Depending on a number of factors, the pricing for modular buildings can vary greatly from a high of two hundred dollars a square foot down to thirty-five dollars a square foot. The three main contributing factors affecting cost include the intricacy of the design, the quality of the materials used, and the size of the structure.

Style vs. price

The low to mid-range pricing for modular buildings usually consists of the office and classroom categories as these are normally very simple build-outs. An urgent care center, on average, will be more to the middle to middle-high price range. The most expensive modular buildings are those that include full HVAC features and those that use the most premium-grade building materials.

Where are you?

The price of a  modular building can vary based solely on where you are located in the country. Shipping costs can also make the total expenditure higher.

Lease or buy?

The decision on whether to lease or buy a modular building is largely determined by what the structure will be utilized for. For instance, modular classrooms are generally leased as their use is temporary. That said, some companies want an inexpensive and fast housing solution so, for what can be viewed as an inexpensive investment, they will make an outright purchase. Remember upgrades like plumbing and HVAC will escalate costs.

Bidding

Automatically selecting the lowest submitted bid for a modular building may not always be the best decision. Make sure that the bids reflect the same exact quality of structure before looking at price. A careful analysis of the bids will reveal if inferior construction materials are being substituted, resulting in a lower price submission. All qualities of doors, windows, electrical, plumbing, carpeting, fixtures and HVAC should be similar. Also compare installation costs.

Financing

The bottom line for modular building leasing or buying usually involves tax considerations. To find out which direction is most advantageous consulting with a tax professional is highly recommended.

Modular Building Buying Tips