10 Tips for Working From Your Construction Trailer Office
The commercial construction industry saw an 8% annual growth from 2014 to 2019. Such increases in commercial construction boost local economies, support consumer demand, and create more jobs for construction workers. As more job sites pop up, more construction managers are called to take up temporary office spaces onsite in mobile offices.
COMPARE PRICESWorking from your construction trailer office can be challenging, especially when you’re used to traditional office settings. Fortunately, with some careful planning and forethought, you can minimize the challenges and maximize the benefits of working from an office that moves with you as you work on construction sites all around town.
Here are 10 tips to help you make the most of your mobile office trailer.
1. Choose Your Location Carefully
If you work from a construction trailer office, ensure that your location doesn’t prevent you from getting to your job site on time. Try setting up your trailer at an accessible site on the job. That way, you avoid setbacks that make you late to work.
Also, you should take cell reception into account when deciding on the location of your mobile office trailer. Though some companies connect landlines to their mobile construction trailers, many workers rely on cell service to communicate from the mobile office. So, don’t park the trailer in a dead zone!
While the mobile office trailer increases safety onsite, you should still find the safest location to set up the trailer. Avoid high-risk zones on the construction site to keep you safe in your trailer.
2. Get Organized Before Moving In
When you’re moving into a temporary office space, it’s easy to assume that organization won’t be a top priority. You’re only there for the duration of this job, after all. But, a well-organized office space goes a long way in getting your construction job done right and on time.
Start by taking note of the organizing amenities available to you. Did your company furnish the mobile office with a filing cabinet, a desk with drawers, and an in/outbox? Take note of what you have and what you need and make requests as necessary.
Then, make an office organization plan around these amenities before you move into the temporary mobile construction office. This way, you’ll have an idea of where everything goes and can focus on getting things done rather than trying to find room for your desk in an already crowded space.
COMPARE PRICES3. Keep Your Space Clean
Almost as important as organizing is cleanliness. Construction sites are plagued with dirt and grime that your mobile office space is not immune to. Allowing that to seep into your workspace is not only distracting but a danger to your health.
When working from a construction trailer office, you should keep to a strict cleaning schedule. Try tidying up smaller messes and clutter in the morning, then wipe down your workspace, clean the windows, and take out the trash in the afternoon as you leave!
Moreover, if you’re sharing the mobile office, try to keep any personal items like clothes or food out of the workspace so they don’t get in anyone’s way. If possible, try not to eat at your desk. Aside from leaving an unpleasant odor for your coworkers, it could invite pests into your shared workspace.
4. Stay Warm and Dry
Mobile office trailers aren’t always equipped with heating systems or quality insulation. Sometimes, it is challenging to stay warm and dry in a construction trailer on a cold, rainy day.
Here are some simple tips to ensure you can stay comfortable even when the weather gets bad:
- Keep your trailer office door closed as much as possible
- Bring an extra pair of shoes to wear inside
- Wear socks around your desk
- Wear layers of clothing
- Have an extra blanket handy at all times
Staying warm and dry keeps you comfortable and focused on your work. It also protects your health so you can keep showing up until you finish the job.
5. Protect Electronic Equipment
Most construction managers bring electronics like iPads and laptops onsite to help with their day-to-day tasks. Often, that equipment is company-issued and should receive the utmost care.
The best thing you can do for this equipment is to bring it indoors instead of leaving them in the mobile office trailer. While that’s not always possible — especially if you set up a desktop computer — there are other ways to protect electronics in your construction trailer office.
To prevent water damage during the winter, bring along a small dehumidifier that can help dry out any moisture that seeps into your trailer. A 20-pound unit should be more than enough to do an average-sized office.
Also, you should try using an air duster to clean your equipment often. Small particles of construction dust can build up in your keyboard and parts of your computers quicker than you’d expect. Try using your air duster once a week or more if you notice a lot of buildup.
6. Learn to Combat Boredom
When you work from your office trailer, there are times when you will have nothing to do. When your outbox is full and your inbox is empty, you will find it easy to give in to boredom. But, instead of focusing on how bored you are, try using that time to be productive in other ways.
Start by practicing strategic breaks. Small breaks during activity lulls can help rejuvenate your mind. Take a few minutes to meditate or relax with a good book. You’ll feel refreshed and ready to tackle any challenges that come next.
Then, you can find alternative activities to stay busy in the office. Work on becoming more organized, cleaning, or head out on site and see if anyone needs anything from you. Be proactive to fight boredom!
7. Use Wall Hooks to Maximize Efficiency in a Tight Space
Wall hooks are a great way to add storage to any size space in your trailer. Not only will they help you stay organized, but they can also help you save money on office supplies.
Here are three ways wall hooks can help boost your productivity while working from a mobile office trailer:
- Use wall hooks to hang an office bulletin board. Use tacks or small nails to secure documents and reports onto the board so no one misses an important notice.
- Hang wall hooks by the door to stow away coats so they don’t clutter the workspace. A decluttered space clears everyone’s minds, helping them be more productive.
- Hang tools off of wall hooks to keep them out of harm’s way. This will save space and reduce the risk of a workplace accident in your mobile office.
The best part about wall hooks is that they are removable. So, if your construction company rents mobile office trailers, you won’t be damaging someone’s property by using wall hooks.
8. Go Solar
If you work in an office trailer, stay comfortable and safe by investing in solar equipment. You can use portable solar panels that offer enough electricity to heat water, cook using a hot plate, and even keep your electronics charged up.
If you have more room in your trailer, consider adding solar-powered lights as well. The right gear will go a long way toward keeping you comfortable in your office.
9. Personalize Your Workspace
Add personal touches to your mobile office trailer to make it feel more like home. Buy some plants and put them on window sills. There’s nothing quite like having a green thumb to make working from a construction trailer office much easier.
A little color can also go a long way toward making a trailer office for a construction site feel more like home. Add pictures, an inspirational poster or two, and a few small decorations to jazz up your space and keep you energized while you work.
10. Turn It off So You Can Turn It Back on Again
When you’re working, your focus should be on work — not e-mail, Facebook or Twitter. Use a program like Freedom (for PC users) or Anti-Social (for Mac users) to block specific sites for a certain amount of time and achieve uninterrupted productivity.
These services help you schedule your work and breaks to optimize productivity. If you need a break, instead of turning off the apps, try to get away from the screen by taking a short walk or stretching. If it helps, set an alarm so that you know when it’s time to get back to business.
Buy or Rent a Construction Trailer Office Today!
There are so many reasons to use a construction trailer office at your worksite. They help keep management close to the action and on top of the constant changes evolving on site. If you’re ready to take the plunge and buy or rent a mobile office trailer, look no further than Office Trailer Sales.
We are an industry leader in sales, service, installation, and rentals of construction trailer offices. We specialize in renting and selling mobile office trailers in all shapes and sizes. Contact us today for a free quote on your next rental!
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