# Can Storage Containers Solve the Soaring Cost of Bricks?
Author:  Pal Sinha, Barnali 
Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali
Published: 2022-07-07
Category: NEWS
Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/news
Meta Title: Innovative Alternatives to Expensive Building Materials
Meta Description: Discover how Mobile Mini's storage containers can cut costs & provide flexible office spaces amidst rising material prices & changing work trends.
URL: https://financedigest.com/can-storage-containers-solve-the-soaring-cost-of-brickshtml

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_By_ **_Anna Richard,_** _from_ [_Mobile Mini_](https://www.mobilemini.co.uk/) _._

It’s no secret that building materials are becoming more expensive. In fact, annual material prices [increased by more than 24 per cent in March 2022](https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/news/construction-materials-shortage), no doubt due to national inflation rates and shortages on the back of the Ukraine conflict. This has influenced the production and sale of multiple building materials, from roof tiles to steel and brick. The price of Forterra bricks, for example, increased by 12 per cent from 1st April.

To address the [soaring cost](https://www.financedigest.com/amazon-other-retailers-revamp-free-shipping-as-costs-soar.html "Amazon, other retailers revamp ‘free’ shipping as costs soar") of materials, professionals within the construction industry can think of innovative alternatives to everyday buildings. Mobile Mini, a leading provider of storage solutions, has examined the benefits of using storage containers instead of traditional [bricks and mortar](https://www.financedigest.com/influx-of-one-time-investors-swapping-stocks-for-bricks-and-mortar-reports-agency.html "Influx of ‘one-time’ investors swapping stocks for bricks and mortar reports agency") businesses.

## **Space conscious**

[Office spaces](https://www.financedigest.com/a-guide-to-finding-office-space-for-your-startup.html "A guide to finding office space for your startup") have changed in recent years. Since the global pandemic, the [demand for offices has decreased by 9 per cent](https://www.londonfirst.co.uk/news-publications/news/logistics-space-under-pressure-and-could-run-out-in-just-five-months-report), and more companies have adopted a hybrid model of working. In London, however, the [average amount of office space being rented has increased](https://www.financedigest.com/taylor-wimpey-espana-remain-cautiously-optimistic-as-average-selling-price-increases-by-20-4.html "Taylor Wimpey España ‘remain cautiously optimistic’ as average selling price increases by 20.4%") from 13.5m square foot per year. This is a 1.14m square foot [rise from the previous decade](https://www.financedigest.com/algae-oil-market-share-to-witness-steady-rise-in-the-coming-decade.html "Algae Oil Market Share to Witness Steady Rise in the Coming Decade").

So, as businesses in [city centres](https://www.financedigest.com/why-are-there-so-few-apartments-to-rent-in-liverpool-city-centre.html "Why are there so few apartments to rent in Liverpool city centre?") scramble to secure larger office spaces, what happens when availability faulters? If constructing new buildings isn’t an option, it would be logical to introduce an alternative to traditional office spaces. Storage containers could be the answer to this problem, [offering more room for growing](https://www.financedigest.com/discount-dining-clubs-tastecard-and-gourmet-society-grow-their-offering-as-chimichanga-and-spaghetti-house-both-sign-up.html "Discount dining clubs tastecard and Gourmet Society grow their offering as Chimichanga and Spaghetti House both sign up") businesses.

## **Flexibility**

Storage containers are a more flexible option than traditional office spaces. Rather than being set in stone, they can be a temporary solution for [businesses unsure of their future](https://www.financedigest.com/surgical-equipment-market-high-trend-opportunities-offers-future-business-growth-by-2030.html "Surgical Equipment Market High Trend Opportunities Offers Future Business Growth by 2030") situations. This is useful for companies that want to try their luck at pop-up stores, a [business trend that is proving successful for trade around the nation](https://www.businessinfocus.co.uk/pop-up-shop-in-barry-declared-a-resounding-success/), including Shared Spaces in Barry.

[Offices crafted from storage containers can also be used by hybrid or remote workers](https://www.financedigest.com/google-mandates-workers-back-to-silicon-valley-other-offices-from-april-4.html "Google mandates workers back to Silicon Valley, other offices from April 4"). These [community working hubs can be hired by companies](https://www.financedigest.com/key-ingredients-to-formulate-and-communicate-a-successful-company-ethos.html "Key ingredients to formulate and communicate a successful company ethos") and individuals alike, whether they want a temporary or permanent desk. [Cardiff Containers has opened in the capital of Wales](https://www.business-live.co.uk/commercial-property/new-shipping-container-office-scheme-21616508), offering this exciting opportunity to those in the city.

## **Customisable**

Storage [container offices might look modern and industrial](https://www.financedigest.com/popcorn-containers-market-important-changes-in-industry-dynamics-during-2017-2027.html "Popcorn Containers Market  Important Changes in Industry Dynamics during 2017-2027") from the outside, but they can be fitted with all of the same comforts as traditional buildings. This includes everything from running water to electricity, meaning that companies can continue with their [business as normal and turn](https://www.financedigest.com/6-expert-tips-to-turn-your-photography-passion-into-a-business-2.html "6 Expert Tips to Turn Your Photography Passion into a Business") the kettle on at break time.

This means that you can make any space personal to your [business ethics](https://www.financedigest.com/how-to-implement-ethical-employee-productivity-monitoring-for-future-business-growth.html "How to implement ethical employee productivity monitoring for future business growth"), whether you’re a minimalist or maximalist interior design enthusiast. There are storage [containers for rent](https://www.mobilemini.co.uk/storage-containers/for-hire/) that start as a blank canvas and are ready to be designed to your specifications.

## **Economical**

The economic [benefits of storage containers](https://www.financedigest.com/manufacturers-of-shipping-containers-market-to-benefit-from-lucrative-growth-opportunities-on-account-of-increasing-adoption.html "Manufacturers of Shipping Containers Market to Benefit from Lucrative Growth Opportunities on Account of Increasing Adoption") are dependent on a few variables. If businesses want to renovate and build their own storage complex from scratch, the [price would be a lot more than simply renting](https://www.financedigest.com/young-greeks-priced-out-as-inflation-rents-soar.html "Young Greeks priced out as inflation, rents soar") one that is ready. On the other hand, it is more [financially viable compared to building](https://www.financedigest.com/best-guide-to-build-a-personal-financial-plan.html "Best Guide to Build a Personal Financial Plan") a new brick-and-mortar business.

To rent a storage container office at Cardiff Containers, for example, would cost £350 per month. In comparison, it cost anywhere between [£110 and £26 per square foot to rent traditional office spaces](https://www.statista.com/statistics/323013/uk-real-estate-prime-office-rent-prices-in-selected-cities/) across the UK in 2021. Although this varied depending on location, it’s always a good idea to have a [search for the most cost-effective options before opening](https://www.financedigest.com/andalucian-open-returns-to-costa-del-golf-as-golfers-go-in-search-of-the-perfect-pad-close-to-the-fairway.html "Andalucian Open returns to ‘Costa del Golf’ as golfers go in search of the perfect pad close to the fairway") a business.

Storage containers might be a temporary solution to the shortage of bricks, but they have the ability to become a [long-term alternative for office spaces](https://www.financedigest.com/spacing-pfizer-covid-shots-boosts-antibody-levels-in-long-term-study.html "Spacing Pfizer COVID shots boosts antibody levels in long-term study"). There’s nothing to stop companies and individuals from using these in the future, whether they’re looking for a quick-fix or a more permanent space.

## Sources

##### [https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/news/construction-materials-shortage](https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/news/construction-materials-shortage)

##### [https://www.londonfirst.co.uk/news-publications/news/logistics-space-under-pressure-and-could-run-out-in-just-five-months-report](https://www.londonfirst.co.uk/news-publications/news/logistics-space-under-pressure-and-could-run-out-in-just-five-months-report)

##### [https://www.businessinfocus.co.uk/pop-up-shop-in-barry-declared-a-resounding-success/](https://www.businessinfocus.co.uk/pop-up-shop-in-barry-declared-a-resounding-success/)

##### [https://www.business-live.co.uk/commercial-property/new-shipping-container-office-scheme-21616508](https://www.business-live.co.uk/commercial-property/new-shipping-container-office-scheme-21616508)

##### [https://www.statista.com/statistics/323013/uk-real-estate-prime-office-rent-prices-in-selected-cities/](https://www.statista.com/statistics/323013/uk-real-estate-prime-office-rent-prices-in-selected-cities/)


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