Prefabricated buildings almost always save time and money compared with building from scratch because companies pre-build them and then assemble them on site. Commercial prefabs range from small office trailers and storage sheds to multistory office buildings and warehouses. With such a huge variety of options, choosing and making the most of prefabricated buildings is no small task.

While steel buildings are the most common, other materials such as wood or even concrete reinforced foam make these structures stand the test of time. Ecological friendliness and low maintenance designs make these buildings a smart choice for the future of your business. What must you consider when searching for the right prefab building to meet your needs?

1. Location, location, location. Consider not only the size but also the landscape of the building site before choosing a prefabricated structure. It is much easier to work with the land you have rather than making major modifications.

2. Size matters. Manufactures quote prices based on size so know what you want before you compare. If your needs change later, many prefab structures have options to make future expansion easy.

3. Customize. Decide what features you must have.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose between modular or steel prefabricated buildings

Modular commercial prefabs are best for office and retail space. The size of individual modules is limited, but modules fit together seamlessly in multiple layouts and can be stacked in multiple stories. If you need to enclose a large space, a pre-built steel building allows for higher ceilings and up to about 150 feet of width without interior columns.

I recommend: For modular needs, American Partitions offers many flexible options and Comark Building Systems has multi-level and custom layout designs. Steel no longer has to be cold and gray. United Steel buildings offer a variety of colors. General Steel has custom exteriors that simulate stone.

Think outside the box when choosing your new prefabricated building

Some of the best prefabricated structures available don't come in traditional rectangular shapes. A dome shaped building can be very economical to build and even more economical to heat and cool. You can assemble them on site quickly and they are very low maintenance.

I recommend: Quonset huts are prefabricated steel buildings originally made for the military. Olympia Steel Buildings has a wide variety of quonset huts and other steel prefab buildings. Geodesic domes are a very attractive option as temporary tents for events or as permanent structures. Geodesic Domes & Homes and American Ingenuity manufacture quality geodesic domes in many sizes. Both types of domes are very resistant to the threat of hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes.

Save money by renting a prefabricated building

If your needs for space are only temporary, there are options. Whether you need an office or storage space, you can have one or a hundred small prefab buildings delivered to your site quickly so you can start doing business or expanding at a new location.

I recommend: Check out mobile modular buildings available to rent or lease from Pac-Van and Williams Scotsman.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't forget to make it yours. Manufactured structures can sometimes have a cold and sterile feel to them. The personal touches are what make for a pleasant working environment. While bright colors may not be appropriate for interior or exterior walls, a vibrant rug or other accent can brighten moods and make customers and employees feel welcome.
• •  Make your dream of owning a brand new home a reality. Most of the resources used in this article also apply to residential prefabs. Today's prefabricated homes are truly luxury living.

Prefabricated buildings answer a nagging question for small business owners: How can I possibly afford bigger facilities for my business? Prefabricated buildings, or modular buildings, are ideal real estate solutions for small businesses because modular office buildings are affordable, adaptable and accessible. And while the most inexpensive models aren't always the prettiest, more and more modern-day modular offices are both attractive and functional.

If you can't afford to build an office building from scratch or to lease expensive commercial space that's as impractical as it is pricey, modular office buildings might be worth a look. Pre-built in sections, then assembled on site, they have many benefits. Among them:

1. Modular buildings can be customized to suit almost any need.
2. Because they minimize construction waste and often include recycled materials, prefabricated buildings are more environmentally sound.
3. Modular buildings tend to be more affordable; they cost less to build, less to mortgage and less to maintain or renovate.
4. Because they're mobile, modular office buildings are ideal for businesses that require flexibility and portability.
5. Modular offices can be built quickly for businesses that have immediate real estate needs.
6. Prefabricated buildings are diverse; there are prefabricated steel buildings, prefabricated wood buildings and more, suited for a variety of industries and purposes.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Shop for prefabricated buildings by size and type

Prefabricated buildings take on many forms. From small to large, they include portable classrooms, research labs, construction trailers, storage facilities and even large, multi-room modular offices.

I recommend: Builders such as Comark Building Systems, MBMI Metal Buildings and Pac-Van offer virtual showrooms in which you can browse prefabricated buildings in order to get an idea of the sizes and scopes of modular offices available to you.

Choose between prefabricated steel buildings and prefabricated wood buildings

Companies that manufacture prefabricated buildings offer a variety of materials with which to build both the interiors and exteriors of modular offices. There are companies that specialize in building prefabricated steel buildings, for instance, and companies that specialize in building prefabricated wood buildings.

I recommend: Companies offering prefabricated steel buildings include General Steel, American Steel Span and Allied Steel Buildings. Meanwhile, companies offering prefabricated wood buildings include American Standard Building Systems, Blazer Industries and Lester Buildings.

Consider only modular buildings within your budget

Modular buildings typically cost between $35 and $200 per square foot, depending on their size and scope. And while they still require a considerable investment, prefabricated buildings are certainly a cheaper alternative to new construction.

I recommend: At 360MobileOffice you can get free quotes from up to four different suppliers that manufacture modular buildings. Check for more suppliers of modular offices at Business.com.

Look for modular office buildings with attractive amenities

Typically, you can purchase either prefabricated steel buildings or prefabricated wood buildings. Both can be aesthetically customized, however, with brick or stucco exteriors, multiple doors and windows, unique roofs and interesting interiors.

I recommend: Look for manufacturers who can design and build custom modular buildings, such as MetalBuildingDepot.com, Premier Modular, M Space and Pacific Mobile.

Remember, home offices can be modular offices, too

Modular office buildings aren't for everyone. But even if you have a home-based business, you can take advantage of modular design, as there is a large market for affordable prefabricated homes.

I recommend: Penn Lyon, Sandcastle Group and Altamont Homes are among the country's many modular homebuilders. Visit Modular Today to look for modular homebuilders in your area.

Think past prefabricated buildings

Even companies that don't have modular office buildings can have modular offices when they look beyond prefabricated buildings toward purchasing modular interiors. You can find modular furniture, cubicles and workstations, and even interior offices with which to remodel your existing space.

I recommend: Companies providing modular interiors for both traditional and prefabricated buildings include Inscape, Haworth and National Partitions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you're in the market for prefabricated buildings, whether prefabricated steel buildings or prefabricated wood buildings, always ask to speak directly with a sales representative. Companies that manufacture modular buildings should be able to discuss your needs with you in order to develop customized solutions; plus, they'll be able to answer all your questions about the cost, size, location and features of modular offices.
• •  When you're researching modular buildings, be sure to ask about warranties and service plans, as prefabricated buildings ought to come with some form of guarantee.
• •  Consider that most modular buildings feature lower ceilings, typically 8 feet high, and elevated entrances, up to 30 inches off the ground.
• •  Before you complete a purchase, be sure to ask vendors for references; speaking with other business owners who have purchased prefabricated buildings from a given company is essential in evaluating the quality of the product.
• •  When you're working with prefabricated building vendors, ask to see samples and models of modular buildings that they've designed for other clients; look for companies that have designed prefabricated buildings of a similar size, shape, cost, etc., as the modular offices you're considering.
• •  Like homes, modular buildings can be financed in a number of ways. Consider a home loan or an SBA small business loan.

Today's commercial prefabricated structures are economical, efficient, and environmentally friendly. Compared with traditional construction, prefabricated buildings cost less because a factory does up to 90% of the building before it ever reaches your site. Time is money, so getting your building up and running quickly is of utmost importance.

Pricing and costs of prefabricated buildings vary considerably based on size, materials, and features. It's free and just makes sense to get several quotes. Of course, the building itself isn't your only expense. Delivery costs can range from a very small amount such as $1.50 per mile to several hundred dollars. Costs of planning, construction, assembly, and connection to utilities must also be part of your budget.

Know what you need before getting quotes. There are many options in shape, size, and configuration in prefabricated structures, but these three are the most common choices:

1. Prefabricated steel buildings - your best bet when you need to enclose a large space

2. Modular buildings - for flexibility and more traditional appearance

3. Mobile offices - when you need a simple small space

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy prefabricated steel buildings

As a general figure, a pre-built steel building will cost anywhere from $16-$40 a square foot, with most popular options being somewhere in the middle.

I recommend: For a durable steel prefabricated structure, have top companies, such as Olympia Steel Buildings and Empire Steel Buildings, contact you with a quote.

Buy a modular prefab building

A modular prefabricated building usually costs $35 to $100 per square foot, depending upon the level of customization. Modular buildings allow for the most customization and flexibility.

I recommend: You can choose either a manufacturer that sells directly, such as American Partitions, or locate a dealer using BuyerZone's Modular Building Price Quotes. Either way, look for someone who has a good track record, and don't be afraid to ask for references.

Rent or buy smaller prefab buildings

While not a permanent solution, you can rent a small mobile office for $100 to $500 a month. Renting can be more favorable tax-wise as it is an operating expense rather than capital, but if you need your building for more than three years, buying a new or used one might be your best bet.

I recommend: Pac-Van has many locations, which can make renting or looking at a used building easier. 360 Mobile Office offers customized quotes based on your needs, whether they are long term or short term.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Cut costs by pre-cooling your building. While it seems intuitive that shutting off the air conditioning in your prefab structures when everyone goes home at night saves energy, that isn't necessarily true. A study by Purdue University proved that commercial buildings have more potential in storing thermal energy and overnight cooling can result in less need for cooling during the day ultimately meaning lower electricity bills.

When you're considering a prefabricated building for your office, there are many things that you need to consider. If you choose to go with a wood building over steel, you should be sure to use kiln-dried lumber and make sure that it has a washcoat. You also need to decide whether your business is a permanent or portable structure. Finally, it's up to you to make sure that the builders comply with building codes set by the ICC.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Modular buildings

Modular buildings is another word for prefabricated buildings. The company builds them on its own lot and then transports the building in pieces to its permanent location.

I recommend: Vanguard describes modular buildings and some of the cases where you might want to use them.

Kiln-dried lumber

Some prefabricated buildings are made from wood, and in these cases, it's best to choose kiln-dried lumber to build the structure. This is so that the wood doesn't shrink after the building has been built, causing problems with the building.

I recommend: Learn about the wood-drying process from Bailey Wood Products.

Permanent or portable structure

Many people choose prefabricated buildings due to their comparatively low cost. This makes it ideal for non-permanent structures, such as offices at a construction site. These structures should be portable, allowing business owners to move them wherever they are needed. However, those looking for a permanent building can also save money by purchasing a prefabricated building.

I recommend: Comark Building Systems talks about large-scale permanent modular construction projects. Pac-Van gives examples of its portable offices.

Washcoat

A washcoat is a thin finish that is applied to wood, which helps to protect the top coat while it is being transported.

I recommend: FinishWiz talks about a washcoat and offers some tips for applying one.

Pre-fabricated construction or erection

Pre-fabricated construction, or erection, is the putting together of the pieces of a building to create the finished product. The pieces are delivered partially complete and are easy to put together.

I recommend: Look at the erection sequence demo at Heritage Building Systems. It will show you all of the steps of putting together a modular office.

International Code Council (ICC)

The International Code Council is responsible for keeping buildings safe from structural errors and fire. The ICC writes the building codes that regulate construction to ensure that buildings are built in a safe manner.

I recommend: Learn more about the ICC, its values and mission through its website.