How Do You Build an Office in a Warehouse?

If you manage a productive warehouse, you might find you need a quiet place to complete administrative tasks or supervise the facility. That’s where an in-plant office can come in handy. Modular structures allow you to build an office in a warehouse without the stress, hassle and disruptions of traditional construction.

How do you build an office in a warehouse? Let’s break it down step by step.

How to Build an Office in a Warehouse: 9 Steps

Adding an office to your existing warehouse is easier than you might think. With a little planning and the right materials, you’ll be able to enjoy your completed space in no time.

Step 1: Examine Your Space

Before you can begin construction and build an office in a warehouse, you have to do a bit of planning. First things first: What will your office space be used for? Do you need a break room or a true office space for employees? Will this space provide offices for supervisors who may need to work from a mezzanine or observation deck?

Understanding your goals for this office space will help you decide on the design of your in-plant office. For example, in the case of a second-floor in-plant office, you may need large windows to ensure proper supervision of the warehouse floor. Heat and air conditioning may be important features to maintain a comfortable environment for a break room or office space.

Taking these considerations into account before building offices in a warehouse is crucial for ensuring your business gets the most out of the space.

Step 2: Find the Right Location to Build an Office in Your Warehouse

Next, you’ll want to determine where you’ll place your new in-plant office. Do you plan to use existing walls or will this office be freestanding within your warehouse? Consider who will be using the office and how they will access it.

The warehouse layout will also influence the location you choose for building the office. Ensure that the new office is situated in a place that optimizes production flow and maximizes space utilization. A well-designed layout will help improve the operation’s overall efficiency and safety.

As we mentioned earlier, in-plant offices constructed on a mezzanine are a popular option for warehouses looking to save space and incorporate observation spaces. It’s also important to remember that where you locate your in-plant office can affect how you connect utilities like electricity or plumbing.

Step 3: Measure Your Warehouse and the Location for Your New Office

Once you’ve found the perfect spot, it’s time to start taking measurements. Measure the total footprint of the new office in your warehouse, but don’t forget about vertical space, either. If you plan to build either a two-story modular office or an office on a mezzanine, it’s good to know how much height you’re working with.

Since modular offices are versatile and can adapt to fit a growing business, consider the possibility of future expansion when conducting measurements. Leave some space to accommodate any additions you want to include in the future to ensure room for growth.

Step 4: Choose Your Construction Materials

The next step is to select the materials you’ll need to build the office in your warehouse. Are there certain materials that you need to use for your industry or safety requirements? Do you plan to build the office from scratch or use prefabricated, modular components?

Modular components are the ideal solution for most offices in warehouses. They’re fast to deliver, eliminate mess and disruption to your daily operations, install quickly and can be reconfigured should your needs change down the road.

Selecting construction materials that are suitable for your application is essential when building offices in a warehouse. Modular offices are primarily made up of panels that are available in several variations, including materials with a Class-A fire rating for enhanced fire safety or a high STC rating of 33 for soundproofing capabilities ideal for loud manufacturing settings.

Step 5: Obtain Necessary Permits

Before you can build an office in a warehouse, you have to pull all of the necessary permits and permissions for construction. Most modular office installations do not require permits since the units are often classified as equipment instead of a permanent structure.

However, the need for a permit depends on the intended use of the space, the planned size of your new in-plant office and the location and zoning of your warehouse facility. You can work with your manufacturer to obtain the documents needed for the permitting process.

Step 6: Design and Customize Your Office Build

Each warehouse is different, with unique needs for space and operational processes. When you build an office in a warehouse, you must work closely with your contractor or manufacturer to create a design that works best for your facility and intended function. Modular constructions offer a range of design options, from the size to the complexity of the office.

Customize the office build to use space efficiently with features that suit your needs. With numerous configuration capabilities, you can provide privacy and quiet for individual use or create a large room to accommodate multiple staff members for collaborative work.

Step 7: Set and Allocate a Budget

As with any building project, adding a new office to your warehouse will require proper budgeting and consideration of costs. Various factors can impact overall cost, including the project scope, size, complexity and additional features. Whether you’re building the office from scratch or using prefabricated modular components, the materials used and labor will also factor into your overall budget.

Modular offices are usually more cost-effective to build than standard construction since they require less labor and downtime. These components are engineered with precision, often eliminating common, costly errors such as overbuying.

Step 8: Schedule Trades and Subcontractors

If your office design contains complex features or special trades, you may need to consult specialists to install different components in the space. Schedule electricians, plumbers and HVAC specialists early to ensure they’re available to get your office up and running as soon as possible.

This is another benefit of choosing modular construction — it’s easy to customize your office with the trades that matter to you. Modular office panels make electrical, HVAC and plumbing hookups fast and simple so that you can save time on those costly trade installations.

Step 9: Complete Your Build

With your space mapped out, your measurements defined and a clear idea of how you’d like to build, all that’s left is to make your office in a warehouse happen.

Modular construction is the most convenient way to install an office in a warehouse. With accurate measurements and all the special design features you need prefabricated off-site, your office is shipped directly to your warehouse, where it can be quickly assembled and made ready for immediate use.

Benefits of Adding an Office Space in Your Warehouse

Space is usually one of the most precious resources in any warehouse. Adding a modular office can help make the most of limited space while providing a quiet and comfortable place for meetings or general business needs. Some of the additional benefits of building a modular warehouse office include:

Fast Build Time

Unlike traditional buildings, modular offices arrive in panels ready to assemble. Instead of waiting for materials and then waiting on a construction crew, you can begin setting up your office inside your warehouse immediately.

Customizable Sizing

Since modular offices come in panels, you can easily customize the size and layout without needing extensive repairs. Adding an office to a warehouse can also divide departments, as each team can have their own space. Or, give your drivers their own room by placing a building near their entrance or the loading docks.

Easy Relocation

Modular offices are easy to relocate, whether you need to move your unit five feet or five miles away. This ability means you can move it as your warehouse expands or downsizes. Additionally, if you transfer operations to a new warehouse, your modular office can easily move with you.

More Space When Needed

There is no limit to the number of modular buildings you can place in a warehouse if you have the space. You can easily add to an existing unit as your company grows and expands. You can also combine multiple offices to create a custom building.

Durable Building

Modular offices are durable and when you perform regular upkeep and maintenance, your building can last up to 30 years. At Starrco, we ensure all of our modular offices meet local and state requirements and building codes. Our team thoroughly tests all elements of our modular buildings to ensure they meet our high-quality standards.

Quiet and Private Office Space

Unlike the main floor of a warehouse, our modular office spaces offer a quiet and private place your employees can use to conduct meetings, place phone calls and complete other high-priority tasks. Since you can put these modular offices anywhere in the warehouse, you can also use them as a breakroom so employees stay close to or within their primary working area.

Choose Modular Office Solutions from Starrco

Ready to build an office in your warehouse? Whether it’s the facilities manager’s office or a break room, Starrco has the design capabilities and the modular solutions you need. Give us a call at 800-352-4259 for more information or contact us online today.

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