Introduction: Why Good Planning Matters
Planning a new facility? Knowing how to plan a temporary building properly can save time, cost and stress.
Whether you need extra capacity for storage, classrooms, hospitality space or retail operations, a well-planned temporary building project can be the fastest and most cost-effective way to create additional space. But like any construction, success depends on preparation.
From ground conditions and planning permission to design, fit-out and handover, every stage has an impact on safety, cost and timescales. Taking time to plan correctly avoids common pitfalls, keeps your site operational, and ensures your temporary structure performs exactly as you need it to.
At LM Structures, we deliver fully managed temporary and semi-permanent buildings across the UK, and the following guide shares how our teams plan, design and deliver safe, compliant installations that stand the test of time.
The following seven steps outline how to plan a temporary building effectively, drawing on our experience delivering complex installations across the UK.
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Step-by-Step Guide: How to plan a temporary building
Planning a temporary building involves a series of clear, structured steps. Following this sequence will help ensure your project runs smoothly, meets safety standards and delivers exactly what your organisation needs, on time and on budget.
Step 1: Define Your Purpose and Timeframe
Start by clarifying how the building will be used, for how long, and what conditions it must perform under.
- Is it for stock, machinery, dining or welfare?
- Will it operate for a few months or several years?
- Does it need to meet public-access or food-service standards?
Understanding use and duration early will guide structure type, materials and permissions. A short-term marquee for seasonal retail has very different requirements to a semi-permanent warehouse with HVAC and insulation.
Step 2: Assess Your Site
Every successful installation begins with an accurate site survey. Access routes, ground conditions, drainage and utilities all affect feasibility and design.
LM Structures conducts detailed site assessments to identify a variety of factors, including:
- Ground loadings and levelling requirements
- Entry routes for vehicles and equipment
- Neighbouring structures, boundaries and sensitivities
- Weather exposure and drainage flow
This ensures the final design is engineered for the environment and compliant with all safety standards.
Step 3: Confirm Planning & Compliance Requirements
Temporary buildings can often be installed under permitted-development rights if they remain for less than 28 days. Longer installations typically require planning permission or notification. Further details can be found on the UK Government website.
Key considerations include:
- Duration of installation
- Intended use and public access
- Impact on existing buildings and car parks
LM Structures provides planning drawings, structural calculations and specification documents to support applications, helping clients secure approvals efficiently and without disruption to project timelines.
Step 4: Choose the Right Structure Type
With objectives and permissions confirmed, you can select the best structure for the job.
Options include:
- Clearspan marquees – fast to install, ideal for open-plan interiors such as retail or hospitality.
- Industrial tents and temporary warehouses – robust and weather-resilient for storage or logistics.
- Modular buildings – suited to multi-room layouts such as classrooms or offices.
The LM Structures Services page outlines these options in more detail, showing how each can be configured for different applications and durations.
Step 5: Design & Fit-Out Considerations
Once the structure type is agreed, focus on performance and comfort – an essential step in the ‘How to plan a temporary building’ process. Proper fit-out transforms a temporary shell into a functional, safe working environment.
Consider:
- Insulation and thermal roofing
- Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
- Lighting, power distribution and data connectivity
- Flooring, ramps and thresholds for accessibility
- Security shutters and access control
For example, a recent hospitality café extension integrated heating, dimmable lighting and lining to create an inviting, guest-ready space that matched the existing venue – proof that temporary doesn’t mean compromise.
Step 6: Schedule Installation & Minimise Disruption
Good scheduling minimises downtime and keeps trading or operations running smoothly.
LM Structures plans each installation around your operational hours, with tidy, well-coordinated site work to maintain safety and access.
A recent RHS Wisley retail extension was delivered during peak festive trading, with precise phasing that allowed the garden centre to remain open throughout, demonstrating how careful planning protects business continuity.
Step 7: Handover, Maintenance & Support
Every project concludes with inspection, certification and handover. All documentation – from structural calculations to safety certificates – is provided for your records.
Ongoing maintenance keeps the structure performing as intended. LM Structures offers routine inspections, servicing and responsive call-outs for complete peace of mind. This aftercare ensures compliance, safety and long-term reliability.
Key Considerations Before You Begin
Before committing to a design or supplier, review these essentials:
- Site readiness: access, clearance and utilities confirmed.
- Permissions: planning or licensing applications underway.
- Scope & budget: define fit-out level and service inclusions.
- Scheduling: plan around operational or trading periods.
- Maintenance: factor routine inspections into budgets.
These simple checks will prevent costly changes later and ensure a smooth, efficient build.
How to plan a temporary building: Common Mistakes
Avoiding these pitfalls can save weeks of delay and unexpected costs:
- Starting without a confirmed site survey or ground check.
- Assuming planning permission isn’t required.
- Selecting an underspecified or uninsulated structure.
- Overlooking power, lighting or ventilation early in design.
- Forgetting to plan for de-rig or relocation at project end.
Professional support at each stage removes uncertainty and ensures the building meets every technical and safety requirement.
Why Work with a Specialist Temporary Building Provider
Partnering with an experienced provider means your project is managed end-to-end by experts who understand how to plan a temporary building – from structure engineering, compliance, to maintenance and operational logistics.
LM Structures delivers:
- One accountable team from consultation to completion.
- Structures designed for UK conditions and safety standards.
- Detailed documentation and certification at handover.
- Routine inspections and responsive aftercare.
Whether you need short-term cover or a semi-permanent facility, a specialist ensures your project runs safely, on time and to specification.
Talk to a Temporary Building Specialist
Planning a temporary building doesn’t have to be complex. With clear objectives, a realistic schedule and the right specialist partner, you can have a safe, compliant structure in place in weeks, not months.
Contact us via the contact form, call 0333 358 4989 or email enquiries@lmstructures.co.uk to discuss your project with the our team.
How to Plan a Temporary Building FAQs
Yes. All buildings are engineered for UK weather and include wind and snow load certification.
We handle routine inspections and reactive call-outs to ensure safety and compliance throughout hire.
We offer HVAC, mechanical ventilation and condensation control tailored for retail and stock.
Yes. Routine inspections and maintenance are included with every hire as standard, with optional service packages available for long-term installations. These can be tailored to your operational needs, ensuring your structure remains safe, compliant and in perfect working order for as long as it’s on site.
Our structures are designed to be adaptable. Temporary buildings are ideal for short- and medium-term use, while semi-permanent buildings can remain in place for many years with routine maintenance and inspections. We’ll advise on the most suitable solution for your site and timeframe.
