Your questions answered

Here are some answers to many of the questions you may have about our buildings. If you'd like to find out more, please call us on 0845 355 0350 (Hire) or 0845 200 1111 (Sales).

How durable are your buildings, both inside and out?
The structure, roof, walls and floors of our buildings are made from steel. This ensures they are robust and meet all permanent building regulations. A structural design life of up to 60 years is independently confirmed by British Board of Agrément certification, plus Local Authority Building Control approval.

Can you fit out your buildings to comply with NHS Building Notes, HTMs and other requirements? And can you provide Group 1 and 2 items and accommodate Group 3 and 4 items?
Yes. We can design buildings to all the necessary requirements and can supply and install Group 1 and 2 items, as well as accommodating Group 3 and 4 items.

Are your buildings able to accommodate specialist equipment such as Patientline, Kings Fund Beds and patient hoists over each bed?
Yes. We have significant experience of providing specialist healthcare facilities. Our buildings are designed to accommodate all the specialist equipment and services you may need.

When there is an emergency, we have no time to hang about. Can I be sure that the doors, corridors, and wall corners will take the knocks that we will give them?
Yes. We always use high-quality components in our buildings. These can be supplemented with other features, such as door kick plates and wall-protection rails to ensure buildings stand up to even the roughest treatment.

Could you construct operating theatres?
Yes, we have experience of constructing operating theatres. The steelwork within the building system can be adapted to carry all the theatre lights, air-handling systems and other ceiling mounted equipment above the operating suite. Floors are specially reinforced to offer a completely stable environment for delicate surgical procedures.

We are very short of land here at this hospital, can you build up on the roof or in internal courtyards?
Yes, subject to individual site surveys. We have installed buildings on rooftops using structural steelwork, and our modular building methods mean buildings can be easily craned into position in courtyards. Multi-storey capability means large buildings can be created on small footprints or small parcels of land.

I need a new facility but have no capital budget left.
For short-term accommodation, hiring a building from us ensures no capital outlay and easy monthly payments.

What are your typical timescales for delivery/handover?
Depending upon specification, hired buildings can be delivered in a few days, while purchased buildings can take from as little as a few weeks from order to handover.

Can you act as main contractor?
Yes - we can offer a design and build service in line with JCT contract requirements. We are also happy to work with other contractors, as required.

Could you use our existing subcontractors?
The success of a project relies very much on the supply chain. If you wish to employ your own subcontractors or suppliers, it is important that they are assessed in the same way as our existing suppliers. It is not unusual to have the Trust's suppliers carrying out installation work in the building.

Hospital M&E is a large percentage of the contract value. What assurances do I get that the M&E design meets the standards required?
We have two methods of designing M&E work. We have in-house M&E designers for straightforward, standard buildings, and for more complex applications, we use external M&E consultants. Detailed M&E performance specifications can be submitted for consideration or you can inspect work carried out on other projects.

How much are design fees?
We are prepared to do some indicative work to advise clients on cost, layout, specification and programme. This service is free of charge and is a simplified feasibility study. If you wish to go further, by moving towards planning permission without going to contract, a small charge will be made for further work. However, this is only paid if the project does not proceed. The cost of our buildings includes all relevant professional fees to carry out the design and construction of the building.

Do Portakabin buildings meet the DDA, SENDA and Part M of the Building Regulations?

Portakabin buildings can meet the requirements of these regulations and the obligations of the DDA. However, your precise requirements will be project specific. You should seek clarification of these requirements from your local Building Control department before finalising your accommodation solution.