Shipping Container Offices: The Complete Guide

Cleveland Containers supplies three distinct office solutions: converted shipping container offices, 50/50 office stores, and site accommodation cabins. 

Each is built differently, serves a different purpose, and suits a different type of project. This guide explains what each one is, who it is for, and how to choose the right option.

Converted Shipping Container Offices from Cleveland Containers

A converted shipping container office is a standard shipping container that has been fitted out as a functional workspace. The container provides the structure – steel, weatherproof, secure – and the internal fit-out converts it into an office environment.

Cleveland Containers carries out container office conversions through its in-house conversions team. Common modifications for office use include:

• Ply lining and insulation: internal wall and ceiling lining to regulate temperature and reduce condensation

• Electrics and lighting: power sockets, LED lighting, and consumer units

• Personnel doors: side-access doors for a more office-appropriate entry point

• Windows: lockable, with anti-vandal shutters available, to bring in natural light and airflow

• Grafo-Therm coating: anti-condensation treatment applied to the roof interior

• Painting: external colour to match brand, site, or planning requirements

Converted container offices are used across a range of applications: permanent site offices for businesses that want a durable, relocatable workspace, creative studios, pop-up retail and hospitality units, education facilities, and remote or rural office space where a traditional building is not practical.

They are built to order rather than available off the shelf, which means the specification, size, and fit-out can be tailored to the project. Cleveland Containers has completed office builds across construction, manufacturing, and the creative sector. Browse case studies or explore the full office and conversions range.

50/50 Office Stores: Workspace and Storage in One Container

A 50/50 office store is one of Cleveland Containers' most popular products for construction and industrial sites. It is a shipping container divided by a partition wall into two sections: one fitted out as an office workspace, the other as secure lockable storage.

Both sections can be fitted with electrics and lighting. The office area includes a personnel door, vinyl flooring, and lockable windows. The storage section is configured for racking, shelving, workbenches, or tool storage depending on the requirement.

50/50 office stores are available in 20ft and 40ft configurations. The 40ft unit can be split in any proportion - 10ft office and 30ft storage, 15ft and 25ft, or an equal split - depending on how much workspace and how much storage the project requires

They are built to order by Cleveland Containers' in-house conversions team and are available for sale only. Recent projects include a 50/50 office store for National Grid in Wales and a converted unit for Kinectrics supporting HVDC cable testing operations in Middlesbrough.

For full specification and fit-out options, see the 50/50 office stores.

Site Accommodation Cabins: Ready-to-Use Site Offices

Site accommodation cabins from Cleveland Containers are anti-vandal steel cabin units used as temporary or semi-permanent site offices, canteens, changing rooms, and welfare facilities. They are not made from shipping containers but are commonly grouped with container products because they serve similar site functions and are available from the same supplier.

The key practical difference is that site accommodation cabins arrive ready to use. Every unit is pre-fitted with insulation, electrics, lighting, a whiteboard, a pinboard, a secure personnel door, and lockable windows. No internal fit-out is required on delivery. The ground needs to be level and prepared so the cabin can then be placed and used immediately.

Office cabins available from Cleveland Containers

20ft site office

Suited to site managers, supervisors, and project teams of all sizes. Commonly used for daily operations, inductions, and meetings on construction, utilities, and infrastructure sites.

32ft site office 

The largest cabin in the range. Suited to larger project teams requiring multi-desk layouts, dedicated meeting space, or combined planning and admin use. Used on major construction, roadworks, and civil engineering projects.

Site accommodation cabins are available for both hire and sale. Hire suits short-term projects and fluctuating workforce numbers. Purchase suits businesses with ongoing site requirements across multiple projects. New units come with a 5-year warranty.

For units available to purchase now, see the site accommodation for sale.