Containers and site accommodation units for the construction industry
Equipping a construction site: changing rooms, sanitary facilities, project manager's office, secure tool storage. The ideal mix, legal obligations, deadlines, and purchasing vs leasing strategies for the UK construction industry.
The 3 key challenges of a construction site
Safety and theft
Construction sites lose several thousand euros per year due to stolen tools. The Corten shipping container offers an anti-intrusion resistance 10 times higher than a standard bungalow.
CDM 2015 welfare compliance
Drying rooms, sanitary conveniences and rest facilities are mandatory from the first worker on site. Improvement Notices and unlimited fines (Crown Court) for non-compliance — Section 33 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Tight deadlines
Standard delivery within 48-72 hours, 24 hours for urgent orders. Our construction industry specialist suppliers cover all of France with handling capabilities for constrained urban sites.
Typical configurations by site size
| Site size | Duration | Recommended configuration | Monthly budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-3 employees | < 6 months | 1 mixed-use bungalow (office + changing room) + chemical toilet | £315 – £525/month |
| 4-10 employees | 6-18 months | 1 changing room + 1 toilet + 1 storage container | £630 – £1,155/month |
| 11-25 employees | 12-36 months | Complete site cabin (changing room + toilet + canteen) + 2 storage containers | £1,470 – £2,625/month |
| 25+ employees | 24+ months | Extended two-level site accommodation unit + manager's office + separate changing rooms + storage | £2,940 – £5,775/month |
Frequently Asked Questions — Construction Industry
Which containers are prioritised for a construction site?+
Three configurations cover 95% of needs. (1) Modular site bungalow + shipping container storage to secure sensitive tools from theft. (2) Complete site accommodation unit (changing rooms, sanitary facilities, canteen, office) for sites with more than 10 workers. (3) Used 20-foot shipping container as a low-budget versatile storage solution. The ideal mix depends on the duration of the construction project and workforce size.
Purchase or rental for a construction company fleet?+
For general contractors chaining multiple projects, purchasing a fleet of modular units becomes cost-effective beyond 30 months of cumulative use. Typically: purchase of 3-5 standard site bungalows outright, and rent additional modules during peak activity periods. Over ten years, this hybrid approach is 30-40% cheaper than full rental, with flexibility preserved.
Do the welfare obligations apply uniformly across the UK?+
Yes — CDM 2015 applies in England, Wales and Scotland uniformly. Northern Ireland uses the equivalent CDM (NI) Regulations 2016 with the same Schedule 2 welfare requirements. From day one: sanitary conveniences, washing, drinking water, changing facilities, rest area. HSE (or HSENI in Northern Ireland) and local authority EHOs enforce. Improvement Notices, Prohibition Notices, and prosecution under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 — unlimited fines and up to 2 years' imprisonment for serious breaches.
What is the lead time to equip a new construction site?+
Standard delivery within 48-72 hours throughout mainland France from regional depots. In emergencies (unexpected sites): possible next-day delivery with £105 – £315 surcharge. For large projects requiring multiple modules, anticipate one week for logistical coordination. Water and electricity connections must be planned in parallel (1-3 weeks).
How to secure tools and prevent theft?+
Four complementary layers of security. (1) Corten steel structure (shipping container) vs standard bungalow sheet metal — ten times more resistant. (2) Lock-box on locks (prevents lock cutting) — £84 – £210 surcharge. (3) Wired or autonomous alarm system — £158 – £420. (4) 24/7 remote surveillance for isolated sites — £84 – £158/month. The Corten container + lock-box + alarm combination covers 90% of cases.