HOW QUICKLY CAN TEMPORARY STUDENT ACCOMMODATION BE INSTALLED?

Where delays to new halls, higher than forecast international applicants or a major on-campus summit cause demand for university accommodation to surge beyond what the existing estate can meet, the pressure is on to find a workable solution.

This is where temporary student accommodation has become an increasingly popular choice in recent years, and Bunkabin has been leading the way with several successful deployments across the UK. As the country's largest hire fleet operator, we can provide nationwide cabin delivery and installation.

Here, we discuss how fast we can accommodate the needs of university planners when it comes to making sure students have housing in place, alongside what to expect on delivery day, and what happens once temporary accommodation is no longer required.

HOW LONG DOES TEMPORARY STUDENT ACCOMMODATION INSTALLATION TAKE?

Would it annoy you if we say it depends? That's the honest answer, but to get a bit more granular, a small number of sleeper units being placed on an accessible area of existing ground, and with utilities ready to connect, could be installed in a matter of hours.

Where plans involve a temporary student village containing hundreds of bedrooms alongside communal facilities and supporting welfare units, plans may take a little longer, depending on how ready the site is for the units. Even so, our hire fleet is capable of delivering and positioning the units swiftly. Once a unit is positioned, they can be connected and ready to go in an hour, if the required services are available on site.

For universities that need quick hire student accommodation, early contact gives us the best opportunity to confirm fleet availability, assess the practical requirements and create a delivery plan. However, urgent projects should still be discussed with us. Our large fleet and established transport operation mean we may be able to help institutions respond even where time is limited.

WHAT AFFECTS THE INSTALLATION TIMESCALE?

The main factors are the size of the project, the type of units being supplied and the readiness of the proposed location.

The number of students to accommodate

A university may need rooms for a small group of students or replacement capacity for an entire hall of residence.

The number of bedrooms required affects:

• how many units must be supplied
• the number of vehicle movements
• the space needed on site
• the number of utility connections
• how long positioning and commissioning will take

Bunkabin can provide individual sleepers or coordinate as part of a larger temporary accommodation scheme. Our temporary student accommodation is available for short-term stays or longer hires covering a full academic year.

The type of modular buildings or units required

A student accommodation site may need more than bedrooms.

Depending on the facilities already available nearby, the project could include:

• single or shared sleeper units
• additional toilet facilities
• portable shower units
• dining and rest areas

Each of our units has its own dimensions, weight and service requirements. Universities can use Bunkabin’s portable cabin specifications to compare the available sleeper, hygiene and welfare units when planning for their campus needs.

The condition of the site

Site readiness is often the biggest influence on the delivery programme.

An existing car park, service yard or area of sturdy land may already offer a stable base and convenient access to water, electricity and drainage. A grassed or undeveloped area may need groundwork, temporary roads or other infrastructure before it can support the units and delivery vehicles needed for student accommodation site setup .

Permissions and compliance

Temporary buildings may still need planning permission or other approvals, particularly when they will remain in place for an extended period. Bunkabin advises customers that cabins sited for more than 28 days may need planning permission and that the hirer should check the position with the relevant local planning authority. The university may also need to consider factors like local building regulations, fire safety and availability of drainage.

These checks should begin as soon as temporary accommodation becomes a realistic possibility. A delay in obtaining permission can hold up an otherwise straightforward installation.

WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE THE UNITS ARE DELIVERED?

Before temporary accommodation delivery , we just need a few basic details about what you need and where the units will go.

This includes:

• how many students need accommodation
• when the rooms are needed
• how long they will be required
• whether you need single or shared units
• whether any accessible accommodation is needed
• which existing campus facilities students can use
• whether you also need toilets, showers or dining units

From there, Bunkabin can recommend the right mix of units and plan the delivery.

For example, the Bespoke Single Sleeper includes a full-sized bed, en-suite bathroom and study area, making it a practical self-contained room for students.

There is no need to overcomplicate the process. Once the requirement, site and hire period are clear, Bunkabin can help organise the rest. Read our guide to choosing a suitable location for temporary student accommodation for more detail on these points.

WHAT HAPPENS ON DELIVERY DAY?

Once the site is ready, Bunkabin will deliver the units in an agreed sequence.

For a larger project, careful sequencing prevents delivery vehicles from blocking each other and allows the installation team to work efficiently across the site.

The process will generally involve:

1. The delivery vehicle arriving at the agreed access point.
2. The driver confirming the position of the unit with the site representative.
3. The vehicle moving as close as safely possible to the installation location.
4. The unit being unloaded using specialist lifting equipment.
5. The cabin being positioned and checked.
6. Water, waste and electrical services being connected.
7. The unit and its facilities being inspected before use.

Bunkabin’s specialist transport fleet allows our drivers to handle the delivery and precise positioning of the units, rather than leaving the university to arrange separate haulage and installation contractors. Our vehicles provide nationwide coverage and are equipped for the controlled placement of portable accommodation.

Where there are numerous units, delivery may be completed over several days or in planned phases. This can make it easier to coordinate vehicle access, utility work and other campus operations.

CAN TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION BE INSTALLED ON AN ACTIVE CAMPUS?

Yes, but the work must be carefully coordinated.

Universities remain busy throughout much of the year. Students, staff, visitors, maintenance teams and construction traffic may all use the same routes. The installation plan should therefore minimise conflict between delivery vehicles and everyday campus activity.

Practical steps can include:

• arranging deliveries outside peak arrival and departure periods
• using temporary barriers around the unloading area
• providing banksmen or traffic marshals
• separating pedestrians from vehicle routes
• coordinating with campus security
• communicating road or footpath closures in advance
• keeping the accommodation away from hazardous construction zones

Where new halls are still under construction, the temporary units do not necessarily need to sit beside the delayed building. Another university-owned location may provide better access, fewer safety risks and a more comfortable place for students to live.

HOW BUNKABIN MAKES INSTALLATION STRAIGHTFORWARD

Fast delivery is not just about having cabins available. You also need the right units, the right vehicles and a team that knows how to position and connect them safely.

Bunkabin brings all of this together. We manufacture our sleeper and welfare units in Britain, operate the UK’s largest hire fleet and provide nationwide delivery using our own specialist transport. You deal with one team for the units, delivery, positioning and installation, rather than coordinating several different suppliers.

That makes Bunkabin a practical choice when you need quick hire student accommodation. We can supply sleeper units alongside portable toilets, showers and diners, then plan the delivery around your site and timescales.

Our quick hire service is designed for urgent requirements, including higher-than-expected student numbers or problems with existing accommodation. With depots in Oldham and Dunstable, we can serve universities across Great Britain.

The units are also designed for efficient transport and installation. Up to four Junior Deluxe Sleepers can be carried in one load, helping us deliver larger quantities quickly and keep the setup process moving.

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD A UNIVERSITY CONTACT BUNKABIN?

The earlier the university gets in touch, the more options will be available, particularly where large volumes of units are required. This allows us to step up production if required.

However, a late requirement does not mean temporary accommodation is no longer practical. Bunkabin can supply additional student accommodation with only a few weeks’ notice in some circumstances, depending on fleet availability and whether the site can be prepared in time.

The fastest route is to contact us with as much information as possible. The number of students, location, required start date and likely hire period will help our team provide realistic advice. When comparing options beyond cabins, purpose-built student accommodation often includes utilities and more flexible tenancy lengths, which can affect the right tenancy choice.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE ACCOMMODATION FOR SHORT TERM STAYS IS NO LONGER NEEDED?

Temporary accommodation is designed to bridge a specific gap. Once students can move into permanent halls or the additional capacity is no longer required, Bunkabin can arrange for the units to be disconnected and collected.

This reverses the delivery process:

• services are safely disconnected
• the units are checked
• access is cleared for collection
• each cabin is lifted onto the transport vehicle
• the units are removed from campus
• the university can restore or repurpose the site

This gives universities the flexibility to solve a short-term accommodation problem without constructing additional buildings that may no longer be needed once the original project is complete.

SPEAK TO BUNKABIN ABOUT DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION TIMESCALES

Our large hire fleet, specialist delivery operation and plug-and-play units allow universities to create additional student accommodation without adding another lengthy building programme. Where site conditions are suitable, we can in many cases arrange swift delivery.

Contact Bunkabin for advice on temporary student accommodation installation and realistic delivery timescales. Call 0345 456 7899 or request a quick quote.