BaseBox FAQ

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WHAT'S INCLUDED STANDARD

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What comes standard on every BaseBox? Every BaseBox ships complete. Standard on all units:

• USB outlets built in — all outlets include built-in USB charging ports

• Shore power ready — 30-amp RV-style exterior inlet (50-amp on BaseBox BL). Works with shore power, generator, or solar — all use the same plug

• Smoke detector — installed and ready on all units

• Fire extinguisher — included with every unit

• Deadbolt + keyed handle lock — standard door hardware on all units

• Auger-style ground anchors — to secure the unit to your site

• Spreader bar and install hardware — everything needed for setup

• Touch-up paint — color-matched to your frame

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Per-model specifics:

• BaseBox 72: 2 double outlets (USB built in), 1 interior LED overhead light

• BaseBox 152: 3 double outlets (USB built in), 2 interior LED overhead lights

• BaseBox BL: Propane or natural gas tankless water heater included standard. CO detector included standard.

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Do the outlets include USB charging? Yes. All BaseBox outlets have built-in USB ports — no need for adapters or separate charging blocks.

• BaseBox 72: 2 double outlets

• BaseBox 152: 3 double outlets

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Is there a smoke detector and fire extinguisher included? Yes — both a smoke detector and fire extinguisher are included standard on every BaseBox.

BaseBox 72 and 152 are all-electric structures with no gas appliances, so a carbon monoxide (CO) detector is not required. CO is only produced by combustion-based appliances.

The BaseBox BL includes a propane or natural gas tankless water heater, so a CO detector is included standard on all BL units.

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Does the door come with a lock? Yes. Every BaseBox comes with a keyed handle lock and deadbolt as standard door hardware — no upgrade needed.

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Can I switch between shore power, generator, and solar without rewiring? Yes. All three power options use the same exterior inlet — a standard 30-amp RV-style plug on BaseBox 72 and 152, and 50-amp on the BaseBox BL. You can connect shore power, a generator, or our solar package interchangeably without any rewiring.

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SIZE & SPECS

What sizes does BaseBox come in? BaseBox comes in two sizes:

• BaseBox 72: 66.44 sq ft interior / 8×9 ft exterior

• BaseBox 152: 143.11 sq ft interior / 8×19 ft exterior

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Both have an 8-foot interior ceiling height.

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What is the insulation type and R-value? All walls, floor, and ceiling are insulated with 2 inches of mineral wool, providing an R-16 rating. Mineral wool is non-combustible, moisture-resistant, and performs well across a wide temperature range.

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What are the windows like? Double-pane glass with aluminum frames, 930mm × 930mm (approximately 36.6" × 36.6"), casement style. This qualifies as an egress-size window. Frame color is available in black or white.

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What is the door like? Standard height with a 34-inch wide door — wider than a typical residential door, making it easier to move furniture or equipment in and out. Every unit comes with a keyed handle lock and deadbolt as standard.

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What is the flooring made of? The floor has a cement board base layer topped with SPC (Stone Polymer Composite) flooring — waterproof, highly durable, and available in 4 wood-look color options.

 

What is the floor load capacity? Approximately 40 lbs per square foot of uniformly distributed load.

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What is the roof like? BaseBox comes with a mono-slope roof:

• 1:12 pitch with a 2-foot front overhang

• Rain gutters are easy to add if you want to catch or divert water runoff

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What are the interior walls like? Interior walls are steel, painted white. They can be repainted if desired.

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How much does a BaseBox weigh?

• BaseBox 72: approximately 2,000 lbs

• BaseBox 152: approximately 3,000 lbs

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SITE PREP & FOUNDATION

What kind of surface does a BaseBox need? Any flat, stable surface works — existing concrete pad, gravel, compacted ground, or a poured foundation. We do not recommend placing it directly on bare dirt. If needed, pressure-treated lumber can be used to raise the unit slightly and maintain clearance between the floor and the ground.

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Do I need a permanent foundation? No. A BaseBox does not require a permanent foundation, which also means it can be relocated if your needs change.

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How much clearance do I need around the unit? Allow enough space for the door to open fully (34" swing) and adequate ventilation clearance on all sides. If adding a mini split, the outdoor condenser unit will need its own clear space nearby.

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POWER

What are my power options? All BaseBox units come with a standard 30-amp RV-style exterior inlet (50-amp on BaseBox BL). All three power options use the same inlet — no rewiring needed to switch between them.

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Shore Power: Connect to your existing home or building using a standard 30-amp RV plug. You will likely need a licensed electrician to install a 30-amp circuit and outlet at your site.

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Generator: Any 30-amp generator with an RV-style output plugs directly into the exterior inlet. No modifications needed.

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Solar ($2,175 add-on): Our solar array and battery package plugs into the same inlet.

• Rated Power: 3,600W

• Peak Power: 4,500W

• Capacity: 3,072Wh

• Battery Type: LiFePO4 lithium

• Output: 100V–120V Pure Sine Wave

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Does it have plumbing or running water? The BaseBox 72 and 152 do not include plumbing or water hookups — they are electrical-only structures.

The BaseBox BL includes a full ADA bathroom, laundry, and a propane or natural gas tankless water heater as standard. Gas connection is required at the site.

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How long will the solar battery power the HVAC? On a full charge, the battery will power the HVAC system for 4–10 hours depending on outside temperature and how hard the system is working. During daylight hours, the solar panels recharge the battery as it runs — so in normal daytime conditions the system essentially sustains itself while the sun is up.

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HVAC

Does the BaseBox come with heating and cooling? HVAC is optional. We offer two mini split sizes:

6,000 BTU — $941 (Standard): Ideal for standard office, studio, or living use. Right-sized for the BaseBox 72 and 152 in most climates.

9,000 BTU — $1,269 (High-Demand): Recommended for pop-up or cooling station deployments, extreme heat locations, or high-occupancy use.

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Both options:

• Cooling ambient range: 5°F – 122°F

• Heating ambient range: 5°F – 86°F

• SEER: 21.5

• COP: 2.93

• Outdoor noise: 54 dB(A)

• Indoor noise (Hi/Mi/Lo): 36 / 31 / 22 dB(A)

• Min. circuit ampacity: 20A

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What if my climate gets colder than 5°F? Our mini splits are rated down to 5°F. If you're in a region that regularly drops below that, we recommend sourcing a cold-climate mini split rated for lower temperatures — some units are rated to -22°F. Your local HVAC dealer can advise.

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Can I use my own HVAC system instead? Yes. The BaseBox is pre-wired for a mini split on a 20-amp max circuit. Any licensed HVAC technician can install a compatible third-party unit.

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Do I need a carbon monoxide detector? BaseBox 72 and 152: No CO detector needed. Both are all-electric with no gas appliances.

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BaseBox BL: The BL includes a propane or natural gas tankless water heater, so a CO detector is included standard on all BL units.

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CUSTOMIZATION

Can I choose the color?

• Frame: Black or white

• Exterior steel panels: Over 20 color options — use the BaseBox Builder to preview

• Window frames: Black or white

• Interior SPC flooring: 4 wood-look color options

• Interior walls: White steel — paintable

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Can I paint the exterior or interior after delivery? Yes. Both interior and exterior surfaces can be painted. Use an appropriate metal primer and paint for best results on exterior steel surfaces.

 

SHIPPING & LEAD TIME

How long does shipping take?

• In-stock configurations: Ships immediately

• Custom orders (custom color or specific configurations): 2.5–3 months to delivery

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How does it ship? The BaseBox ships flat — just 12 inches tall — which significantly reduces freight costs compared to shipping a fully assembled structure.

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Is there a pre-assembled shipping option? Yes. We can assemble the unit before shipping so that on-site setup is minimal — just make your electrical connection or connect the solar array/battery and you're done. This increases shipping costs but eliminates on-site assembly time and labor. Contact us for a quote.

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SETUP & INSTALLATION

How does setup work? Think of it like unfolding a cardboard box into shape. The BaseBox ships flat on hinges — just 12 inches tall — with the walls folded down. There are no loose panels to keep track of. Setup involves unfolding the walls up into position and securing them, then lifting the roof frame on top and screwing in the roof panels. A drill is required for roof panel installation.

 

What equipment do I need for setup? You have several options:

• 2 material lifts (450–600 lb panel lifts, one at each end)

• 2 farm jacks — a lower-cost manual option

• Rental forklift or telehandler — fastest method, approximately 30 minutes total

• Crane service — if other equipment is not accessible

Note: Regardless of assembly method, a forklift or telehandler is needed to place the unit in its final location on site.

 

How long does setup take?

• With a forklift or telehandler: Approximately 30 minutes

• By hand: Requires 4–6 people — plan for a few hours. Farm jacks are not included but available at most farm and hardware stores.

 

What is included in the install kit? Every BaseBox ships with:

• Spreader bar for standing up the unit

• Security bit for the carriage bolt nuts

• Touch-up spray paint matching your frame color

• Outlets, switches, and overhead lights (quantity per model)

• Auger-style ground anchors to secure the unit to the site

Note: You will need to source your own 3-prong 30-amp extension cord to connect to shore power or a generator.

 

Do I need to do any electrical work? The BaseBox is pre-wired. You will need to connect the included wiring to the outlets, switches, and overhead lights. If you are comfortable with basic electrical connections, you can do it yourself. If you prefer a professional, an electrician can complete the work in approximately 1–2 hours.

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PERMITS

Do I need a permit? Permit requirements vary by state, county, and city. Use the permit lookup tool on this page to get a starting point based on your location. Requirements can differ even within the same city, so we strongly recommend contacting your local building or zoning department to confirm before purchasing.

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PAYMENT & ORDERS

When is payment due? Payment in full is due at the time of order.

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What is your cancellation and refund policy?

• In-stock orders: You may cancel and receive a full refund within 48 hours of placing your order.

• Custom or special orders: All sales are final. No refunds on custom or special orders.

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WARRANTY

What is the warranty? BaseBox units carry a 1-year warranty covering manufacturing defects. At our discretion, we will repair or replace any unit or component that qualifies under the warranty. We cover shipping costs if the item needs to be returned or replaced.

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If you purchase the optional HVAC mini split or solar package, those carry their own separate manufacturer warranties.