Anytime we make a new purchase, what’s the first thing we evaluate?
Chances are good that it’s the cost of the item or service
We always want to make sure that we’re getting the maximum value for our investment—and leasing or buying a mobile office trailer is no different.
Mobile office trailer rental and purchase costs depend on a variety of factors. Here’s what you need to know.
Trailer Size
Mobile office trailer companies typically offer a wide range of trailer sizes, and your selection will depend on your industry and individual needs. As a rule of thumb, larger office trailers will typically cost more.
At Triumph Modular, there are 8’ wide, 10’ wide, and 12’ wide mobile office trailers. 8’ wide trailers are typically the lowest cost to rent, the 10’ wide trailers have a medium-range price, and the 12’ wide trailers are the highest price to rent. For example, an 8’ x 20’ office trailer will cost in the range of $300-$400 a month to rent, while a 12’ x 64’ trailer will cost in the $800-$900 a month range.
Intended Use
The intended use of the office trailer may also influence the monthly pricing.
A construction office for a job site will be less expensive than a sales office needed for a car dealership. Trailers used as a business office may require a bathroom, while a construction job site may have porta-potties available for the crew. Office trailers are coded for specific use cases. Expect to pay more for some business-coded office trailers or classroom trailers coded for educational use.
Rental Duration
While this only applies to leasing a mobile office trailer, it’s worth mentioning that the duration of your lease affects what you pay monthly.
Like any other industry, supply and demand will be a factor when determining price. If there is less demand for a particular size trailer, you may see a price fluctuate downward to ensure that customers will quickly rent the office trailer. On the flip side, if a specific trailer size is scarce or in demand, you may see prices fluctuate upward. Rental companies consider the utilization of their fleet in the calculation of the monthly rates.
Supply Chain issues and the rising materials and labor costs will also factor into your lease rate. Rental companies are paying significantly more money to have these trailers built at the factory versus a few years ago. Remanufacturing costs have also risen. When an office trailer comes off rent, Triumph Modular puts some work into -returning it to a high standard before customers can rent it out again. Typical tasks include repairing walls and floors, interior and exterior painting, and general maintenance on the trailer. In some cases, we take the office trailer right down to the studs to ensure the highest quality product for our customers. Naturally, the increase in these costs will be passed on to the customer as reflected in the monthly lease rate.
A longer lease term can help avoid some of this price turbulence. Locking in for a six-month or a 12-month lease term will be more cost-effective than going month-to-month with your rental.
Rental Location
Mobile office trailers are hitched onto a truck and delivered to your chosen location. This process also has a cost that you’ll need to consider.
Naturally, your costs will increase the farther your location is away from the mobile office trailer company.
Transportation costs will also differ depending on whether you are renting an 8’ wide, 10’ wide, or 12’ wide mobile office. Delivery within 25 miles of your destination could be under $300 for an 8’ wide trailer but would be over $600 for a 12’ wide. Finding a company with a branch or drop yard near your delivery destination will help keep costs lower versus using a company further away.
Something else to consider is whether the rental company delivers in-state or out-of-state. Each state has highway permit fees to be paid. Escorts and flaggers may also be required depending on the size of the trailer being delivered and/or the destination. For example, a 12-wide office trailer will need an escort on the highway.
For example, if you are transporting to a city like Boston, MA, expect to pay more for these related transportation costs. Anyone that has driven in Boston knows that navigating the tight, heavily congested streets with a large vehicle requires some 3rd party assistance. Boston also requires a City of Boston permit, a route survey, and a police escort for 10’ and 12’ wide office trailers. These required services can add an $1,000 to both the delivery and the return freight once the lease has ended.
Finally, if your delivery needs to be made to an island, there will also be fees for a ferry and additional time required by the delivery drivers.
Installation
Once the office trailer is delivered, it will need to be set up and installed. Expect to pay one-time fees for blocking and leveling the mobile office. You can expect to pay 300-$600 for non-union installation, depending on the size of the single-wide trailer. You will also be charged knockdown fees for when the trailer will come back at the end of the lease term. Expect to pay $200-$400 depending on the size of your single-wide trailer.
It may also be a good idea to tie down and anchor your office trailer – especially if you are in an area where high winds occur. Talk to a sales representative about how many tie-downs are recommended for your office trailer size and environment.
Add-Ons
Depending on the company you choose, you might have some extras to choose from for your new office trailers, such as steps, ramps, or premium furniture.
Mobile office trailers will not provide ground-level access for entry. Consider the options you will need to enter the trailer—does your office trailer have one or two doors? Will you need an ADA Ramp, or will steps be the best option? Many North and East Coast customers opt for the Business Entry Solution, a combination step and canopy system, to help shield their employees and visitors from the snow and rain while entering the office trailer. A roof over the steps can be beneficial in keeping your visitors safe. If the office trailer is located on a construction site, a boot brush and a rubber mat are must-haves to keep the inside of the trailers clean. Workers can clean off their boots before entry.
Security screens and door bars are other options to consider adding to your rental order. The Security Solution will provide peace of mind that the valuable contents in your office trailer will be protected.
Most importantly, the add-ons that will save you the most time getting your office ready to be used is to add furniture rental items to the order. Triumph Modular has The Solutions, which includes a variety of necessities for creating a working office. We can provide desks, chairs, a conference room table, and even all items needed to create a coffee bar or a breakroom for your team. You can even add an Air Purification Solution to ensure that your team has fresh air circulating through the office.
Understanding Cost Factors is Important When Buying or Leasing a Mobile Office Trailer
Before you make your decision, we want to ensure that you’re well-informed about the different factors to consider.
Everything from the size of your trailer to the installation process needs to be considered when looking at mobile office trailers. Choosing the correct office trailer also depends on how much space your site has, how many people will occupy the office trailer, and how long the mobile office trailer is needed. By understanding these factors, you’ll be able to make a sound decision about whether or not a mobile office trailer is right for you, what size to choose, and whether buying or renting is the correct option.
Are You Ready for a Mobile Office Trailer?
Triumph Modular’s mobile office team is happy to help you determine your mobile office trailer pricing. Please fill out the form, and we’ll get back to you with a quote.
