The Trusted Cabins & Containers Experts with over 10 years in the container cabin industry. Est 2009

FAQ

General FAQs

Do You Offer Cabin Hire?

No, we offer no hire services whatsoever. This means we have no additional yard costs, have no fleet to maintain, and can focus on delivering a more professional sales and project management service to our customers.

What Are Your Payment Terms?

Unless otherwise agreed, payment must be made in full upon confirmation of order. If you’re purchasing a standard, in-stock item with no lead-time, then payment will always be required upfront and in full. If your order carries a significant lead-time or is for a large sum of money, then we may agree to deposit payment terms in certain circumstances. Additionally, we will always provide payment terms of 28 days from invoice to any government agencies, local authorities and most charities. Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss further.


Can I Set Up An Account?

We offer no account terms to anyone, as the nature of our products means it’s highly unlikely that any customer will be making multiple purchases monthly. As discussed above, we may be able to offer payment terms, depending on the size and nature of your order.


Do You Trade Outside Of The UK?

Generally speaking, we don’t ship our units abroad or trade outside of the UK, but there are exceptions to this for customers in Ireland, the Channel Islands etc. where customers are paying in GBP (£) and are able to organise export themselves.


Can I View The Products?

Our stock of used and refurbished cabins can be viewed in person at the yard in Gosfield, Essex, but we’re unable to offer viewings for any new units. All new bespoke and stock items are located at various ports, haulage yards and factories across the UK in order to keep transport costs down, and none of these sites are at all appropriate for use as sales showrooms. On very rare occasions, we’re able to organise factory visits for particularly large projects. Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss further.


Do I Need Planning Permission?

We build and supply portable buildings and are not part of the UK construction industry. Therefore, our expertise doesn’t include the specifics of planning, and we always recommend that all clients enquire with their local council before committing to an order. Read more about portable buildings and planning permission.


Do You Offer Transport Or Haulage Services?

Although we don’t operate our own fleet of vehicles, we will always allow for haulage as part of any portable building quote. This haulage service is completed by third-party companies selected by us from a network of hauliers across the UK.

What Are Our Responsibilities?

To be able to transport and safely offload portable buildings to our customers, we require safe and suitable access and hardstanding for delivery. Check obstructions like overhead power or telephone lines, ensure that the ground conditions are safe and adequate, and ensure that access routes to site are large enough to accommodate. If you’re unsure about anything, please get in touch for further details.

What Are Your Terms And Conditions?

Our full terms and conditions of supply can be read and downloaded here.

How Do I Pay?

Our preferred method of payment is bank transfer. We can also accept cheques if necessary. Unfortunately due to legislation changes we are no longer able to access card payments


Do Your Products Come With A Warranty?

All our new buildings come with a one-year product warranty and five-year structural warranty as standard, but there are some exceptions which aren’t covered so please get in touch if you have any specific questions. Generally speaking, we are a small business with a common sense approach, and will always aim to help any customers having issues with our products.


Do You Keep Anything In Stock?

The nature of our industry means that the majority of our sales are bespoke built to order. However, many products we offer are generally always in stock and ready to go, including all flat-pack units, shipping containers, mini toilets and standard security huts. We also maintain a wide selection of used and refurbished portable cabins, stores and modular buildings available for immediate delivery across the UK. 


Do You Handle Groundwork's And Site Installations ?

We only complete on site for the installation of modular buildings where installation will be explicitly listed on all paperwork. For sales of all other cabins, flat-pack buildings, containers and stores, our work is complete once the unit leaves the factory or depot.We only attend site in very specific circumstances, such as completing risk assessments or carrying out repairs under warranty   


Can You Offload And Position The Building For Us ?

Yes, Our hauliers use vehicle equipped with specialist lifting equipment designed for loading, unloading, lifting and positioning portable buildings. Generally speaking, all transport costs quoted are for a ‘Delivery and Offloading’ service which includes for offloading the unit into position on site.   


What Do You Have In Stock ?

We generally maintain stock of all 3 standard sizes of security huts, most types and sizes of Shipping Containers, all items from the Flat-Pack range of units along with a selection of used/refurbished cabins. If what you’re looking for is not listed, just get in touch. Alternatively, we store our used and refurbished units in Gosfield, Essex and can arrange a yard visit if you would like to view in person.   

I Have A Building To Sell Are You Interested ?

We are always interested in purchasing used buildings of any sort . Please get in touch and send through as much information as possible along with some images. 

Portable Building FAQs

What Is A Portable Site Office Or Cabin ?

A portable office or cabin is a complete building manufactured to be simple to relocate from one site to another . 

Can I Stack Or Join Portable Or Anti-Vandal Cabins Together ?

Jackleg Cabins of the same type or size can be stacked on their Jacklegs. Steel Cabins of the same size or type can be stacked on their corner posts, Apertures and links can easily be cut between Jackleg (timber framed) cabins. Steel Cabins have to be manufactured to be linked.


What's The Best Protection Against Condensation In A Portable Cabin ?

The best protections against condensation in your cabin is proper insulation and heating. This will prevent moisture build up in the cabin, and reduce the chances of condensation, damp and mould.

What Does The Term 'Welfare' Mean Regarding Cabins ?

All employers have to provide welfare facilities for their employees, regardless of where those employees are based. Portable cabins providing toilet and kitchen facilities, mess rooms and even drying rooms are often referred to as welfare units. Generally speaking though, a true welfare unit is a standalone cabin fitted with a generator and chemical toilet that can be positioned in the most remote locations as a ‘site-starter’, providing welfare facilities before mains water and electric connections are installed on site.   

What Sort Of Portable Cabin Do We Need ?

We stock a range of cabin types to suit every requirement. For a no-obligation consultation to determine the best portable cabin for your needs, get in touch today 

How Do Portable Toilets Work ?

Portable Toilets are connected to mains services and work like a normal toilet. Chemical toilets are also available.


Do You Have A Brochure For Steel Anti-Vandal Cabins?

Although we have a brochure including details on the general specifications of our steel anti-vandal units, every new build cabin we supply is bespoke to individual requirements, so we have no standard price list. Please get in touch with your specific requirements and we’ll come back to you with a price ASAP.

Do You Have A Brochure For Jackleg Cabins?

Although we have a brochure including details on the general specifications of our jackleg units, every new build jackleg we supply is bespoke to individual requirements, so we have no standard price list. Please get in touch with your specific requirements and we will come back to you with a price ASAP. 

Flat-Pack FAQs

Have You Got Any Flat-Pack Buildings In Stock?

There is an exclusive UK distributor of these products who maintains all stock. It makes no sense for us to stock these items ourselves, as the transport charges two ways would make us more expensive than every other reseller in the UK.

Containers & Stores FAQs

What Is The Difference Between A Steel Store And A Shipping Container?

Unlike shipping containers, steel anti-vandal stores are built in the UK from mild steel, bespoke to individual customer requirements. You can read more about steel anti-vandal stores here.

How Much Does A Shipping Container Cost?

Prices vary in accordance with availability, international exchange rates and market conditions. For more information about the price of shipping containers, please contact us  


How Long Do Shipping Container Last?

Shipping containers last 25 to 50 years depending on environment and maintenance. 


How Much Does A Shipping Container Weigh?

They can vary slightly but 20ft containers are approximately 2.3 – 2.5T, 40ft containers are approximately 3.5 – 3.8T. 

Are Shipping Containers Waterproof?

Yes, but they legally have to have small high level vents so they would eventually fill with water if submerged but other than that they are designed to be watertight.  

How Big Is A Shipping Container?

Standard ISO shipping containers are only manufactured as 20ft x 8ft or 40ft x 8ft. 10ft x 8ft and 8ft x 8ft variations are also available in very small numbers but since these cannot be used for international shipping the overall cost is generally higher than a standard 20ft container. 

How To Buy A Shipping Container?

If you’re looking to buy a shipping container, you can rely on Cabins & Containers to provide high quality containers and a complete and professional service. Get in touch with us now to buy your shipping container. 


How Much Does A Second Hand Shipping Container Cost?

Prices vary in accordance with availability, international exchange rates and market conditions. For more information about the price of our second hand shipping containers, please contact us 


What Is The Difference Between New, Used and Once-Used?

“One Trip” or “Once Used” or “New Build” containers are essentially new shipping containers which have done one cargo carrying trip from China to the UK. These are purchased by the shipping lines with the sole purpose of being sold once they reach the UK and are emptied. Used Shipping Containers are ex-shipping lines fleet containers which are sometimes sold off at around 15 – 20 years old. 

How Long Will A Used Container Last?

That would depend upon the age, condition and grade of the container when it was purchased. We are able to advise on the life of all our new and used containers.

Chemical Stores FAQs

What Is A Chemical Store?

A chemical store is a storage container specifically designed to safely store toxic, hazardous or flammable chemical liquids or compounds. 

Do I Need To Separate Or Segregate My Different Chemicals ?

Yes, Non compatible chemicals should not be stored together and should not share the same bund, if there is a risk of a violent reaction when they come into contact with each other. Refer to the material safety data sheets (MSDS) or consult with your chemical supplier for advice.


Is Temperature Control Possible ?

Yes, If your chemicals are sensitive to freezing or very high temperatures, you should consider having frost protection or full temperature control in your chemical store.


What Size/Capacity Does My Bund Need To Be ?

Your bund should be 110% of the capacity of the largest chemical container you are storing i.e for a 1000 litre IBC tank your bund must be a minimum of 1100 litres. If you are storing multiple containers, your bund capacity must be either 110% of the capacity of the largest container you are storing, or 25% of the total combined volume of the containers you are storing – whichever is the largest figure. The bunds on our chemical stores exceed these bund capacity guidelines.

Should My Bunds Be Tested ?

Yes, all bunds should be tested on a regular basis to ensure that they will retain spilled chemicals. All our bund’s are tested during the manufacturing stage and bund test certificates are available.

Why Do I Need Spillage Retention/Bunding ?

You need spillage control or bunding in order to capture and retain any spilled hazardous chemicals, which might otherwise cause harm to personnel, or environmental pollution if they enter storm water drains and enter the groundwater or streams and rivers.

Any potential spillage will result in costly clean up charges, penalties from local authorities, negative publicity and the risk of injury to humans.

Is Ventilation Required ?

Yes, Your chemical store should be ventilated to prevent accumulation of harmful vapours.Flammable vapours are heavier than air and settle at floor level, so if you are storing flammable chemicals, ventilations must be provided at floor level also. If personnel will be in the store for long periods, or will be decanting in the store, forced (electrical) ventilation should be fitted.


What Is A Chemical Bund ?

A bund is basically a large tray into which you sit your containers of chemicals, so that if they leak, the spilled chemicals is captured and retained in the bund. The bund should capture a leak which might otherwise go unnoticed.

Can I Have An Outlet On My Chemical Storage Bund ?

No, It is not recommended that outlets be fitted to bunds as it increases the risk of accidental spillage through either outlets being left opened or becoming damaged.

Modular Buildings FAQs

What Is A Modular Building ?

A modular building is essentially a portable cabin which is too large to be transported as one complete building. So is instead manufactured and transported in sections or modules to be installed together on site.

What Are Modular Buildings Made Of ?

Our standard modular buildings are a timber framed building with a steel space frame. We can also supply steel modular buildings. Both of these building types can then be clad or finished with any required finishes.

How Long Do Modular Buildings Last?

A standard modular building would have a design life of 25 years, however they can be designed to last for longer if required.

What Are The Benefits Of Modular Construction?

The main benefits of modular cabin construction are cost, simplicity and speed. They can also be relocated if required.

How Much Do Modular Buildings Cost?

New modular buildings start from around £550 + vat per m2. However, please be aware that all our cabins are bespoke designed and built to order. Depending on your specific requirements cost will vary. For an accurate quote, please contact us