Buying a modular building is one of the smartest ways to add space — whether it’s for work, school, sport, or farm use.
But… it’s also one of the easiest places to get stung.

Cheap units online. Mystery “suppliers” with no address.
Buildings that look fine on Facebook Marketplace and turn into cold boxes that leak, rust, and cost a fortune to heat.

So before you spend a single penny, here are the 4 things you must know — from an official Welsh supplier who’s seen every mistake under the sun.

1. New vs Used: The Truth About What You’re Actually Buying

This is the biggest trap people fall into.

Used units are cheaper… but only on day one.

Here’s the real comparison:

Refurbished / Used Unit

✔ Lower upfront cost
✔ Good for basic, short-term use
✘ Higher heating bills (older insulation)
✘ More maintenance
✘ Shorter lifespan
✘ Often not compliant for offices, classrooms, SEND, gyms, or commercial spaces

Most people buy used and then end up spending:

• £800–£1,200 on heaters

• £300–£700 on insulation fixes

• £400–£900 on repairs

• And still deal with condensation, leaks, or rust

New Unit

✔ Fully insulated
✔ Lower running costs
✔ Long lifespan
✔ Better soundproofing
✔ Warmer, brighter, more enjoyable to work in
✔ Compliant for building regs, commercial use, and grant applications

A new Containex Plus Line can cost twice as much upfront — but saves thousands over the next 10 years.

This is why serious businesses, councils, schools and sports clubs almost always choose new.

2. Check the Supplier — Not Just the Building

This is the part no one talks about.

A modular building is only as good as the team behind it.

Before buying, always ask:

• Are you an authorised supplier?

• Do you handle planning and compliance?

• Can you deliver and install it properly?

• Do you offer aftercare?

• Where are you based?

• Can I visit a completed project?

If the answer is vague, skip them.

Why this matters:

❌ Most online sellers offer no warranty.
❌ Many don’t install correctly — meaning no levelling, no insulation checks, no safe electrics.
❌ No planning support = massive delays or refusal.
❌ No aftercare = you’re on your own when something breaks.

At CCP Modular:

✔ We are authorised CONTAINEX partners
✔ We are based in West Wales
✔ We deliver across Wales, the South West, and UK-wide
✔ We handle planning, grants, finance, delivery & installation
✔ You get professional aftercare
✔ You get free design mock-ups before committing

This is the difference between buying a “box” and buying a long-term, compliant asset.

3. Factor in Running Costs — Not Just Purchase Price

Most customers look at the price tag.
Smart buyers look at the lifetime cost.

🔥 Heating

A non-insulated box can cost 3–5× more to heat than a modern modular office.
Containex Plus Line units use insulated wall panels designed for European winters — meaning lower bills, warmer space.

🔇 Sound

Older/refurb units are often loud in the rain and wind.
New units (especially Plus Line) have acoustic insulation — perfect for offices, classrooms, and studios.

⚡ Energy

Modern LED lighting, insulated floors, and efficient electrics keep costs down.
Older ex-site cabins? Many still have old energy-hungry heaters and outdated wiring.

A cheaper unit can quickly become the expensive one.

5. Check Whether Your Supplier Helps With Planning, Grants and Funding

This is where most suppliers disappear — and where we stand out.

In Wales especially, planning rules vary massively by council.
Sports clubs, farms, schools, CICs, and businesses all have access to grants that can reduce the cost dramatically.

But only if you know how to apply, when to apply, and what documentation is needed.

CCP Modular handles it all:

📍 Welsh planning laws
📍 Permitted development checks
📍 Full drawings and site plans
📍 Grant discovery (Sport Wales, Community Facilities, Farm Diversification, SEND, etc.)
📍 Finance options to keep upfront costs low

This alone can save you thousands — and months of delays.

🚀 Final Thought: Don’t Buy a Box. Buy a Long-Term Solution.

A modular building is only a good deal if it’s warm, durable, compliant, installed properly, funded properly, and designed for real use — not just cheap on day one.

With CCP Modular, you’re not just buying a building —
You’re buying certainty, support, and a team that does things properly.

If you’re ready to see what your project could look like:

📩 Get your FREE design mock-up here

https://www.ccpmodular.co.uk/small-business-free-design-mockup 

We’ll show you your building on your site — with layouts, options, and honest pricing.

Let’s build something that lasts.