Who buys
Operator field-ops, HSE, and land teams; frac, wireline, water, and trucking companies; drilling contractors; independent man camp operators.
The housing problem
- Midland and Odessa rents average around $1,500–$1,600 a month and turn over fast.
- Work is project-driven now (completions, midstream, turnarounds), so bed demand spikes without much notice.
- Units need to stand up to dust, heat, and being moved.
- Downturns happen; housing should hold resale value.
Most of the housing on a West Texas lease is still RV-based or rented. Owning crew units makes sense when you house the same headcount for more than a few months or rotate crews through the same yard. The math is simple: 25 workers at a $120 hotel rate is about $90,000 a month. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Spec notes that matter in the field
- Metal roofs and long-life siding for wind and hail
- PTAC heating and cooling per room, so one failure doesn't take down a unit
- Private bath per room, which cuts complaints and turnover
- Steel frames with hitch and axles available for redeployment
Typical unit mix
- One frac crew (20–25 people): five 4- or 5-room units
- Small camp (60–100 beds): 12–20 five-room crew units plus a laundry building
- Supervisors: 4-suite units with private kitchens
Recommended units: 16×76 5-Bed, 5-Bath Crew Unit (Shared Kitchen)4-Room, 4-Bath Crew Unit16×76 5-Room Sleeper (No Kitchen) All models
Timeline
Units already in stock ship soonest; built-to-order units wait for a production slot. Once pads and utilities are ready, setting and leveling usually takes a day or two per unit.
Rules and compliance
Bunkhouses open to employees are not exempt from TDLR industrialized building rules. Check county septic permits early; on-site sewage facility permits often take longer than the housing.
Photos
Projects we track
GW Ranch (Fort Stockton)Project Kilby and the Pecos data center campus
Where in Texas
West Texas & Permian BasinEagle Ford & South TexasEast Texas & HaynesvilleTexas Panhandle
Common questions
What is a skid house vs. a bunkhouse?
A skid house sits on steel skids and is moved by winch truck; a bunkhouse or crew unit is usually built on a steel frame and moved like a manufactured home. Both serve the same purpose. See what is a man camp.
Do you sell used man camp units?
Inventory changes. Ask for the current in-stock list, which can include new and lightly used units.
How many units fit per acre?
Roughly 8–12 crew units per acre with parking and fire spacing, depending on layout and local rules. Details here.
Can units be moved to the next lease?
Yes. Units are transportable. Budget for transport, re-set, and reconnect each move.
Related answers
- Are man camps legal in Texas? Do they need permits?
- How many crew units fit on an acre?
- What utilities does a man camp need?
From the blog
- Permian Basin housing in 2026: oilfield, data centers, and power plants share the same beds
- Skid house vs. bunkhouse vs. crew unit: what's the difference?
New to buying crew housing? Read the Texas workforce housing buyer’s guide.
Price housing for your oil & gas project
Tell us how many workers, where, and when. We come back with unit options, delivery timing, and pricing from the factory.
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