Mobile office rental is a fast and cost-effective way to get temporary work space on a job site. The size of the trailer you choose will have a big impact on the length of your mobile office rental term: generally, smaller buildings are leased for shorter terms. 12’ x 60’s or doublewides are usually set up for 1 or 2 year terms, while the smallest units are more often used for 1 to 6 month jobs. Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your mobile office rental:

Read the fine print
There are quite a few different costs and fees associated with a mobile office rental, so be sure you read the contract carefully and understand all the charges you're liable for and when they're due. This includes delivery and installation, cleaning and repair charges, and removal fees.

Get the size you need
Not all dealers measure mobile offices the same way. Get quotes based on the size of the “box” – the usable floor space. Some mobile office rental providers include the trailer “tongue” in their measurements – that’s the piece that connects to a hitch for towing – and that adds four feet. While that measurement is useful for site planning, that extra four feet does not give you any more space inside.

How long can you keep it?
Ask about what happens if you want to extend your mobile office rental. Some dealers will charge significant premiums if you want to add a month or two at the end of a multi-year lease. Other include automatic renewal clauses that kick in unless you say otherwise.

Avoid the "rent-to-own" mobile office rental
Just like rent-to-own programs for consumer goods, these programs are usually a bad financial idea. Monthly rental costs for mobile offices are low enough that you should stick with traditional leases, not rent-to-own programs.