operation of your office.
Plumbing and Electricity
Like any other office, even your shipping container office will require water and electricity. You should get in touch with good local plumbers and electricians who have prior experience in setting up these facilities for a container office. Their experience and expertise will ensure you get things up and running seamlessly.
AC and Ventilation
Air conditioning and ventilation in your shipping container office will also play a critical role. You may opt for standalone ACs and arrange for ventilation. Alternatively, you can get an HVAC installed in your new office. Both the decisions can be fruitful depending on your budget, the size of your office and your bespoke requirements. In any case, you must plan ahead for this aspect of setting up your new office.
Insulation & Lighting
These two factors might go unnoticed and will become highly problematic once you start working in the shipping container office. You must ensure optimum insulation for your container because of its metal body. Unless it is well insulated, its temperature will become dependent on the outside temperature. At the same time, you will also have to make sure that a sufficient amount of natural light enters your office.
Mobility
In case relocation is a part of your plans in the times to come, you must ensure that the container is designed aptly. In fact, it makes a lot of sense to get it designed in such a way that you can get it transported to a new location whenever you need it.
The Conclusion
By and large, the benefits of container offices outweigh their demerits. They are mobile, cost-effective, environment-friendly, easy to set up and easily operable. If you take into account all the factors mentioned in this article before setting up your container office, you will always enjoy its benefits. Opting for experienced service providers like Supertech will ensure that everything is done perfectly. You can run your business or home office with a lot of ease and convenience if you are prudent and smart in your approach when setting up your new office in a converted shipping container.
