Modular office pods aren’t going anywhere… except for the fact that they can sorta-kinda go anywhere. Yes, this fad is sticking around, because modular office pods are just too useful to deny their spot in your modern office. Now, you might be asking: “If it’s just building a smaller room in a larger room, why are modular pods better than regular drywall construction?”
It’s cheaper. It’s faster. And it’s sustainable.
We’ve always advocated the numerous benefits of office pods on workplace wellbeing, like privacy, ambiance, and uninterrupted focus, but what about the bottom line?
Because this is what it comes down to:
Modular office pods save you money and time.
One of the biggest benefits of modular office pods is that they’re quick and cost-effective to install, allowing you to avoid:
- The hassle of applying for planning permission
- Workplace interruptions
- The cost of building walls
- Dilapidation costs at the end of your lease
And, importantly, with ESG credentials now a leading driver behind office occupation decisions in London’s high-end corporate leasing market, modular office pods are ecologically sustainable.
Two of our favourite room-in-room systems that tick all these boxes are CellPods and Mute Modular Pods. Their modularity is what makes them so useful.
Insert images of a CellPod and Mute Modular Pod here, if possible.
What Is a Modular Office Pod?
So, we’ve briefly touched on the benefits of modular office pods, but what exactly are they?
In the pod world, modules can be thought of as repeatable building blocks that can be manufactured in repeatable processes. This controls costs and, in the case of pods, makes them transportable in pieces that a human can handle.
In the case of CellPods and Mute Modular Pods, the modules from which each pod is constructed are identical frame sections, glass panels, acoustic panels, accessories and furniture. These building blocks make it easy to create a vast variety of different spaces. The configuration that is right for you will depend on your needs.
Book a Free Consultation with Our Office Pod Experts and We’ll Help You Find the Right Modular Work Pod Solution for You
Modular Office Pods Are Cost-Effective
The 2025 Turner and Townsend Guide to Global Fit-Out Costs revealed that in London, high-spec fit-out costs are among the most expensive internationally, at an average of $5,932 (USD) — or £4,447.22 per m². For the first time ever, office fit-outs in London are now more expensive than in New York.
Costs vary by size and spec, but in general, modular pods cost significantly less than building permanent rooms, especially for small rooms. For larger rooms, the initial ticket price of a pod is closer to that of construction, but it is still far more cost-effective when you factor in hidden construction costs, future savings on reconfiguring or moving your office, and the huge losses that accompany disruptions in your workplace.
Construction alone in London ranges from £1,896.85 per m² for low-spec builds to £3,080 per m² for high-spec fit-outs. Traditional construction also often comes with additional hidden costs where architects or designers need to be involved.
For comparison, a high-quality 4m x 4m (16m²) meeting pod like CellPod starts from £1,816 per m² for the basic structure to £2,650 per m² for a fully furnished, customised pod. A 2023 CBRE/Framery study found that in London, pods can be between 25% and 50% cheaper for small-to-medium meeting spaces.
The Hidden Cost of Complying with Building Regulations
Putting up permanent walls in any interior office space can come with a massive hidden cost when HVAC and sprinkler systems need to be modified to comply with building regulations. This often triggers additional permits and approval processes. Moving a single sprinkler head can easily set you back thousands of pounds.
Pods, on the other hand, are considered furniture items and typically circumvent the need for alteration to your fire and air treatment systems.
Some insurers and landlords may require pods to have their own interior sprinklers and smoke detectors. If this is the case in your building, CellPods have a patented Active Ceiling option. It is a louvred roof with battery-operated actuators that open the ceiling when there is a power failure or fire. The CellPod Active Ceiling meets multiple international building safety standards, removing the need to install fire suppression systems directly within the pod’s roof structure.
End-of-Lease Costs
Modular pods also save you from the burden of end-of-lease dilapidation or “make-good” costs. Regular construction often triggers a clause in lease agreements that requires tenants to return office space to its original condition. Breaking down traditional constructions generates nothing but waste.
Future Fit-Out Costs
Modular pods can be reused and reconfigured, saving on future fit-out costs. When you move offices, your pod comes with you. A one-off purchase can save 100% of traditional construction costs in your 2nd or 3rd office location. Pieces of your current meeting room can also be used to build future phone booths or extended to build an entire boardroom. Traditional builds are always a sunk cost.
In contrast, pods are constructed offsite and can be installed in hours. Traditional construction disrupts your office for weeks or even months. The cost of lost productivity during construction can be eye-watering — often pricier than the actual construction. Ultimately, installing a modular office pod minimises costly office disruptions.
Read more: Check out our lead times in our Ultimate Guide for Choosing the Right Office Pods for Your Workplace.
Cleaning up the Mess
Lastly, a sneaky hidden cost of traditional construction is cleaning up the mess. There is usually a silly amount of dust billowing from a construction area, not to mention volatile organic compounds from paint and glue. Cleaning up after the construction crew might require a professional cleaning team with carpet washers, and you might also need to replace your HVAC air filters. The key benefit of installing a modular office pod is that you can avoid the costs associated with post-construction cleanup.
The Recap: How Modular Pods Save You Money
- Pods save money on construction costs
- Pods save money on structural changes like moving fire sprinklers
- Pods save money on end-of-lease dilapidation costs
- Pods save money on future fit-out and upgrade costs
- Pods save money by eliminating lost productivity
- Pods save money on post-construction cleaning fees
Modular Office Pods Save Time
When you choose the construction route, you’ll have to deal with noise, mess, and restricted access, whereas a pod installation is quiet, clean, and can often be done in less than a day. These findings come from a comprehensive side-by-side analysis of construction versus modular pods by Richard Chen from Space Oasis in China. And the results are clear: pods save time everywhere!
No Planning Permission Required
CellPods and Mute Modular Pods are designed to meet strict building regulations for ventilation and fire safety. And, because they are classified as “Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment”, rather than construction, they do not require planning permission in London. That translates into huge time savings as you do not have to apply and wait for permits. Traditional builds can add up to five weeks of waiting for a verdict.
Months versus Hours
Traditional meeting room construction typically spans months, whereas modular pods take hours.
When you work with Furnify, planning and design is simple. You don’t need an architect; Furnify’s consultants will tailor each pod to your needs.
This speeds up the process significantly. While the lead time for the manufacture of a fully customised pod is seven to eight weeks, the actual installation takes less than a day by our certified team at Installify.
Zero Distractions
Building a room disrupts office operations. Installing a pod does not. With construction constantly going on in the background, projects can get delayed, and meetings can’t go ahead. Modular office pods save on all that downtime. You have zero disruptions in the office until the installation team arrives with your pod modules. It’s all LEGO from there.
Because pods are assembled instead of constructed, there is very little noise and minimal dust. Traditional construction, on the other hand, can turn your office into a mess for weeks or months. Once the construction workers finally pack up, you’re left with post-construction dust and fumes requiring professional cleaning and air-quality remediation.
The Recap: How Modular Pods Save You Time
- Pods save time on planning permissions and permits
- Pods save time on planning and construction
- Pods save time on disruption and downtime
- Pods save time on cleaning during and after construction
Modular Office Pods Are Sustainable
The environmental cost of doing business is one of the most important considerations of our time. Mariusz Sprawnik of Mute Modular says, “Sustainability is no longer optional in office design — it’s a business imperative.” Turner and Townsend highlights how 8 Bishopsgate has been snapped up by occupiers “on the basis of their strong sustainability credentials.”
Thanks to intense competition among corporates in London to secure environmentally sustainable office buildings, refurbishing with modular office pods is even more attractive.
Environmental sustainability is where modular office pods really put traditional construction to shame. The “modular” in modular office pods means that all pods, regardless of size, are constructed from the same set of building blocks. A damaged panel can be swapped out. Your modular boardroom can be reconfigured into work pods or phone booths in the future. With Mute Modular’s versatile range, you can extend a small meeting room into a collaboration hub as your company’s needs change.
Reusing modular sections makes a massive impact on the carbon footprint of these pods. There’s no demolition waste, and since CellPods and Mute Modular Pods are constructed from recyclable materials, decommissioning your pods at the end of service creates inputs for other industries, rather than landfill waste.
The Recap: How Modular Pods Are Sustainable
- Pods are reusable
- Pods are reconfigurable
- Pods are recyclable
The Smarter Way to Build Is Not to Build at All
Whether you are looking to save money, save time, or save the environment, modular office pods are the answer. Pods undercut construction costs, avoid hidden fees and dilapidation expenses, and save huge amounts of time and money by circumventing planning permissions and preventing workforce downtime.
You are investing in the future agility of your business. When you expand, relocate, or rethink your office layout, choosing modular office pods over traditional construction gives you a long-term asset instead of a drywall liability to write off.
Our team are experienced, certified installers of CellPods and Mute Modular Pods. Start a chat, give us a call, or send us a message to discuss your current needs and future vision for your business. We have a pod that will help you reach your goals.