How to Improve Productivity on a Construction Site with Temporary Accommodation

Delays, cost overruns, and high staff turnover remain constant challenges in the construction industry. Recent research shows that productivity in construction has stagnated for decades compared with other sectors, with wasted worker hours, poor planning and logistical issues often at the root. For project managers, the task is clear: keep skilled workers on site, cut downtime and prevent money leaking from the project.

One of the most direct ways to do this is by installing temporary accommodation. Instead of spending thousands on hotels, or losing hours each week to commuting, construction firms can house workers on site, provide secure facilities and keep teams focused where they are needed: on the job.

In this guide, we look at how temporary accommodation links directly to productivity improvement in construction, how it compares with industry benchmarks, and how project managers can use it as part of wider strategies to boost output and reduce costs.

What Temporary Accommodation Means for Construction Sites

Temporary accommodation covers a range of prefabricated units placed on or near construction sites. These include:

• Site sleepers to house workers overnight.
• Toilets and shower blocks to maintain hygiene.
• Rest areas and canteens where teams can recover between shifts.

For construction companies, there are many benefits of using temporary accommodation.

Cutting wasted hours on projects

Worker hours are a key factor in construction productivity benchmarks. A workforce commuting an hour each way loses ten hours per week in dead time. Installing site sleepers removes that loss, allowing you to keep worker hours aligned with project timelines.

For large construction projects in remote areas, temporary accommodation can be the difference between hitting deadlines and spiralling into costly project delays.

Reducing mistakes and delays

Poor welfare facilities and long commutes cause fatigue, which directly affects worker productivity. Mistakes increase, rework becomes necessary and project timelines slip. Heated cabins, proper rest areas and access to showers improve labour productivity by keeping workers healthier and more focused.

Faster decision-making and better project management

When supervisors and managers are based on site, they can deal with issues the moment they arise. On-site cabins give them a base close to the work, so decisions are made quickly and workers get direction without delays. A team that is present, rested and responsive can adapt to changes in project timelines and keep output steady.

Boost productivity through better worker support

Construction firms often focus on technological advancements while overlooking the human element. Yet worker morale, staff turnover and retention of skilled labour directly affect productivity in construction.

Providing decent welfare facilities shows workers that their wellbeing is valued. A motivated workforce is less likely to leave mid-project, reducing recruitment costs and avoiding the disruption of replacing skilled workers. On-site cabins cut that churn by giving crews the basics they need to stay on the job.

External Factors and Long-Term Productivity Growth

The construction industry is vulnerable to external factors such as weather, supply chain delays and poor communication across teams. While digital tools and new technologies promise productivity improvement, the reality on many job sites is that the standard of basic facilities has far more impact on team productivity.

Temporary accommodation addresses this gap. It doesn’t replace employee training, technological innovation or deeper integration of data, but it provides a foundation: a job site where workers are present, rested and supported, and where managers can coordinate effectively.

How Bunkabin Helps Construction Productivity

Bunkabin supplies robust, UK-manufactured accommodation units that are quick to install and easy to remove at the end of a project. We deliver directly to construction sites across the country - including remote job sites - with minimal disruption. Once hired, cabins can be adapted for site sleepers, welfare units, offices or secure storage.

By removing wasted hours, reducing worker costs and improving welfare, Bunkabin turns abstract discussions of productivity into measurable results: more efficient worker hours, fewer project delays and stronger project outcomes.

Our clients include construction companies working on large construction projects where every hour and every material matters. With Bunkabin, project managers in the construction sector have the tools to improve productivity and remain profitable even under pressure.

For more information on how Bunkabin regularly helps site managers with their construction projects, browse our case studies, or contact us today to learn more. Call us on 0345 456 7899, or fill out an online contact form and we will be in touch at a time convenient for you.