Harbour Building: 5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Modular Over Traditional Methods

When it comes to British Columbia (B.C.) there’s no shortage of harbours. And if your next business project involves developing a job site around one, there are probably a lot of decisions on your mind at this moment.

Regional weather has seemingly become more extreme according to scientists. B.C. has seen an increase in wildfires, flooding, and mudslides, to name a few natural disasters. 

But even if you’re not facing an area with a record for those extreme occurrences, you still will need a facility that can withstand the harsher environment. Harbour water usually contains more salt, which can be extremely damaging. It can actually affect metals and buildings up to 50 miles inland.

One of the common stereotypes around modular is that it is poorly made, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. It uses the same supplies as traditional buildings, right down to the frame itself which is made of extremely durable steel. That way you can have peace of mind that you’re investing into a harbour structure that will last.

A permanent structure means that once it’s in place, it’s not being relocated without a huge cost attached and a lot of disruption. But with modular, you always have the option to prepare a new area and easily move your structure. 

This is helpful if you’re not envisioning your business staying in the same area long-term. That way when you’re ready to move, you don’t have to start from the very beginning again.

And depending on the level of flexibility you need (perhaps a temporary harbour space) Britco also has options to rent a modular space to fit your needs. This is ideal if you have only seasonal needs and want to save money on long-term facility costs, like upkeep.

Time really is money, because the longer your project takes the more it costs you. However, building your facility in modules has its perks — the biggest one being that it comes with a faster timeline than traditional construction.

Our offerings are built using an assembly line method within a controlled environment. Usually, they are constructed in the following steps:

1. The framing and floors are assembled. Modular steel frame construction uses the same materials and meets the same requirements as traditional construction.
2. Walls are attached to that module and other elements like windows, insulation, electrical wiring, and plumbing are added.
3. While the previous step is happening, the roof is being fabricated simultaneously. It’s attached once the module is ready.
4. The final interior and exterior finishes like flooring, fixtures, ductwork, and other custom details are added. The roof decking is also added and covered with an exterior waterproof surface.

And while that’s happening, you’re able to work on prepping the actual job site including tasks like grading, site drainage, and utilities. This is a huge perk since in a traditional process you’d have to do this piece first before being able to start any construction on the building.

Modular maritime facilities are more eco-friendly thanks to the highly controlled assembly process. And because it’s done offsite, there’s less material waste during the actual building of your structure. Plus any leftover or unused materials can be saved and reused in different projects, which leads to fewer items ultimately ending up in a landfill.

Additionally, these structures don’t require as many skilled labourers on the actual job site, which leads to less heavy equipment and fewer vehicles. This ultimately ensures you create less disturbance to the surrounding environment. 

Perhaps you need a harbour office with a custom configuration or are looking to create a two-storey facility. Whatever your vision and your needs are for this new harbour building, our team can match it with a custom solution.

We also offer Smart Space, which is a unique product with a ‘building block’ design. This makes it easy and flexible for you to deploy and arrange as needed.