Huh?: Decoding the Lingo of the Mobile Office and Modular Building Industry

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Introduction

“Do you want a skirt for your mobile office?” “The mobile office trailer complies with the ADAAG, right?” “Would you like to order an HVAC in your mobile office?”

Buying or leasing a mobile office can be a daunting prospect if you do not know the vocabulary of the industry.  However, if you can “talk the talk” of the mobile office and modular building industry, you will be able to communicate more effectively with dealers and suppliers about your mobile office and modular building needs, truly getting what you want. 

ADA

stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act, which ensures fair and equal treatment of Americans with disabilities through the regulation of building accessibility.  If your mobile office is going to be open to the public, you may need to be in compliance.

ADAAG

is an acronym for the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines.  These guidelines, while interpreted differently depending upon your local jurisdiction, are important if you are going to have a mobile office that is open to the public.

BROADBAND INTERNET

is one of your options for Internet access in your mobile office or modular building.  Either going through the telephone line with DSL service or through your cable with cable internet service, broadband Internet is a high-speed internet connection perfect for transmitting large files or documents online.  Please refer to my articles on Internet connections for your mobile office and modular building if you would like to know more about your Internet options.

CHEMICAL TOILET

While you can request a bathroom that uses conventional, running-water plumbing, some mobile offices are equipped instead with chemical toilets.  These facilities use chemicals to disinfect waste instead of pumping it out into the sewage system or a septic tank.  Often used on construction sites, these toilets are less sophisticated, but also less of a hassle, especially if you need your mobile office for a very short period of time.

DIAL UP INTERNET

is an Internet access option for your mobile office or modular building.  A dial-up connection requires no extra equipment, as it goes through your phone line, and is ideal for occasional, limited web usage.  However, if you need to transfer large or complex files, and you need the Internet to be quick for browsing, you may want to consider other Internet connection options.

GROUND ANCHORS

are devices (usually made of weather-resistant metal) that are installed at a site to secure the mobile office.  The number of ground anchors needed to successfully secure a mobile office depends upon the type of material your mobile office rests on, weather conditions in the area and the size of your unit.

HVAC

stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning, or “climate control”.  Depending on the size of your mobile office and your climate control needs, different HVAC systems are available.  Some common types of climate control include baseboard heating, in-window units, and central HVAC systems.

INSULATION

comes in various forms and strengths, depending upon the climate, location, use and material the mobile office is constructed from.  Insulation is rated with an “R-value” that indicates its thermal, or heat, Resistance.  The greater the R-value is, the more effective it is at slowing the heat flow and maintaining the desired temperature in your mobile office.  Details regarding your insulation requirement vary greatly on your location and the desired use for your mobile office—talk to your vendor about your needs.

JUNCTION BOX

sometimes known as a “j-box,” is where the wires powering your mobile office are connected.  They are often located in a highly accessible part of your mobile office and should be operated only by your contractor or installer.  The fuse box of your mobile office is different than your junction box.

LEASE

is the actual contract that is signed by both the lessor and the lessee when a mobile office or modular building is leased.

LEASE-TO-OWN

Leases offer the option to buy the leased unit at a discount after the lease is up—and although this may sound like the perfect option, the unit may end up being more expensive than if you would have either rented it for the same amount of time, or purchased it at the beginning.  However, each vendor’s offer will be different, so be sure to consult with your financial advisor and your vendor before making any decisions.

LESSEE

refers to the individual or the company that wishes to lease a modular building or a mobile office from the lessor.  The lessee is contracted to pay the lessor (usually monthly) for the use of the mobile office or the modular building.

LESSOR

refers to the vendor that owns the mobile office or modular building that the lessee wishes to use.  In the lease agreement, the lessor is paid (usually monthly) by the lessee according to the amount written into the lease.

MOBILE OFFICE

or office trailers, as they are sometimes known, are typically pre-fabricated buildings leased out to companies looking for a short-term workspace.  Mobile office dealers can provide your business with an office trailer equipped with doors, windows, electrical wiring, climate controls, and basic furnishing.  These mobile offices are not one-size-fits-all, either, as they come in a variety of models and sizes to suit your needs, and can be delivered almost anywhere quickly.

MODULAR BUILDINGS

are sectional, prefabricated buildings that are typically manufactured in a plant to a customer’s specifications.  They are generally sold to customers looking for a more timely and cost-effective means of obtaining long-term (3 years or longer) space.  Unlike the modular buildings of the past, today’s modular buildings come with a bevy of options and luxuries to suit a wide variety of needs.

OFFICE TRAILERS

are typically pre-fabricated buildings leased out to companies looking for a short-term workspace.  Mobile office dealers can provide your business with an office trailer equipped with doors, windows, electrical wiring, climate controls, and basic furnishing.  These mobile offices are not one-size-fits-all, either, as they come in a variety of models and sizes to suit your needs, and can be delivered almost anywhere quickly.

PARTITIONS

These dividers for storage containers can be used to separate the storage containers into compartments for different uses.  For example, you could use one section for storage, and another for office space, etc.

RENTAL

Renting is one way you can pay for your mobile office.  It is almost always tax-deductible and there are often no fees (or very small fees) for early or late turnover of a mobile office unit.  There is usually no option to buy the mobile office unit after the rental agreement is up.
Learn more about mobile office rental on our product page.

RAMP

These angled walkways can make transporting materials to and from the storage containers much easier, as they allow you to wheel handcarts and dollies into the units.

REFRIGERATION

Storage containers can be converted into large refrigerators for the storage of perishable items.

SECURITY BARS

are often available options on mobile office units, as mobile offices may be targeted for vandalism and break-ins.  Security bars are bars that extend over windows, lessening the likelihood of broken glass or forced entry through windows.  If you think your mobile office would benefit from additional security, discuss the option of security bars with your mobile office vendor.

SECURITY SCREENS

Are often available options on mobile office units, as mobile office units may be targeted for vandalism and break-ins. Security screens are heavy-duty screens aimed at preventing forced entry.  If you feel as though your mobile office would benefit from additional security, talk to your mobile office vendor about security screens.

SINGLE-PHASE ELECTRIC POWER

refers to a method of distributing electric power commonly used in mobile offices.  Single-phase electric power is often used when the electricity loads are mostly climate-control and lighting, with the use of few large electric motors.

SITE

refers to the place that you will be installing your mobile home or modular building.  Depending upon the type of structure you want, and its level of permanence, various measures need to be taken to secure your site for the mobile office or modular building.  Your vendor should cover these details with you.

SKIRT

is a strip of (most often) metal that covers the space between the ground and the bottom of your trailer—covering the wheels and anchors.  While it is an optional, cosmetic detail, it can make your mobile office seem much more professional.  Remember, since the door of your mobile office will not be flush with the ground, you may also want to rent or make steps for each entrance or exit.

STORAGE CONTAINER

A storage container is usually a shipping container made of corrugated steel that is used for storing belonging.  They can be the most basic structures, without insulation, side-doors, or foundations, to fully connected short-term offices, complete with Internet, climate control, and lighting. It is up to you to decide what additional features you want for your storage container based on your needs.

TENANT

is the term that refers to the occupants of a rented mobile office or modular building.

TRAILER TONGUE

is the device that extends out of the mobile office trailer for towing purposes.  Vendors will often include the length of this tongue, which is up to four feet, in their length measurements, so make sure to ask if their dimensions include the trailer tongue.

WIRELESS PC CARD

Is an Internet connection option that uses a card plugged in to your computer’s PCI slot.  Using cell phone networks to provide high-speed Internet anywhere a cell phone signal can be received, this is a very convenient, albeit sometimes pricy, means of getting an Internet connection.  Click here to learn more about staying connected in your mobile office, and click here to get more information on Internet usage in modular buildings.

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