Modular construction gets pitched as a faster, cheaper alternative to conventional building, and sometimes it is. On this week’s Tuesday Tips, Michael Soh, Director of Construction and Development at Grow Schools, joins Marin Smith to break down the four types of modular construction, when each one makes sense, and where schools get it wrong. Watch the full conversation below.
Top 3 Tips
- Match the modular type to the need. Relocatable buildings suit a temporary need with a hard deadline. Permanent modular fits standard classrooms and offices. Panelized and pre-engineered buildings fit gyms and other large open spans. Forcing a lab, kitchen, or gym into a relocatable or standard permanent modular gets expensive fast.
- Lease under 5 years, buy beyond that. The lease-versus-buy math flips around the 3-to-5-year mark, and any lease should have the removal cost built in upfront, not billed as a surprise later.
- Permitting timelines don’t shrink just because the building did. Even a fast relocatable still has to go through your jurisdiction’s approval process, so budget for design and entitlement time like you would with a site-built project.
FAQ
What’s the difference between a relocatable and a permanent modular building?
A relocatable is a temporary, typically leased unit with exterior ramps and skirting, built to be removed. A permanent modular is factory-built, volumetric, set on a real foundation, and indistinguishable from a site-built building once placed, with a lifespan of 35 years or more compared to roughly 20 for a relocatable.
Should a school lease or buy a modular building?
Leasing applies only to relocatable buildings and generally makes sense for a need under three to five years. Beyond that window, purchasing tends to be the better value.
How much does a modular school building cost per square foot?
Relocatable buildings run roughly $75 to $130 per square foot for the structure alone, or $150 to $300 all-in with site work, transportation, and permits. Permanent modular buildings typically run $250 to $400 per square foot or more.
Does a modular building still need permits?
Yes. Modular construction shortens the build phase, but the permitting timeline is usually similar to a site-built project in the same jurisdiction.
