Small Temporary Buildings: Flexible Solutions for Farms and Worksites

Small temporary buildings have become an essential tool for businesses that need fast, practical and cost-effective space. From agriculture and food production to workshops and industrial settings, prefabricated cabins offer a straightforward way to expand operations without the long lead times or high costs of permanent construction.

At Create A Cabin, we design and manufacture modular buildings that are easy to assemble, highly insulated and completely bespoke to your requirements. Every unit is delivered flat-packed and ready for self-assembly, or we can provide construction support if required. This guide looks at how small temporary buildings work, their technical specifications, and the many applications they can serve across UK industries.

What Makes a Temporary Building “Temporary”?

Temporary buildings are designed to provide usable space quickly and flexibly, while avoiding the planning, timescale and investment required for permanent structures. The term “temporary” often refers to buildings that:

• Can be installed and assembled quickly on site.
  
  
• Do not require foundations beyond a flat base such as concrete or plywood.
  
  
• Can be dismantled, relocated or reconfigured if needed.
  
  
• Provide a compliant, functional workspace without full permanent construction.
  
  

Unlike fabric tents or lightweight shelters, prefabricated panel cabins are durable, secure and built to last. They combine the practicality of a temporary building with the performance of a permanent one.

Technical Specifications of Create A Cabin Temporary Buildings

The strength of our design lies in the detail. All Create A Cabin small temporary buildings are manufactured using insulated metal/polyurethane panels, with two options for thickness:

• 60mm insulated panels with a U-value of 0.34 W/m²K.
  
  
• 100mm insulated panels with a U-value of 0.21 W/m²K.
  
  

This provides excellent thermal insulation, energy efficiency and air-tightness, making them suitable for year-round use in both agricultural and industrial environments.

Walls and Partitions

• 60mm or 100mm insulated metal/polyurethane panels.
  
  
• Weight: 10kg per m² for 60mm panels, 14kg per m² for 100mm panels.
  
  
• Colour: White RAL 9010.
  
  
• Supplied with galvanised metal U-shaped tops for secure installation.
  
  

Roofs and Ceilings

• Insulated metal/polyurethane ceiling panels.
  
  
• Waterproof exterior roofing kit supplied for external builds.
  
  
• Walk-on ceiling for safe access and easy installation of electrics or ventilation.
  
  
• Capable of self-supporting spans of up to 6m.
  
  

Doors and Windows

• Insulated, lockable doors in solid or half-glazed designs.
  
  
• Single or double units available.
  
  
• Sliding doors, accordion openings and cold room options supplied on request.
  
  
• Windows available in 1m² or 1m x 2m sizes, with sliding or fixed opening.
  
  
• Bespoke sizes available at additional cost.
  
  

Additional Features

• Panels are food grade compliant and vermin resistant.
  
  
• Designed to be built on a flat base without need for further preparation.
  
  
• Water and rust resistant for long-term durability.
  
  
• Ready to use immediately with electrics and plumbing installed.
  
  

For further information on standard specifications, see our prefabricated buildings product information page.

Benefits of Small Temporary Buildings

Choosing a prefabricated temporary building provides several clear advantages over traditional building projects.

Fast Delivery and Assembly

Units can be manufactured, delivered and ready to assemble within four weeks. Assembly is straightforward, with clear instructions provided, and most small units can be built in just a few days. For customers who prefer assistance, Create A Cabin can provide experienced construction support.

Energy Efficiency

With U-values as low as 0.21 W/m²K, our cabins meet high standards of insulation and thermal performance. This reduces heating costs, minimises environmental impact and ensures comfortable working conditions in any season.

Secure and Lockable

Temporary buildings are often used for offices, storage or welfare facilities, meaning security is a key consideration. All units are supplied with insulated lockable doors and double-glazed windows for safety and reassurance.

Flexible Design

From doors and window configurations to internal partitions, every design is bespoke. This ensures the building is tailored to the exact needs of your business, whether that means office space, storage, break rooms or specialist areas such as food preparation.

Cost-Effective

Prefabricated cabins are significantly more affordable than permanent construction, both in initial cost and in speed of deployment. With prices starting from under £7,000, they are one of the most accessible ways to add new workspace.

Common Applications Across Industries

Small temporary buildings are versatile and can be used in almost any sector. Some of the most common applications include:

• Farms and Agriculture: Offices, welfare facilities, storage rooms, cold rooms and workshops.
  
  
• Food Production: Hygienic, insulated spaces that are food grade compliant.
  
  
• Construction Sites: Temporary offices, restrooms and break rooms.
  
  
• Factories and Warehouses: Partitioned work areas, staff rooms or mezzanine office space.
  
  
• Creative Industries: Photography studios, workshops and storage.
  
  

For farms in particular, repurposing outbuildings with prefabricated cabins can unlock new income streams. One local project converted a fruit farmer’s unused shed into two offices, a store room and restrooms. Completed in just three days, the building was later clad in wood to blend into the natural surroundings, and it is now let out as office space to provide consistent rental income.

Compliance and Safety

Create A Cabin designs all panels to meet C Class fire safety regulations for single storey office spaces. This ensures compliance with workplace standards while maintaining flexibility in design. Panels are also resistant to water and rust, reducing maintenance requirements.

For businesses handling food, the insulated panel system is compliant with food safety requirements, offering a clean, vermin-resistant environment suitable for production and storage.

For further reading on workplace building compliance, see the UK Government’s Health and Safety Executive guidance.

Comparison with Other Temporary Solutions

It is worth noting the advantages of prefabricated cabins when compared with other temporary structures:

• Fabric or PVC Shelters: Lower cost but far less durable, poor insulation, and limited security.
  
  
• Converted Containers: Strong and secure, but often difficult to insulate, limited in size and layout flexibility.
  
  
• Prefab Cabins: Custom sizes, high insulation values, bespoke design, easy assembly, secure and lockable.
  
  

This combination of durability, thermal efficiency and design flexibility makes prefabricated panel cabins one of the most reliable choices for long-term temporary use.

Assembly Process

Each kit includes:

• Waterproof exterior roof kit.
  
  
• Clear and comprehensive instructions.
  
  
• Internal and external doors and windows.
  
  
• Construction components including nuts, bolts, corners and levelling wedges.
  
  
• Pre-cut panel walls with openings for windows and doors.
  
  

Assembly is designed to be simple and instinctive. With a small team, most buildings can be completed within a few days, depending on size. Once constructed, electrics and plumbing can be installed immediately, meaning the building is ready to use straight away.

You can view our assembly instructions and videos for a detailed demonstration of the process.

Why Choose Create A Cabin?

• Over 25 years of experience in modular building and manufacturing.
  
  
• Bespoke design service tailored to your requirements.
  
  
• UK-based production and fast delivery nationwide.
  
  
• Cost-effective solutions with transparent pricing.
  
  
• Options for self-build or assisted construction.
  
  

Our cabins have been used by farms, factories, food production facilities and creative professionals across the UK. Each building is designed with the same focus on quality, efficiency and usability.

Conclusion

Small temporary buildings are one of the most flexible, reliable and affordable ways to create new workspace. Whether you need an office on a farm, a welfare unit on a construction site, or an insulated storage area for food production, Create A Cabin’s prefabricated panel systems deliver a durable and efficient solution.

With excellent insulation, secure doors and windows, and a simple assembly process, these cabins combine the best of both worlds: temporary convenience with the performance of a permanent building. Delivered in flat-pack kits and ready to assemble within weeks, they are the practical answer for any business needing extra space.

For a free, no-obligation quote, contact Create A Cabin today.