If you’re looking to design and build a new office, it shouldn’t have to blow through your budget. Traditional construction is often expensive and full of not-so-happy surprises, whether that’s in the form of delays, labor shortages, or some other issue. With modular offices, you can build spaces that can be built on time and at reasonable costs. In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of modular office design, why building with modular is better than traditional construction, and more.
What Is Modular Office Design?
Modular office design uses prefabricated wall panels that can be assembled at your location. The pieces (or “modules”) are manufactured in a factory and then installed in a few days or weeks, rather than months and years (as may be the case with traditional construction). With modular design, you can create offices with many different features, finishes, colors, and more. In other words, modular offices are highly customizable. And what’s more, you can change the layout if your needs change later, or even move them to a new place altogether.
Why Choose Modular Over Traditional Construction?
Though traditional construction is considered the “standard option,” so to speak, this has been changing recently, as the benefits of modular design for offices are hard to ignore. Here are a few of the biggest reasons to go with modular when creating new office buildings.
Faster Installation
With modular office design, your new building can be installed in a few days or weeks (depending, ultimately, on how complex it is). As we mentioned already, traditional construction often takes months, or worse. Much of the frustration and time-uncertainty with traditional construction come from the fact that working with multiple contractors at once is difficult to coordinate in a timely manner. With modular, you can get your project done on time by working with one manufacturer.
Fewer Disruptions
Because modular walls are pre-made and the installation takes place quickly, there’s no drywall dust, paint fumes, or weeks of loud on-site labor. Whatever your business, operations can continue undisturbed, and panels can even be brought through normal doors. There’s no need to shut down your operations when building your office space.
Lower Cost
Modular offices tend to have fewer surprises than traditional ones. You’ll get a clear quote, and because most work happens off-site, labor issues and weather delays are far less likely to affect the costs.
Flexibility
Finally, perhaps the biggest benefit of modular office design is that you’re not stuck with the same layout. You can redesign your space as time goes on, and you’re not stuck with the same setup permanently. In fact, you can even move your building to a new location (with the help of a small team). If your company expands, downsizes, or just changes its mind, the walls can be moved, added to, or relocated completely. This gives it a great return on investment, especially since modular buildings can last up to 30 years or more.
Features of Modular Office Design
Modular design for offices allows for a lot of customizability, and features that can make them practical, professional, and whatever you need them to be. Here are a few of the most common design features:
Various Wall Panels & Materials
Modular wall panels come solid, windowed, or in full-glass. Materials include fiberglass-reinforced plastic, vinyl-covered gypsum, painted steel, aluminum, and a whole range of composite materials.
Our walls can be soundproofed, fire-rated, and more, depending on what you need. We also offer many architectural finishes and colors to choose for your walls, so the entire space is fully customizable. To see some of the ways that you can personalize your office space, check out our interior options.
Integrated Electrical and Data
Furthermore, wiring runs inside the walls through built-in raceways that can be placed wherever you need power or network connections. This means clean lines and no visible cords. It can also make future re-wiring much simpler.
HVAC Compatibility
Also, most modular offices can work with standard HVAC units, or can be designed to tie into an existing system. Venting and returns can be built into the wall panels or ceiling too if need be.
Custom Branding
Finally, modular walls can be customized to match branding, and can include your company logo. At Allied Modular, we offer the widest selection in custom colors in the industry.
The Bottom Line
Modular office design gives you a faster, cost-effective, and more flexible way to build. If you want a turnkey office space at your place of business, but without all the negatives that traditional construction entails, modular is by far the best choice.
Interested in creating modular offices at your location? Reach out to the experts at Allied Modular for a quote on new buildings today.
FAQs About Modular Offices
1. Can modular offices include second floors or mezzanines?
Yes, absolutely. When designing your modular office, you can make two-story buildings, all kinds of mezzanine-like structures, add load-bearing roofs, and more. This is especially useful in warehouses where floor space is tight.
2. What happens if a modular office panel gets damaged?
One of the best parts about modular design/construction is that individual panels can easily be replaced without having to demolish the whole structure. Replacement is simple and can be done in a matter of hours.
3. Do modular offices require building permits?
Yes, they often do need permits. In fact, modular offices often require the same types of permits as traditional construction. Of course, permit requirements will vary by city or county, so it’s important to check with local authorities.
