Planning a custom
mobile site facility.

01 — Purpose

Decide what the unit must do each day.

Start with the primary job: meal breaks, administration, briefings, sleeping accommodation, or a combination. A room designed for a full crew at lunch needs different seating and circulation from a quiet office used by two supervisors. If people will sleep in the unit, privacy, personal storage and access to amenities become central design questions.

List secondary uses too. A site office might also host inductions; a crew room might need a desk and communications equipment. Rank the uses so the layout gives the most space to what happens most often, rather than squeezing every possible feature into the drawing.

02 — Size and layout

Work from people and movement, then choose dimensions.

Record how many people will use the unit at the same time, not just the total number on the project. Mark where they enter, sit, prepare food, work and access amenities. Check whether one activity blocks another: a door opening into a dining area or a queue beside a desk can make a generous-looking plan awkward in use.

The published Site Mate Series 7 floor plan has a 7200 mm external cabin and 2490 mm overall width including awning, steps and lighting. It combines kitchen, seating, storage, an office desk and amenities. Use it as a reference for a crew facility, then identify what you would add, remove or separate. A different size or configuration should be discussed as a custom design, with its dimensions, transport approach and price confirmed in the quote.

03 — Accommodation

Give sleeping space its own requirements.

For an accommodation unit, specify the number of occupants, whether rooms must be separate, bed arrangement, storage, bathroom and shower requirements, and whether a kitchen or shared dining space is needed. Think through shift patterns: people sleeping during the day may need a different arrangement from a standard daytime site office.

Also ask how the accommodation will be supplied with water, wastewater, power and climate control. Site Mate can discuss accommodation-focused configurations, but the final arrangement and availability depend on the design and quote. Confirm any project, site and local approval requirements before committing to a particular layout.

04 — Services and power

List the loads and services before finalising rooms.

Provide an equipment list for air conditioning, refrigeration, kitchen appliances, lighting, screens, charging, internet and security. Record when they run and which loads may overlap. This helps determine whether a conventional site-power setup or an off-grid design is appropriate. Our off-grid power planning guide explains why daily use and peak demand matter more than a solar-panel number alone.

Identify where fresh water comes from and how wastewater will be handled. For a remote or accommodation use, confirm servicing access and who will replenish or empty any tanks. Cable routes, outlets, plumbing and maintenance access are easier to plan before the layout is settled.

05 — Delivery and operation

Check the site before locking in the footprint.

Share the project location, access road, gates, overhead restrictions, ground conditions and the intended placement area. A larger custom unit may affect transport and positioning, so dimensions should be reviewed against real site access early. Tell the supplier if the facility needs to move between sites during the project.

Include the start date, expected duration and whether you are considering a purchase or long-term hire. These details help Site Mate discuss a workable supply path. For a broader procurement checklist, see the mobile crib room buying guide.

06 — Enquiry brief

Send one clear brief for a useful response.

A practical enquiry can be short: location; project dates; main use; number of simultaneous users or occupants; preferred rooms and amenities; power and water availability; access constraints; and whether you want to buy or hire. Attach a rough sketch if the arrangement matters. Site Mate can then discuss the Series 7 or scope a different size and configuration around those requirements.