If you need living quarters quick, check out Global Portable Buildings, Inc. The Santa Rosa, California, company turns steel shipping containers into temporary or even permanent housing.

According to vice president Sean Taylor, the buildings range in size from 8 by 20-ft. to 8 by 40 feet.

"Their modular design also makes it possible to connect as many of the 8 by 40 units together as needed," Taylor says.

Global Portable Buildings are ideal for such things as bunk houses, workshops, tack rooms, shower and toilet units, offices, and storage spaces, just to name a few.

The company offers basic features such as large, 5 mm-thick windows with screens, blinds, removable metal window shutters, fully finished rigid 2-in. insulated walls and ceilings, finished linoleum floor, a utility room, a complete 110/220-volt electrical system with fluorescent light fixtures, wall plug receptacles, ventilation fan with on/off switch, and a telephone connection with standard modular hookup.

The buildings can be shipped to any location.