Knowing when to use a combined welfare and storage unit on-site can save you space and money and fix a major logistical headache.
For a lot of projects, a 50/50 store is exactly the right answer. Half the unit gives you secure, lockable storage for tools, materials, and equipment. The other half covers your welfare requirements: a rest area, somewhere to get changed, and basic facilities for the crew.
It’s one unit, one delivery, one footprint, doing two jobs simultaneously. Whether a 50/50 store is right for your project depends on a few factors worth thinking through before you commit.
Above: Floorplan of a Philspace 50/50 Store.
When to Use a Combined Welfare and Storage Unit on Site
A 50/50 store works best in specific circumstances.
It’s one of the most effective space-saving container options for smaller projects, but it’s not the answer to every setup.
It’s really important to understand where it fits and where it doesn’t. Let’s have a look at how to make the right call.
As a Space-Saving Solution for Smaller Projects
Refurbishment work, residential extensions and small commercial builds are all jobs where space is tight and placing several separate units just isn’t practical.
Balancing welfare and storage needs on restricted sites is a real challenge, and a combined unit solves it.
A 50/50 store takes up the footprint of one standard cabin while covering two distinct operational needs. For site managers working on plots where every square metre counts, that’s a big saving in both space and cost.
Phased Projects With Lighter Welfare Demands
On larger projects, a 50/50 store can still make sense during the early or late phases, when the gang size is reduced and a full welfare cabin would be oversized for the crew currently on site.
It bridges the gap between a bare-bones setup and a full complement of accommodation. So you get the right provision (in line with HSE) for the phase you are in without spending on capacity you do not need.
Knowing when to use a combined welfare and storage unit on site during these transitions is a really powerful way to keep your costs down but still be compliant and keep your staff and equipment safe and looked after.
Smaller Contractors Running Lean Operations
Smaller contractors and sole traders don’t often need a dedicated welfare cabin and a separate storage container running at the same time.
A 50/50 store covers both bases at a lower overall hire cost and with less logistical complexity. If your operation typically runs crews of two to six people, it is worth considering before defaulting to two separate units.
For a lot of small contractors, a 50/50 store is the most sensible answer to balancing welfare and storage needs on restricted sites without overcomplicating the setup.
Above: A Philspace 50/50 Store
Not Sure Whether a 50/50 Store Is Right for Your Site?
The Philspace team can help you work out which welfare, storage or 50/50 unit is best for you. Call us today on 02380 223333 or get in touch online. A quick conversation is usually all it takes to point you in the right direction.
When a 50/50 Store Might Not Be the Right Call
A 50/50 store is one of the best space-saving site solutions for smaller projects, but as with all options, it has some limitations.
If your gang has grown to the point where the welfare half feels cramped, or if the storage side can’t comfortably hold what you need to secure overnight, separate units will serve you better.
The combined format works because of its efficiency, so if you’re pushing against its capacity in either direction, the efficiency argument starts to break down pretty quickly.
If you’re genuinely unsure which way to go, give us a call. We can talk through your crew size, site constraints, and project timeline and give you a straight steer.
Want to Balance Welfare and Storage Without the Guesswork?
The team at Philspace has been supplying site accommodation across the South for decades, and 50/50 stores are some of our most popular units, particularly from refurbishment contractors and smaller builders who need a practical setup that covers both welfare and storage without taking up unnecessary space or budget.
Our fleet is in-house, our deliveries are handled by our own Hiab vehicles, and we do not subcontract the logistics. When you hire from us, the unit arrives when it is supposed to.
So if you’re weighing up whether a combined welfare and storage unit is right for your next project, get in touch. We’ll talk through your site, your crew size, and your timeline and make sure you have the right solution from day one.
FAQs
What is a 50/50 store, and when should you use one on-site?
A 50/50 store is a single cabin split equally between secure lockable storage and a welfare area for rest and changing. It suits smaller sites, restricted footprints, and crews of two to six people where running separate welfare and storage units would be impractical or disproportionate to the scale of the project.
Is a 50/50 store compliant with CDM 2015 welfare requirements?
A 50/50 store can meet CDM 2015 welfare requirements for smaller crews, providing rest facilities, changing space, and basic amenities within the welfare half of the unit. That said, it’s not an automatic compliance tick. These things aren’t always simple yes-or-no answers. For larger gangs or projects with more complex welfare needs, a dedicated welfare cabin is likely to be the more appropriate choice.
What is the difference between a 50/50 store and separate welfare and storage units?
A 50/50 store combines both functions into one unit, reducing the site footprint and overall hire cost. Separate units offer greater individual capacity but require more space and higher spend. The 50/50 store is the practical, space-saving choice for smaller projects where crew sizes are modest and the site footprint is restricted.
Further Reading
Mobile Welfare Solutions for Highways and Utilities Teams
Temporary Welfare Facilities for Refurbishment Projects
4 Ways to Use Mobile Welfare Units
Make the Most of the Housebuilding Boom with Welfare Unit Hire
