How Much Does a Portable Classroom Cost? A Pricing Guide for 2018 – 2019
You’re ready to install portable classrooms at your school, but how much does a portable classroom cost? Don’t miss this essential pricing guide for 2018-2019.
For one reason or another, you’re faced with the need for a portable classroom. Hopefully, it’s because you have an overload of students and need space quickly. If you’ve been affected by a natural disaster or fire, your need is immediate and concerning.
It’s essential that you have the space you need to house the students come your way. Portable classrooms are an excellent way to satisfy that need. We’re here to inform you as to what they are, what you can do with them, and how much they’ll set you back.
What Is a Portable Classroom?
A portable classroom is a movable building that’s installed at a location such as a school or relocation site. It’s a means of creating classroom space for a period of time when that space has been destroyed or becomes insufficient.
The building’s design makes it easy to take them down and move them when needed. They’re similar in nature to mobile homes, having the ability to incorporate energy and heating.
There are even times when institutions need portable classrooms for the long-term. In these situations, classrooms are constructed in conjunction with each other and serve as portable schools. There are hallways added to keep students from the cold when moving from class to class.
These structures must be properly constructed and maintained, though, because they’re not built to last safely by themselves. They require regular maintenance to be comfortable and functional.
Common Sizes and How Many People They Hold
There are a variety of sizes that portable classroom trailers come in. Clients can customize the buildings to suit their needs. That said, luxury and customization are not always necessary — sometimes you only need a functional space to hold classes in.
There are two common options for portable classrooms: single buildings and buildings with four spaces. Single buildings are typically 24′ by 38′, while the four-space rooms are roughly 56′ by 64′. Depending on your need, you can find options everywhere in between and even larger sizes.
On that note, there’s not really an exact answer as to how many students can fit into these rooms. It depends on classroom arrangement, equipment, and the preferences of the school.
A good way to estimate how much your space could hold would be to measure your current classroom and how many students it holds. The portable classroom will likely have fewer materials taking up space, so it should hold a few more students than a traditional classroom.
Portable Classrooms vs Permanent Classrooms
You do have the option of buying a portable classroom and using it for the long-term. Portable classrooms, when installed and maintained properly, do have the potential to be used for a long time.
They’re comfortable, functional, and cost-effective. If you plan to install a modular classroom for permanent use, you should take a couple of things into consideration. First, there are modular buildings meant to be permanent structures.
It would be wise to consider one of these, as you can customize it to suit your specific needs. These aren’t simply constructed buildings, either. They can be but they don’t need to be that way.
You have a lot of design potential when it comes to permanent classrooms. An added benefit is that they’re extremely time-effective and can be installed quickly. When you’re in need of quick space at a reasonable cost, a permanent classroom is the way to go.
Features Available for Portable Classroom Trailers
The features you need in your classroom are likely to be available. Barring a strange request, there’s not too much that can’t be factored in. Climate control, windows, special requirements and more are to be expected.
In other words, a portable classroom isn’t a step down from a normal one. In fact, many teachers prefer their portable classrooms because they provide an environment that’s separate from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the school.
This means that teachers have control over the temperature of the room, can immediately access the outdoors, and maintain a level of autonomy over the way that the day goes.
What Is the Cost of a Portable Classroom?
Prices, of course, will vary depending on the size of your class. You also have to make the decision of whether you want to buy or rent the space. That will have a massive effect on the cost.
If you’re renting, the smaller spaces will cost somewhere around $100 a month. As the spaces get larger, the cost rises to somewhere up to $600 a month. If a space is unique for some reason, that cost could move up from there.
Smaller spaces typically start around $10,000 to buy. The larger spaces usually land somewhere between $10,000-$50,000. When custom, the cost can rise up to nearly $200 per square foot.
Give It a Shot
If you’re in need of space, there’s no reason for you not to try renting a portable classroom. That way, you can test out the space and see if it works for you and your students. There’s a lot of flexibility with the people who rent and install these rooms, so you can expect to be taken care of.
No matter the size of your student body, there’s a way for you to get the space you need. If you have any questions or concerns about how to get started with the process, we’re here to answer questions you may have.
We also have construction trailers and office trailers for those of you who need space to work in. There are always going to be situations when extra space is needed for an amount of time — a temporary space is a perfect solution.