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December 1st 2005

Offering the flexibility of construction and dismantling in a matter of days, relocatable buildings are not just a temporary solution. Brendan Coyne reports

Fluctuating markets, not to mention weather, demand rapid response if business isn't to suffer - which is where relocatables become an attractive option. Available quickly and relatively cheaply (at least in comparison to a permanent structure), the flexibility relocatables afford can make the difference between success and failure in increasingly competitive markets.

Speed & savings

If a standard, in-stock building is all that's required it can be a matter of days from initial call to fully operational building, according to two of the market leaders, Copri and TempAstor. While a bespoke project will take a little longer, it's still a case of weeks rather than months - a favourable comparison with the potentially protracted process of building a permanent structure.

Moreover, if capital isn't forthcoming, the option of renting a relocatable building can instigate high fives in even the accounts department - and that's before they hear about the buy back option offered by the major suppliers.

Just temporary?

While possible to erect and dismantle over a few days, relocatables aren't just a short term solution. Copri Systems' longest standard rental period is five years, although MD, Robin Colenso says one current rental has been in use at a customer's site for nine years. And while the buildings are guaranteed for 10 years (after which the cover is likely to need replacing) Colenso says Copri has customers that have used their relocatable for almost 20 years. "But by then they have become rather more permanent," he says. "There seems no point in removing them after that amount of time."

Colenso says this compares favourably to permanent structures - especially as many businesses are unable to plan more than a few years head. "Because things change so quickly, even permanent structures may be pulled down after just 15 years, so in a sense, there may be little point in having anything too permanent. But it does depend on the operation - and some clearly demand a traditional building."

Key considerations

Although technically temporary structures, planning authorities may not take kindly to buildings erected without the official seal of approval. TempAstor general manager, Neil Weston, says the company always advises clients to contact the local authorities: "There are instances where they are quite amenable to building without the formalities - but we always insist customers get the necessary information from their local planning office," says Weston. "Because, whether it's going to be there for a week or a year, the inconvenience of having to take it down will cause you major problems."

Weston says the fundamental point to remember is that relocatables are temporary structures - despite high end models with Aluminium frames and PVC sides looking pretty permanent. "So we have to ensure customers are aware that, while the unit is waterproof from above and from the side, it is not built on a foundation," he says.

"Drainage is a key consideration and the base that you're putting it on is as critical as the building itself. If you put these buildings on substandard bases you will pay the price later on. But it's pretty straightforward - if you were going camping you wouldn't pitch up over a bog because you'd get a wet bum every night..."

Trends

While the level of building sophistication is growing, Copri's Colenso says demand for large relocatables is the most noticeable market trend. "We have just completed an 83m by 18m building for Travis Perkins and are about to start another commission for a 90m building. We have done projects on that scale before but they are now becoming much more frequent to the extent that they are almost run of the mill. A few years ago smaller buildings were standard, but 20-40m buildings are now the norm."

TempAstor's Weston agrees, but emphasises the possibilities thrown up by insulated PVC wall panels in terms of a working or trading environment. "It's a corny saying but in terms of relocatable use, customers are only limited by their imagination."

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