Category: Container Conversions

Robust and modular, steel shipping containers are strong and secure and ideal for a range of uses from transportation and storage to workshops and clinics. Because they are easy to move, container offices are also great for remote locations whether they are planned as permanent or temporary structures.

Benefits of Container Offices

The most obvious benefit of container offices is that they are generally cheaper to construct than either bricks-and-mortar or even steel or timber frame structures. Experience shows that it is possible to save as much as 60 percent by using shipping containers for offices and office complexes. That said, like every other type of structure, the final cost will depend largely on fixtures and fittings, as well as the cladding and insulation (if any) used. Obviously, doors, windows, plumbing, electric wiring, paint, and other features will all add to the cost. But a basic structure will always come in a lot less than any other type of office building.

Customized design is an advantage that goes hand-in-hand with finishes. You can decide exactly what meets your needs and customize the interior and exterior (with cladding if you wish) to create a unique office environment however luxurious or utilitarian you want it to be.

Container offices can also be put together much, much faster than traditional offices. While stacking containers to achieve two- or multi-storey buildings will take longer than just creating a single office unit with one container, so too will a multi-storey office built out of traditional materials. It’s all relative. Similarly, while finishes can add to cost, they can also add on time. For instance, if containers have to be cut and welded to form larger spaces, or multiple doors and windows need to be fitted, this will add construction time to the project. But, and this is a biggie, if the work is done prior to delivery on site then construction will still be considerably quicker, and disruption on site will be minimised. Having this kind of work done prior to delivery on site also minimises labour costs.

Another great benefit of container offices is their mobility. They can be transported to any remote site, and then moved again if the office is needed for another project. This makes them particularly popular in the building industry and in related fields.

Container offices are also eco-friendly since they are recycled and have a very limited footprint.

The Almar Advantage

Headquartered in Durban, Almar has offices and production facilities in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and in the Middle East. We specialise in plug-and-play solutions for remote locations including office accommodation and container buildings that are suitable for medical and other facilities.

If this persuades you to literally think out of the box, contact the friendly team at Almar to find out how we can help you with your container offices. We will help you save time and money, especially if you need an office for a remote location.

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If you are considering office container hire as an option for office accommodation, leasing a converted container could be the best choice for you.

Of course, you could have a look at available storage containers for rent and then do your own conversion. Or you could simply find an ordinary office to rent! But there is absolutely no doubt that if you like the idea of using a converted container this could be the best decision you have ever made, particularly if it is for a limited time only.

Shipping Container Rental of Converted Units

Like everything else in life, when it comes to shipping container rental options, you need to consider your needs. For example, container hire of standard-sized units is the route most businesses wanting to transport goods will use, although refrigerated containers will be needed for perishable cargo. Storage containers for rent are ideal for any area where space is tight. They can also be used to create instant warehousing. Refrigerated containers, in the form of 6 or 12 m-long domestic reefers, are available from some suppliers with additional features that cater for static storage. These include emergency exit doors, internal lighting, and man-trap alarms.

But if you need something that will enable you to either create or add to existing office accommodation, then a converted unit or more will best meet your needs. Unless you need permanent facilities, a major advantage is that you can return the converted container at any time, which can be a great help to overall cash flow. They are particularly well-suited for remote areas where they provide turnkey solutions to solve what might otherwise be huge challenges.

Advantages of Converted Containers

All shipping containers are strong and secure; they are also modular, which means they can be stored in any space. It is also possible to modify and convert them to a multitude of uses, including office space and for convenient accommodation.

Office container hire is also incredibly versatile as container rental may be for just one individual unit, or it might be for multiple units that provide offices for a large staff contingent, possibly with workshops and communal areas, and probably with bathroom, toilet, and kitchen facilities. These options are generally available from reputable, well-established companies that provide shipping containers for sale and to lease.

Office Container Hire From Almar

Almar Container Group offers a range of office container solutions as well as converted container rental of units that are fitted to meet ablution needs. Workshop and other specialised configurations, for instance for clinics, are also available.

The company specialises in remote site accommodation – for work and sleep – and gives customers the opportunity to on-hire and then off-hire in any of the countries of operation, even if these are different.

Conversions are carried out by an experienced in-house team comprising engineers and design professionals and can be tailored to meet any company’s needs.

Almar has a strong presence across southern and eastern Africa, particularly Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and South Africa. The company also has a strong footprint in the Middle East. Contact us for more information and pricing.

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The invention of the world’s first shipping container by an American businessman more than 60 years ago revolutionized trade and transportation. Today, they are not only used internationally for transport and logistics, but also for cold-storage, and offshore oil and gas, and you’ll see shipping containers on the move in most of the world’s busy harbours.

But steel shipping containers aren’t only used for shipping goods. Container conversions are showing up all over the world in a myriad of forms from houses, schools, and clinics to offices, workshops, and even compact retail space.

When it comes to converted containers, there are more options than most people imagine, and so it’s important to think out of the box. After all, shipping containers are just that – large, steel storage boxes. But as soon as you start visualizing these big boxes with doors and windows, roofs and gutters, that are fitted or furnished for purpose, you’ll see how they can be converted into an incredible assortment of container homes, container offices, and other container buildings.

Ten Advantages of Using Converted Shipping Containers

1. Variable sizes: Containers are manufactured in different sizes from quite small 3m-long units to large 12m-long units that offer loads of space.
2. Modular: You can use one container on its own or combine several for a more versatile solution. In really creative container conversations you might find multiple units used to create double-storey buildings.
3. Customisable: When you think of a shipping container as a versatile building shell, you will realize that it can be modified in just about anyway. Container homes and container offices incorporate plumbing, electrics, storage, appliances, fixtures, fittings, and whatever furniture is appropriate.
4. Cost: Like all forms of building, the design and size of converted shipping containers will have a direct impact on cost. However, generally, container conversions are considerably cheaper than building from scratch.
5. Durability: A tough steel box is one of the most durable shells for any building – and this is what converted shipping containers are. But that’s just the shell. Shipping containers are also incredibly versatile.
6. Versatility: Shipping containers can be converted into storage for just about anything. With practical consideration and creativity, they can be transformed into luxurious little homes – some of which aren’t that small. They can also be easily converted into low-cost houses, remote site accommodation, warehouses, and offices. With cladding inside and sometimes outside too, creative container conversions don’t even resemble containers!
7. Speed of conversion: While you will need approved plans if you’re going to live in a converted container or use it as an office, the construction/conversion phase is considerably shorter than most other forms of building. Basic conversion of a single container is normally done off-site and delivered to site ready for installation.
8. Minimal: substructure work Container conversions don’t require extensive earthworks and foundation work. You do need professional design input, but sitework is simplified.
9. Mobility: Because there are usually no foundations, container offices and container homes made from single containers can be moved relatively easily.
10. Ease of repurposing: Unlike a conventional house, remodelling is considerably easier with converted shipping containers. If multiple containers have been used they can be reconfigured, and their internal spaces can be changed by adding or removing dry-walling.

Almar offers a range of converted shipping containers that are suitable for use as offices, workshops, clinics, as well as for accommodation and ablutions. Contact us to see how we can help you.

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