Modular Building Specialists
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Why Choose a Secondhand Modular Building?

If you’re considering installing a modular building, either on a temporary or permanent basis, then why not see whether a secondhand modular building can provide what you need? As the UK’s leading supplier of new and used modular buildings, we can think of many reasons why opting for a secondhand building may be better for you and your business.

Here are some of the benefits of taking the secondhand option.

Cost Effective

Given the laws of supply and demand, you may think that the secondhand modular buildings market may be no cheaper than the new buildings market. However, this is not generally the case, and significant savings are often available in choosing a refurbished rather than a new building.

A Focus on Sustainability

The green buzzword shouts ever more loudly in the ears of businesses nowadays. If you work in a larger company, it’s becoming increasingly standard to see the words ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ in an ever broader company policy. As the procurement manager, if you can save money and improve your division’s green credentials within the company, it has to be a win-win situation.

Fully Kitted Out

A new modular building involves a substantial initial cost and, once you add in the interior furnishings, security provisions and facilities, the price really begins to stack up. However, if you choose a refurbished, fully furnished secondhand modular building – where any damaged items have been replaced prior to sale – you can make huge savings on all those little extras.

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New Modular Buildings – What Are They and How Do They Work?

You are likely to have come across the term “new modular buildings” quite regularly lately. However, as with many buzzwords, people often don’t know what they actually mean and become worried about asking about it, since they don’t want to come across as ignorant. Luckily, there are now numerous companies who specialise in new modular buildings and who focus specifically on keeping standards high and delivering their buildings on time every time. However, even if you find a company to construct your modular building, understanding what they actually are can still be beneficial.

What Are Modular Buildings?

Modular buildings are buildings that are constructed using individual modules. Each of these modules has been fully completed when it leaves the factory, which means the plumbing and electrics and even the carpet is already installed. You can then place the individual modules in any way you see fit, as you can also add elevators or stairs, for instance.
When a module has been completed to your specifications, it is dropped off at the location where you want it. The modules are then connected together, either by placing them side by side or by stacking them. Because each piece is completely unique, it will fit in any type of space size you have available.

By KC Cabin Solutions Benefits • • • 0 Comments

The Benefits of Temporary Buildings

For any business, staying strong during turbulent economic years can be a trial. So if you see an opportunity to maximise your growth, you have to take it, right?

Problem is, for many businesses, this brings with it the need to grow physically in order to accommodate more equipment, more people and/or more products. So for businesses dependent on physical space to grow, is it worth taking the risk of buying or renting new premises, or building an extension on your current premises?

Because if that growth has a limited time frame and gradually fades away, you are left with unwanted space and a binding financial commitment.

It’s for this reason that many businesses are turning to temporary buildings as a solution to their spacing problems. So what are their main benefits?

The first benefit is speed. Since they don’t require foundations, temporary buildings can be installed quickly and efficiency – sometimes in as little as 4 days.

The materials required for temporary buildings are readily available, saving you time on procurement and logistics. Because they’re readily available, they’re quick to transport to site so you can save a significant amount on shipping costs, compared to materials used in more traditional constructions.

What’s more, if you no longer require the structure, they are equally quick and easy to dismantle and take away, with many suppliers offering buy-back options as an added bonus.

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What Is A Modular Office?

If you’ve ever been in a situation before where you have found yourself struggling to achieve the space that you need, you probably already know that constructing an office from scratch is a daunting and worrisome building task that can bring horrifying visions of high costs, irresponsible contractors and unforeseeable weather related delays. However, there is an alternative available, and this involves using modular offices. Modular offices, also referred to by some as a prefabricated construction are a quicker and more cost effective way to get an office where you need it as soon as you need it there, lessening your frustration and wasted time.

 

In simple terms, a modular office is a construction that has been built in a factory using the same kinds of materials that are typically utilised for traditional construction. Instead of being built in one entire piece, the modular office is broken up into individual modules that can be quickly and effectively transported and erected at any site. In most cases, anywhere up to ninety percent of the office will be built within a factor, and this includes the walls, carpeting, ceilings and electric. Once the construction of these parts is completed, the modules are then assembled on site to provide a professional looking, functional office that is capable of being expanded should you find you need just a bit of extra room.

By KC Cabin Solutions Trends • • • • 0 Comments

The Future Will Be Modular…

Modular buildings gained popularity just after World War 2, where there was a giant requirement and demand for speedy and flexible building methods. In this day and age, time is the most valuable things in our life. We almost demand things to be rapid and we expect the best possible solution in no time at all. This really is the big and main competitive advantage of modular construction in comparison to tradition building methods.

 
The huge difference between the two is that modular buildings construction only needs half of the time (in most cases 50% – 70% less time) than any traditional building method, in order to be constructed, transported and installed.
 
Modular buildings are mainly constructed offsite, in a dry and secure facility, under strictly controlled conditions, shielded from the weather, using the same materials (wood, concrete, and steel), design codes and architectural specifications as traditional construction methods.
 
Furthermore, the site preparation takes place whilst the modules are being manufactured and this can save a lot of time and money; especially with our unpredictable weather conditions where the traditional building process can experience great delays. When you consider that 60% to 90% of the modular construction is completed inside a factory, you have to conclude this results in a faster return on investment.
 
At the end of the day if the building looks like a building constructed conventionally, is designed to harmonize and blend with its surroundings, using the same building materials, but is done in less time, this has to be a successful project. Modular buildings are far from a temporary solution and for sure the future will be….KC Cabins Solutions!

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Answering Those Modular Myths

“The buildings are low quality, temporary structures”

While this is the most important argument to address, up to a point it is also the simplest to answer. Some of the more drastic rumours would have you believe modular buildings are little more than hastily put together sheds that are barely safe for human occupation. Common sense would tell us that all buildings, modular or otherwise, share the same set of regulations and must therefore meet the same standards of quality.

“Modular construction is an unproven concept”

Often in the media, modularisation is framed as a new innovation in construction that could change all future building projects. This is also not accurate. The first recorded use of modular buildings was in the 19th century. If there was going to be a ‘modular revolution’, then, I think it’s fair to say it would have occurred by now.

“Modular buildings are all the same”

There’s no escaping the fact that modular buildings lend themselves to standardisation, and it is obviously more straightforward to manufacture identical units than a variety of different ones. However, customers are increasingly looking for buildings that cater to their specific needs and are quite understandably less interested in a ‘one size fits all’ approach.

This is why, at KC Cabins at least, most of our projects are bespoke designs catering to specific client requirements. Modular buildings can even be combined with grander architectural statements to make your building even more distinctive. That said, the building systems we have created are all based on tried and tested ideas, so in that sense I suppose all our buildings are all the same; affordable, flexible and high quality.

By KC Cabin Solutions Benefits • • • • • 0 Comments

Four Benefits of Portable Buildings for Business

Minimal Distractions For Business

Organising the development of your business location can be highly frustrating. Out of hours construction isn’t cheap, though neither is the loss of productivity that without question be encountered when construction takes place during office hours. Modular buildings are the number 1 solution to this problem, as the buildings are pre-fabricated, with up to 90% of the construction carried out off-site in a factory environment. And as little as 10% of the construction taking place on-site, therefore noise and disruption are considerably reduced.

Time Saving

Contradictory to traditional construction, modular techniques enable different parts to be carried out at the same time e.g. the ceilings can be constructed simultaneously to the walls. This would not be possible using the old method of construction. The construction of individual components can also take place at the same time as the initial site work. These advantages clearly reduce construction times, making sure that your building is completed in as little time as physically possible. As the majority of the construction work is under taken in a factory, lots of potential delays can be tackled before they even happen e.g. the project’s timeline is highly unlikely to be disrupted by any inconvenient weather.

Environmentally Friendly

Modular buildings are a fantastic option if you are worried about your businesses environmental contribution. According to a recent study carried out independently, it’s now possible to reduce wasted materials by up to 90% by selecting modular buildings over old fashioned construction style. As well as the reduced wastage, the materials used in the modular development can regularly be recycled. If you no longer have need for the modular building, the components can be recycled within your company, or could be reused at an alternative site. Construction plans utilising modular techniques are likely to have a lower carbon footprint than traditional alternatives. Fewer vehicles are required to transport materials to and from the construction site, resulting in lower emissions. The majority of the building is delivered at the end of the project, when it is ready to be installed.

Installation of Flexible Solutions

The needs of your business are constantly evolving, which can make it difficult to commit to a particular building solution. Traditional construction methods are rigid, affording little flexibility. Should your requirements change in the future, additional building work can be costly and time consuming. With modular construction, your building can evolve along with your needs. The modules can often be deconstructed and reassembled in different configurations, reducing the time and cost associated with making changes to your building.

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How Are Modular Buildings Constructed & Transported?

Modular buildings are simply any building, residential or commercial, that is constructed in a manufacturing location rather than a construction site.

The benefits of erecting a building in a factory are that the construction timeline is not impacted by the weather conditions. For example, the construction site may not be ready for the construction to begin due to freezing conditions as well as wet or flooded conditions, or it could be that the site has not been cleared and graded allowing for an appropriate level construction site.

The factory environment is indoors, climate controlled, and constructed by certified professionals in the modular building world. As with conventional construction, factory personnel are supervised by a project manager and the building is built to the necessary building codes. The building is inspected at the multiple stages of construction by a 3rd party engineering firm responsible to the council for which the building is being erected, and upon completion, is given an official seal of approval from the engineering firm. Whilst this process is taking place, the construction site is being prepared. Or in the instance of inconsistent weather, while it is either snowing or raining, the building is being constructed indoors away from all these possible distractions.

The term modular is in reference to sections of the building that are built elsewhere and delivered with flooring, wall covering, electrical, and mechanical components complete to its eventual destination i.e. the site of construction. The modules are transported ‘over the road’ by a transportation company, and the type and size of the modular building will determine how it will be placed and delivered.

For example, a modular building that is 24’ x 60’ will consist of two 12’ x 60’ modules and will require two transportation vehicles. Therefore, a 36’ x 60’ modular building will be made of up three 12’ x 60’ modules and require three transportation vehicles for delivery. It’s as simple as that!

By KC Cabin Solutions General Construction • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

How Modular Construction Makes the Most of Constrained Spaces

The number and quality of campus facilities has become a competitive gain in the quest to improve the campus experience by increasing student enrolment, enticing the best and brightest faculty for teaching and research, and address overcrowded student housing. In recent years, more universities have made strategic decisions to allot additional resources to capital construction projects to build academic buildings, dorms and other student accommodations, labs, recreational facilities, child care centres and other campus structures.

But the question still remains on many campuses are one of space and where to put all these new students and buildings?

To address the need for new buildings, much of campus site planning comes down to the ability to build in constrained spaces, either adding on to an existing building or building an entirely new structure in an area already crowded with buildings and people.

Modular campus construction may offer the most economical and safe solution for building in tight, often urban spaces with an important added benefit: most institutions have aggressive timelines. According to the Modular Building Institute, modular are up to 50 per cent faster than conventional construction.

Here’s how a building constructed off site can make your campus space planning headaches go away.

 

1.       Easier access to tight spaces

2.       Less site congestion and disruption

3.       Safer construction in tight environments

 

In today’s economy of tight budgets and escalating construction costs, all types of educational institutions can use modular construction to plan around campus building site constraints, including:

  • Public schools
  • Charter schools
  • Primary education schools
  • Secondary education schools
  • Private schools
  • Trade schools
  • Technical schools
  • Day cares
  • Montessori schools

 

By KC Cabin Solutions FAQ • General Construction • • • • • 0 Comments

When to Use Modular Buildings: Three Things You Need to Know

  1. Flexibility

In an economic climate of constant change, organisations must make sure that all aspects of their business operations are flexible, this way they can adapt at a moment’s notice to take advantage of potential opportunities and stay competitive. Re-locatable real estate assets make your organisation even more agile. KC Cabins Solutions gives your organisation the capability to disassemble, relocate or refurbish the modules to meet personal requirements. You can contract and expand space quickly by adding or taking out modules. Modular construction also reduces disruption to your operations, surrounding buildings as well as the environment.

  1. Maximise Your Allocated Budget

KC Cabins Solutions offer incredible productivity and cost gains on your project. For example, modular construction bids typically include all of the mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and structural sealed plans as part of the package, which provides excellent savings to clients on their architectural costs. In addition, KC Cabins have established relationships with vendors and suppliers as well as the ability to purchase materials in larger quantities and at a competitive price. Off-site construction reduces labour and supervision costs as our skilled workers build modular buildings at a fixed price. You also avoid conflicts with scheduling trades and other delay issues.

  1.  Use Modular When you Value Better Construction Quality

Modules constructed off site must meet the same building codes and regulatory requirements, such as IRC or IBC, as other types of construction. However, KC Cabins techniques make the modules much stronger than conventional construction. Each module undertakes a strict engineering process to make sure that the section can withstand transportation to the site and when guided onto the foundations. Storage of the materials in a climate-controlled environment also keeps them safe from deterioration or damage from moisture, extreme temperatures and other elements. Skilled workers build the modules on tables, guaranteeing consistent precision in the work place. Builders assemble the modules on site with strict adherence to local, state and national building code requirements.

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The Value of Modular Buildings & How They Can Save You Money

There are multiple reasons as to why and how modular buildings can save you money more than conventionally built structures. The purpose of this article is to examine the pivotal reasons behind the cost savings connected to making the decision to buy a modular building. Also, how KC Cabins Solutions engineering strategies saves client’s money and increases the value of the completed building.

Defined perfectly by the office of management and budget, engineering or ‘analysis’ is “an organised effort directed at analysing the functions of systems, equipment, facilities, services, and supplies for the purpose of achieving essential functions at the lowest life-cycle cost consistent with the required performance, reliability, quality, and safety.”

VE concepts have been implemented to construction projects in numerous ways. The purpose of VA is to improve the cost an owner receives from a constructed project. This value can be demonstrated as the relationship between the functional benefits of a project and the cost required to carry them out. Improved value results from optimising this relationship can be demonstrated by the following…

Cost ÷ Functional Benefits = Value

KC Cabins regularly introduces value engineering strategies to seek the optimum result for the client’s requests. Applying VE concepts to Palomar projects for several years gives us the experience to expedite the process on successive projects.