School Refurbishment

Jane on July 6, 2020

Shipping containers for school and college refurbishment

This week, the UK Government announced a ten-year plan for the refurbishment of schools and colleges across the nation. With over £1 billion in funding, it is the first major rebuilding programme to be launched since 2014, and will begin as soon as 2020-21.

You may be familiar with the use of converted shipping containers for offices, but they can also be used to increase space in schools and colleges. Likewise, regular shipping containers can also be utilised by these institutions for storage. If you are an educational institution planning to refurbish, you may want to consider a shipping container or converted container for reasons outlined below.

Converted shipping containers for increased space in schools

Converted shipping containers are ideal for use in schools and colleges. A converted container is very different from a regular container – although they may look similar from a distance. While they are both made with weather-resistant corten steel, converted containers are insulated, and fitted with doors, windows, lighting and heating systems – everything you may need for a comfortable teaching environment.

These containers can be positioned as required, as long as there is access for a forklift. Each container is fitted with forklift pockets, corner posts and corner castings, making it very easy to install and relocate as needed, with the right equipment. 

If you are looking to use a converted shipping container as an IT room, a canteen or design technology room where high value equipment is present, you also have the benefit of the strong corten steel exterior, steel reinforced entrance door with strong locks, and windows with lockable steel shutters. This helps deter and prevent theft or vandalism, which is essential in a school environment to protect students and staff, as well as expensive equipment.

School design in a post-lockdown UK

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way that we consider design for establishments such as schools and colleges. To prepare for education post-lockdown, converted containers may be used either as temporary classrooms, or alternatively as permanent solutions to the issue of social distancing in classroom environments in case the pandemic continues or develops.

As more children return to school, it is possible that classes need to reduce in size in order to accommodate more space between students. Converted shipping containers fulfill this need by creating more classrooms at a much lower cost than would be required to extend school buildings.

Shipping container storage for schools and colleges

If you are a school or college undergoing refurbishment in future, you will likely need storage for equipment while the refurbishment is taking place, whether that’s sports apparatus, computers, furniture such as desks and chairs, or other equipment. Shipping containers are excellent for this purpose, as they are weather-resistant, watertight, fire resistant and can deter thieves with the use of a lockbox and padlock. 

As mentioned earlier, shipping containers are ideal for temporary storage as they can be easily installed, relocated and removed with a forklift. We can arrange delivery and collection should you wish to hire a container for storage through Billie Box.

Interested in hiring a container for storage or purchasing a converted shipping container? Do not hesitate to contact Jane today on 0800 121 7388 or 01473 557409.

5 ways an office container can save you money

Jane on June 18, 2019

Whether you’re a small business, a not-for-profit or a self-employed individual, your office space most likely accounts for a large chunk of your outgoings. As a small company ourselves, we at Billie Box can identify with the difficulty of striking the balance between keeping costs down and finding an office space which suits your needs.
Like many business owners, you might have spent hours on the internet, searching local listings for office rentals. However, there is one option you might not have considered: converted shipping containers.
Converted shipping containers make excellent office spaces which can save you money.
They are practical and budget friendly alternatives to standard offices with many other benefits, including mobility and security, ideal for a growing business. Here are five ways an office container can help you save money:

1. They’re mobile

As the saying goes, you don’t know what the future holds. You could find that, in a year’s time, you identify a new market and need to move location. In rented office accommodation, this could mean giving several months’ notice, spending money on rent that you could have otherwise saved, and allocating valuable time to looking for an office in your new location, which could be more expensive than your current rental.
Converted shipping containers can be moved easily with the right equipment. If for any reason you decide to relocate, your office can come with you. No need to dismantle the container; it can be transported as it is. This is particularly suited to construction companies who require temporary onsite portable offices.

Rural crime

New (once used from China) 20ft x 8ft storage container

2. They deter thieves

Mobile or portable offices in converted shipping containers offer effective anti-theft features. A steel personnel door is provided with each unit, which features a 10-lever locking system to deter thieves or vandals. Additionally, each of the two 3ft x 3ft windows feature exterior lockable steel shutters.
When closed and secured, the door and window defences make it very difficult for thieves to break into the unit. This provides peace of mind that your office equipment or stock will be safe while you are away from your office.

Office container

3. They can double up as storage space

Storage facilities can be expensive, which is why converted shipping containers are popular with business owners. If you require a dedicated storage space as well as an office, we offer a ‘50/50’ option which provides you with a working environment and store, separated by a built-in partition.
The storage space is accessible by the original container doors, which feature a lock box for security. This is an ideal space for storing stock which might have otherwise cluttered your office, leaving you with a tidy work space which not only benefits your physical and mental well-being, but also allows you to present your business in a professional way to visiting clients and colleagues.

4. They help you avoid rising rent prices

Many business owners struggle with finding a working environment which suits their budget, and the situation is only getting tougher. Rising rent is an issue which affects the entire country. It hinders growing companies, making it difficult for entrepreneurs to get to the next step in their business plans.
However, an office container can help you avoid losing a substantial portion of your income to rent. The only aspect you’ll need to consider is the land on which your container will sit.
This might be in your garden at home, on another site which you have purchased, or in a temporary space. As long as the land is accessible in order to place or remove the container, there is sufficient space for the doors to open, and the surface on which the container sits is level, you can place your container almost anywhere with permission.

5. They adapt to your needs

As your business evolves, you might find that your working environment needs to adapt to these changes. A converted shipping container offers versatility, as it can be re-purposed time after time in order to suit your needs, whereas a rented office or commercial space may not be able to accommodate major changes.
For example, if you are a shop owner, but you have made the decision to convert your business into one which offers cafe style food and drink to your customers, this can be accomplished in a converted shipping container with the installation of kitchen facilities.
Conversely, in rented spaces, your landlord may not have allowed a change of use such as this, forcing you to move your business elsewhere.

In conclusion

Can a converted shipping container office save you money? Absolutely. These units are well suited to a variety of businesses, with a myriad of other benefits. If you are interested in purchasing a container for your business, please get in touch with Jane or Matt today on 0800 121 7388.

Classroom shipping container conversions

Jane on March 26, 2018

All too often these days the news carries worrying details of schools being put under increasing pressure to perform, not only from a results perspective but also from a financial perspective.  Teachers are under pressure to provide dedicated teaching to all students, with appropriate attention given to students with additional needs.

Headteachers are under pressure to provision the correct resources for both teachers and pupils.  While the attention and opportunities available for children with additional needs is certainly great news, finding the resources can be extremely challenging.  Appropriating the teaching resource is only one issue; another issue is finding a physical space that suits the needs of all concerned.

Many schools are struggling to find classroom space to use for assisting students with additional needs.  Urban schools may not have the space to build additional classrooms, and rural schools may not have the budget for building new teaching spaces.  Of course, the same challenges apply to all schools.

One solution to the challenge of finding additional teaching space sees schools turning to converted shipping containers.  A shipping container that has been converted into a teaching space is warm, secure, and can be easily sited wherever most convenient.  If the initial placement proves to be impractical, it is relatively simple to move.

shipping container classroom inside
Inside a converted classroom

For many years, schools and education authorities have looked to a popular brand of temporary building (legally we can’t mention the name, but we’re sure you know the brand we mean).  Converted shipping containers have many advantages over traditional ‘mobile’ buildings.  They are surprisingly good value, incredibly secure, vandal-proof and stay draft-free and watertight for many years more than a temporary building made from wood.

Shipping containers, converted into classrooms for one-to-one support spaces, offer a very viable, and long-term cost effective alternative to traditional temporary mobile buildings.

Call us today on 0800 121 7388 or get in touch via our contact page.

We would love to explore ways we can help you meet the challenges of finding extra space in your school.

Contact us to find out more about classrooms and to get a fast quote

Cost effective, secure alternative to Prefab buildings

Jane on February 22, 2017

Finding office space and canteen space can be challenging for businesses who find their space is at a premium.  Some businesses (like motor dealerships) sometimes simply do not have any indoor space at all.  Providing your staff with a warm, comfortable and productive working environment is an important consideration for any business.  Ensuring your staff have somewhere comfortable to take work breaks and eat meals is important for morale.
In the past increasing the size of a work environment involved either building an extension, or investing in a modular building.  Building work may either be impractical, or impossible.  Modular buildings come with challenges that mean they are not always the best solution for every situation.

Converted shipping containers

Here at Billie Box we offer a cost-effective solution to your business space problems. We convert new shipping containers into offices, canteens and office space with secure storage. When we convert a container to include storage space the split is typically 50 / 50 between office space and storage space.  

Let’s take a look at some of the advantages of using converted shipping containers as your office or canteen.

Cost

Converted shipping container offices and canteens work out around £100 per square metre cheaper than prefab buildings.

Security

Our converted containers are built from high-tensile Corten steel. The doors are anti-jemmy proof and are kept securely locked with a ten lever locking system. Windows can be fitted with lockable steel shutters, secured from inside with a shoot bolt. These features are a small example of why our offices and canteens are considerably more secure than modular buildings.

Comfort

Our offices and canteens are insulated with rock-wool and finished internally with tidy melamine paneling. Your converted container will be fully fitted out electrically. Every unit is fitted with lighting, heating and double power sockets. Converted containers are also supplied with anti-slip flooring.

Shipping containers that have been converted into an office, canteen (or other business facility) are entirely self contained. They can be supplied with an open plan layout or with an internal wall to provide additional secure storage within the unit.

Our offices and canteens are a cost-effective, secure and simple alternative to traditional modular buildings.

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