As you might imagine, costs for modular buildings can vary quite dramatically from $35 to $200 per square foot. The primary factors that affect price include the building size, material quality and complexity of the buildout.

Portable classrooms and offices, which typically do not have very complex buildout requirements, will fall on the low to mid- end of the scale. Basic medical offices are typically more costly than these types of buildings. On the high end, sophisticated buildings with extensive HVAC, wiring and/or high-end building material quality will result in building costs that fall on the high end of the spectrum.

Pricing also varies according to the region of the country. It can be difficult to take advantage of regional differences however as the shipping costs can be prohibitive. See what other BuyerZone users have paid for modular buildings.

If you receive multiple bids, be wary of choosing the lowest priced bid. It is critical that you ensure that bids are truly comparable before choosing solely based on price. Compare specifications carefully as one bid can be significantly lower than another as a result of skimping on construction materials. Check that the quality of fixtures, doors, walls, carpeting, electrical and HVAC are comparable. In addition, make sure to include all costs such as installation when comparing bids.

In terms of financing, you can choose to buy or lease your modular building. Consult your accountant about the tax implications of either leasing or purchasing a building before making a final purchasing decision.