Variety And Value – A Market Guide For Used Portable Buildings

The market for used portable buildings is booming, as more and more organisations become aware of the benefits of purchasing second hand.

In this guide, we examine the market for used portable buildings, looking at what’s available, who to buy from, and some of the benefits of purchasing used over new.

Choice and Variety

In the UK, the market for used portable buildings is growing all the time, which means that there has never been more choice available to buyers.

To put things into perspective, there are hundreds, if not thousands of used portable buildings on the market at any one time, in a full range of different configurations, ages, sizes, styles and prices.

This means that whatever industry you work in, you’ll be able to find a quality used portable building to suit your needs and budget, whether you’re looking for offices, classrooms, sales suites, toilets, changing rooms, or anything else.

Value

As we’ve mentioned on this blog before, one of the biggest benefits of buying used is their value for money.

Whilst used portable buildings vary in price depending on their age, specification, size and design, all in all, they typically cost less than half that of a comparable new building, making them a sound investment for the price conscious business.

If looked after properly, portable buildings have a realistic lifespan of 60 years or more. This means that you can purchase a well maintained used portable building that’s 10 or 20 years old in the confidence that it has plenty of life left, and will continue to serve your organisation for decades to come.

Quality & Condition

Although portable buildings have a long lifespan of 60 years or more if properly maintained, this can be significantly reduced if buildings are neglected, badly maintained or abused.

To ensure that you choose a high quality unit, and aren’t left with any additional repair or maintenance work, always make sure you properly inspect any used building, both inside and out before buying.

You’re looking for an signs of damp, mould or water ingress, as well as cracks, rust and delamination, which are sure signs that a portable building hasn’t been looked after properly.

Other problem areas include the roof, doors and windows, so look for visible damage, as well as for cracks in the guttering or downpipes, which might contribute to bigger (and more expensive!) problems later on.

As with any product, you get what you pay for, so if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Where to buy

Whilst buying locally is a good idea in terms of aftersales support, repairs and maintenance, it’s not the be all and end all. Portable buildings are easy to transport, so don’t be afraid to purchase from further afield if you can’t find what you’re looking for, or don’t have a reputable supplier close by.

When you’ve found a model you like the look of, go and see it in person, and inspect it thoroughly, and be sure to ask your supplier plenty of questions about what the building was used for, how old it is, and what repairs/testing they’ve done.

Avoid any suppliers who won’t let you inspect a building before purchase, and make sure you choose one who will provide you with a guarantee. It’s also important that you get evidence that the electrics have been properly tested, to avoid any costly problems down the line.

How Portable Building Sales can help

At Portable Building Sales, we stock a wide range of both new and used portable buildings designed to meet the needs of organisations in every sector.

With dozens of buildings in stock at all times, we’re constantly buying new units, so even if we don’t have something that suits your needs, there’s a good chance we can source something for you fairly quickly.

All our used portable buildings have been rigorously tested to exacting standards, and come supplied with a written warranty for added security and peace of mind.