What is the most cost-effective accommodation option for workers during the construction period?
Traditionally, various options have been used for worker accommodation: site cabins, local rental apartments, full-board lodgings, or hotels. Each option has its own advantages and challenges. The benefit of site cabins is their immediate proximity to the workplace, but they often provide modest facilities and can diminish worker endurance over time.
Short-term rental apartments can be an effective solution for very long projects, but their availability is often poor, and they come with many hidden costs such as security deposits, electricity contracts, and furnishing. Hotels, on the other hand, offer convenience, but traditional hotels can be expensive and include services that business travelers don’t benefit from.
A city-center self-service hotel is nowadays often the most optimal solution, as it combines affordability, location, and sufficient comfort. When all essential services are within walking distance and commuting to the worksite is effortless, the worker’s well-being also improves significantly.
What factors affect the total cost of work accommodation?
The true costs of work accommodation comprise a much broader picture than just the room rate. A cost-effective accommodation solution must consider all hidden expenses that impact the final price and work productivity.
Key factors to consider include:
- Nightly accommodation rate and potential additional service fees
- Location relative to the worksite and daily travel costs
- Time spent commuting (transfers during working hours)
- Dining options and associated costs
- Accommodation flexibility (e.g., check-in and contract changes)
- Quality of workers’ rest and its impact on work efficiency
From an employer’s perspective, cheaper accommodation located further away can actually be more expensive when considering work-time transfers and potential efficiency losses due to fatigue. If the commute takes an hour more per day, it means a waste equivalent to an entire workday during the week!
Food costs can also become a significant expense. Accommodation with facilities to prepare or heat up one’s own meals typically saves hundreds of euros per month per employee compared to relying solely on restaurant dining.
How does location affect worker efficiency and endurance?
The location of accommodation is a surprisingly significant factor for worker well-being and efficiency. A central location near city services offers considerable advantages in long-term work accommodation.
When accommodation is located within good transportation connections to the worksite, the worker saves valuable time and energy. A long and stressful commute depletes the worker’s resources even before the workday begins. A tired worker is less efficient and more prone to workplace accidents, which is a risk for both the employee and the employer.
Centrally located accommodation also offers better leisure opportunities. When shops, restaurants, and recreational facilities are within walking distance, it’s easier for workers to relax and recover after the workday. This directly reflects on the next day’s work performance and general work motivation, especially during longer work assignments.
Additionally, downtown services enable a more flexible lifestyle: workers can easily run errands, go shopping, or enjoy more diverse dining options. These small everyday conveniences become even more important when the project continues for weeks or months.
How do flexible check-in practices facilitate work accommodation?
Construction site schedules are notoriously challenging and can change at short notice. Flexible check-in practices are therefore particularly important in worker accommodation.
Traditional hotel reception’s limited opening hours often cause headaches for construction sites where days extend or change unexpectedly. When a project runs late or a worker needs to arrive late in the evening, it’s important to be able to access accommodation regardless of the time.
Self-service accommodation, where check-in takes place digitally without a physical reception, offers significant advantages for work accommodation. Employees can arrive when it suits them, without the stress of reception closing times. This also eliminates the need for extra calls and arrangements if schedules change.
Keyless entry with a door code or mobile application also simplifies practical arrangements at the worksite. There’s no need to worry about distributing or losing keys, and switching accommodation between different workers is simpler. This flexibility saves time and nerves for both management and workers in the midst of a busy workday.
What amenities does a business traveler really need for long-term accommodation?
In long-term work accommodation, the most important factors are good sleep and practical basic amenities. Many hotel services provide no benefit to business travelers, yet they still pay for them in the room rate.
The most essential comforts for a worker are:
- A quality bed that ensures proper sleep
- A functional bathroom with a private shower
- A mini-fridge, microwave, and kettle for storing and heating one’s own food
- Reliable internet connection
- A peaceful environment
In contrast, traditional hotel offerings such as breakfasts, minibars, room service, or gyms are often services that business travelers barely use, yet they increase the accommodation price. Especially regarding breakfast, construction site schedules are often such that workers are already at the site before hotel breakfast begins.
Practical room amenities enable self-sufficient and affordable dining solutions. This is particularly important in longer stays, as breaking the cycle of continuous restaurant dining saves both the employee’s and employer’s wallet considerably.
Omena – a cost-effective solution for employee accommodation
Omena Hotels offer an ideal solution for construction site accommodation. All our hotels are located in central areas of city centers, allowing workers to easily commute to work sites and enjoy city services during their free time.
Thanks to our self-service concept, you can arrive anytime without queuing at reception. Check-in happens conveniently with a door code sent on the day of arrival. This flexible arrival is especially handy for construction sites where schedules often extend or change.
Each of our rooms is equipped with domestic quality beds, ensuring workers get proper sleep and the best possible recovery after the workday. Our rooms have everything necessary for longer-term accommodation: a mini-fridge, microwave, and kettle for storing and heating your own food.
For long-term accommodation (minimum of 10 nights), we offer special pricing for companies. The room price includes everything necessary: water, electricity, WiFi, and cleaning every five days. Our rooms are also suitable for sharing between multiple workers, as we offer rooms for up to three or four people.
Omena Hotel offers affordable accommodation in several of Finland’s largest cities. In addition to Helsinki, Tampere, and Turku, you can stay cheaply at a hotel elsewhere in Finland: Omena Hotel serves travelers also in Jyväskylä, Pori and Vaasa, Joensuu and Hanko.
Need cost-effective and flexible accommodation for your employees? Request a quote for long-term accommodation from our website and book affordable nights for your workers!
