Office · Change room · Toilets and washing facilities · Rest and eating area

Portable and modular buildings in Canada

Compare portable buildings for offices, toilets, change rooms and lunchrooms. Describe how the building will be used, then request rental or purchase quotes including the fitted equipment, delivery, connections and servicing.

Illustration of a single portable building with a door and a window, placed on supports
Generated illustrative image

How much for your portable building?

Specify the intended use and delivery. You can add equipment later.

Free No obligation

Less than a month? Enter 1 month, then specify the dates in your request.

What type of portable building do you need?

First describe what you want to do in it. A module of the same size can be delivered empty, fitted out or equipped for a specific use.

Change room

Let teams get changed.

Lockers, benches and heating. Indicate the number of users and clothing drying or separation needs.

Get a quote for this requirement

Lunchroom and break room

Provide a space for meals.

Seating, tables, food storage and reheating. Specify the number of people eating together.

Get a quote for this requirement

Multiple functions in your project?

Specify the rooms to combine or separate. To organise all site facilities, see our jobsite facilities guide and its site facilities checklist.

Price the fitted building and the services

No verified Canadian portable-building price sample is published on this page. Ask for a quote for the intended use and actual fitted model; a bare container or empty building is not a complete set of jobsite facilities.

Equipment

Specify the exact units, usable facilities, fittings and capacity for the proposed workforce and working hours.

Ready for use

Include delivery, offloading, supports, assembly, water and drainage arrangements, electricity and commissioning before work starts.

Throughout the project

Price cleaning, consumables, tank emptying and water replenishment, maintenance, emergency replacement and final pickup.

Ask for the charge period, applicable sales taxes, minimum rental, extension and notice terms, and every delivery or pickup charge. Commercial rental terms do not change the requirement to provide suitable site facilities from the start and throughout the work.

Request an itemized quote

What dimensions should you consider for a portable building?

Request a dimensioned floor plan for the model offered, showing its actual external dimensions and usable internal floor area. Allow for walls, fittings and service space when comparing layouts.

External envelope

Request length, width, overall height and any roof, stair or equipment projection. These dimensions affect siting and transport.

Finished interior

Request clear dimensions after insulation, linings and services. Lay out furniture and required circulation before assigning an occupancy.

Installation details

Obtain equipped mass, approved lifting points, foundation and anchorage requirements, and the actual door clear opening.

There is no single Canadian portable-building size. The downloadable site-layout rectangle is an illustration, not a supplier model or an approved building design. Use the exact model drawing to assess local snow, wind, frost, fire, energy and access requirements.

A portable building must support the required facilities

Choose the rules for the province or territory and the type of work; federally regulated workplaces have their own regime. Confirm facilities before work starts and maintain them throughout the project.

Accessible, sanitary toilets

Determine toilet type, numbers, privacy and accessibility under the applicable worksite rules. Requirements can depend on workforce and activity.

Specify: State peak headcount, shifts, location, safe access, cleaning, servicing, waste removal and winter operation.

Handwashing and task-specific hygiene

Provide the washing arrangements required for the site and tasks, including suitable water, soap and hygienic drying. Check local running-water and warm-water rules and any exceptions.

Specify: Identify water supply, heating, drainage and freeze protection. Assess showers or specialist decontamination for hazardous work.

Meals, breaks and shelter

Plan clean areas for meals and breaks with shelter and suitable temperature control. Confirm any specific local requirements.

Specify: State simultaneous users, furniture, safe heating, ventilation and cleaning. Keep food separate from contaminated work materials.

Provincial examples apply only in their jurisdiction.

Rental, new or used purchase: what to compare?

Start from the same intended use and equipment level. The period of use, moves and condition of the unit all affect the budget.

Rental for a period

Add up the rental charges, delivery and pickup, and services. Ask about the minimum charge, extension rate and pickup terms.

Get a quote for this option

Buying new

Ask for a detailed breakdown of equipment and options, lead times, warranty and installation costs. Allow for moves if the building will be relocated.

Get a quote for this option

Buy used

Ask for recent photos and check the roof, floor, insulation, doors and services. Add any necessary repairs and fit-out to the purchase price.

Get a quote for this option

Compare the total cost over your expected period of use, including a possible extension. There is no universal number of months after which buying becomes cheaper than renting.

Preparing the site and delivery

The postal code identifies the location. This information then allows the supplier to quote for installation and any necessary services.

  1. Truck access

    Gate width, bends, slope, overhead obstructions and space to manoeuvre. Photos help the discussion.

  2. Installation location

    Distance from the truck to the position, ground conditions and any supports to be approved. State who will provide the offloading equipment.

  3. Available utilities

    Electricity, water and drainage depending on use. Give their distance from the building and ask for connection costs to be quoted.

  4. Schedule and parties involved

    Preferred date, acceptance of the unit, commissioning and maintenance. For rental, also plan access for pickup.

Installation and regulations: key checksTemporary or permanent use, site occupancy and team needs.

Present the intended use, duration and location to the municipality or responsible building authority. Rules for temporary installations linked to a site do not automatically apply to a permanent office or accommodation. For public land or the highway, check any additional permission with the relevant authority.

For toilets, change rooms and eating areas, agree suitable provision with the responsible project team and supplier, taking account of numbers, duration and working conditions. Our jobsite facilities page brings together benchmarks and their limits.

A suitable portable building. A delivered price.

Type, condition, quantity and delivery: prepare your request to compare quotes for your project.

Request portable building quotes

Your questions about portable buildings

What does a portable building cost?
Ask for a current quote for the fitted model, condition, delivery, connections, servicing and any pickup. This page does not publish a verified Canadian portable-building price sample.
Can one portable building provide all jobsite facilities?
A portable building can contain an office, change room, washroom or lunchroom. Your full jobsite arrangement may need several buildings or existing facilities. Specify the workforce, uses and facilities already available, then have the layout and capacity confirmed.
What is the floor area of a portable building?
It depends on the actual model and fit-out. Ask for external dimensions, finished internal dimensions and a furnished plan. A nominal size label does not establish the usable area, occupancy capacity or Canadian code compliance.
Can you buy a used portable building?
Yes. Check the condition of the unit and its equipment, then add transport, installation, connections and any repairs to the purchase price. Ask the seller to specify what is included and what guarantees are offered.
Do you need permission to install a portable building?
Requirements depend on the use, location and duration under the rules of the relevant province or territory. Ask the local land-use and building authorities about zoning, building permits, the adopted code and separate trade permits. Temporary use does not automatically create an exemption; check additional permissions for public land or the highway.

Portable buildings and modular buildings

Suppliers use several names for prefabricated site accommodation. Describe the intended use, dimensions, layout and equipment in your enquiry so that quotes cover the same requirements.

Site office

Specify the workspace, comfort and equipment.

Read

Site toilets and change rooms

Define the facilities and plan the connections.

Read

Jobsite facilities

Organise all team spaces.

Read

Shipping container

Compare sizes for storing and transporting equipment.

Read

Canadian workplace guidance reviewed on 30 September 2026. Request current equipment and servicing prices from the supplier; the directory prepares enquiries.