Building offices in your warehouse is often a good idea if you want your team to work closely together, or else avoid expensive off-site office space. But unfortunately, figuring out how much these offices are supposed to cost can be a difficult matter.
In most cases, estimates range anywhere from $50 to $300 per square foot, but this can hardly be used in itself to set an accurate budget.
To be frank, the best way to get answers is simply to speak directly to a manufacturer. But if you’re still mulling over whether it’s a good idea, or want to get a general idea of costs, we’ve created a list below of the most basic factors that influence price when building a modular warehouse office.
Cost Variables When Adding a Modular Office in a Warehouse
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to estimate the exact cost of a modular warehouse office without understanding full design. The total cost will depend on a mix of choices you make when planning. Below are a few of the main variables that will move the price up or down.
Size
Size is perhaps the biggest factor when building modular offices. A small warehouse office that is only a couple hundred square feet will be less expensive than a multi-office structure, all else being equal. However, it’s worth noting that the more square feet your building, the more discount you can receive per square foot (though this will be up to the manufacturer).
Layout and Customization
As you might expect, a simple office with one door and four walls will always cost less than one with a complicated layout. As you add meeting areas, break areas, or section off space in general, the price will go up.
Many warehouse modular offices start with a single-room layout, which is the quickest and cheapest to install. There are also supervisor offices that can be placed on a mezzanine, or manager suites with glass walls to observe activities.
You can also customize windows, panels, finishes, doors, and more, which will of course raise the final price.
Materials & Finishes
Furthermore, modular office panels come in many different materials, finishes, and colors, and whatever you choose will have a big impact on the final cost.
Some of the more affordable materials are vinyl-clad gypsum that can give your space a basic look and can work well for standard offices.
Other materials, including fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP), glass, aluminum, and steel, tend to cost more. You can also choose fire-rated or soundproof panels, which as you may guess, increases the cost even further.
Custom coloring can also affect pricing, but not too significantly.
HVAC Systems
Additionally, every warehouse office will need some kind of air conditioning, especially since warehouses themselves can get to extreme temperatures. Each HVAC unit will cost you, so the bigger and more extensive your layout, the more you will likely need to keep the space comfortable.
Location, Transportation, and Installation
People seldom consider that the location of your warehouse may also affect the final price. But as you may imagine, the more remote your location, the higher your transportation costs will be. Prices will also depend on where the manufacturer is based, so this is another consideration to be aware of. Typically, though, freight will cost around 10% of materials.
Similarly, the installations themselves (as well as labor) are billed as a percentage of the cost of materials. This will also depend on your manufacturer, but generally ranges between 30 to 50%.
Maintenance and Long-Term Costs
In general, modular offices don’t have a lot of upkeep, but there may be a few different costs to note. You will need to service the HVAC system from time to time, just like with any other space. And if a panel gets damaged, it’s easy to replace without pulling down the walls.
Broadly speaking, warehouse modular offices hold up well over time, often lasting 30 years or more. But since you can move them, expand them, or change the layouts down the line as you see fit, this gives them a great return on investment.
Modular Office Costs: The Bottom Line
In summary, modular warehouse offices will usually cost between $50 and $300 per square foot. Of course, this will depend on many variables, such as size, layout, materials, HVAC needs, and more, but it’s a decent rule of thumb. To get a fully accurate number, reach out to us at Allied Modular today for a quote:
FAQs About Modular Offices in Warehouses
1. How tall can a modular warehouse office be?
That’s up to you. Most of our single-story buildings are 8 to 10 feet tall (these are the standard sizes), but we can also make them taller if need be and if your warehouse has the ceiling space.
2. How long does it take to install modular offices?
It’s hard to estimate exactly how long it will take to install, but it’s usually a matter of days, especially if it’s a simple single-story building. The more complex your layout, the longer it will take. However, you can rest assured that it will be a quicker and smoother process than traditional construction.
3. Can you soundproof a modular office inside a noisy warehouse?
Absolutely. We understand that warehouses can be noisy spaces, so it’s sometimes important to soundproof the buildings so that administrative employees can continue to be productive. We have special panels, sealed doors, and other customizations that can help you reduce noise as much as possible.
