Temporary healthcare buildings served as a lifeline of help during the pandemic’s peak. During that time, hospitals and healthcare facilities were at maximum capacity and could not cater to every patient. Thankfully, modular construction companies exist to provide immediate space solutions for medical needs.
Today, even the education industry utilises temporary buildings for schools and learning facilities. Many medical facilities also invest in temporary healthcare buildings due to their affordability, flexibility, and speed. But now the majority of the world is back at its feet, investing in temporary healthcare buildings may no longer be the best option.
In this post, let’s discuss some possible downsides of investing in a temporary healthcare building.
1 – It can be more costly to maintain than a permanent building
One of the possible downsides of investing in a temporary healthcare building is it can be more expensive to maintain. Yes, building a modular property may be cheaper, but in the long run, it can be costly to preserve its condition.
Construction companies that build temporary buildings use cement, wood, concrete, and other specialised quality material when constructing one. However, since they’ll be transported and are moveable, their quality is less than a permanent structure. Because of that, there’s a possibility that the building won’t be able to withstand natural calamities and disasters. Hence, it makes them more costly to maintain than a permanent building.
2 – Its property value won’t appreciate over time
Another disadvantage of investing in a temporary healthcare building is its property value won’t appreciate. Yes, constructing temporary healthcare buildings may be cheaper, but you won’t get anything back from what you invest in the long run.
On top of that, remember that selling a temporary healthcare building may be a downside. Why? Because only a few people are likely to buy a property that was used for health-related concerns. If you’re hoping to get the money back that you spent on the temporary healthcare building, expect you’ll get less of what you invested.
3 – Its reputation with patients may be affected
Another downside of investing in a temporary healthcare building is that your business reputation could be affected. During the pandemic, having modular and temporary properties was the best solution to patient demands. Today, other health facilities still use them.
It would be okay to use them for laboratory services, tests, and clinics. But using them for critical health-related concerns could trigger patients to have a negative reputation for your business. Using it as a laboratory services centre or health office is better.
4 – It might not be the best space to conduct critical health-related services
Even though temporary healthcare buildings were used for in-patients during the pandemic, using them for critical health-related services may not be the best option. As I mentioned, temporary healthcare buildings are of excellent quality. However, their quality’s still far from permanent structures.
This downside is similar to the previous point I discussed. Considering how clients would perceive them and their long-term quality is why it could be a downside.
5 – Its quality could decrease during season changes
I’ve been saying that the quality of temporary healthcare buildings is excellent. However, if you live in a four-season country, going through season changes can affect the quality of the temporary healthcare building in the long run.
Of course, it could withstand seasonal changes and natural calamities, depending on its intensity. However, you must note that the average lifespan of a temporary building is 10 to 15 years, depending on its quality, usage, and build. And if you’re expecting to use your temporary property for a long time, expect its quality to decline as it goes through seasonal changes and as time passes.
6 – You can recycle the materials of the building, but finding people willing to buy them can be challenging.
Since temporary properties don’t appreciate and their quality could decline over time, it would be challenging to find buyers who’ll buy them. Again, temporary buildings are ideal if you’re starting a business and need your own temporary space. But temporary buildings won’t be the best choice if you wish to get back the money you’ll invest in building one.
On top of that, it’s a disadvantage for buyers to purchase building materials that are used for health purposes as I mentioned earlier. So if you plan to sell your property, I wouldn’t recommend investing in temporary buildings. Choose a permanent property instead, if it better fits your future needs.
These downsides don’t matter if your needs align with the strong points of temporary healthcare buildings.
Despite these downsides, temporary healthcare buildings are still a great choice, especially if your needs and plans align with their advantages. But as I’ve been saying, temporary healthcare buildings may not be your best option if you plan to sell or use the property for a lifetime. Also, educate yourself about modular and temporary properties before investing in one.
About the author:
Bianca Banda is a writer for Flex by MTX, a privately owned construction and engineering company that relentlessly champions the use of Modern Methods of Construction for social, economic, and environmental good.