Considering purchasing a shipping container?
Use these “EZ” tips to find the best container for your needs.
Phase I: Doing your research.
When shopping for your container you need to have a few facts in order first.
What size of container do I really need?
Determine what size of a container you need for your situation. Perhaps a 20’ would do, but in the next year it would not suffice. Then, a larger container might be in order, either up front or when your purchased 20’ was no longer sufficient.
Ascertain what your short-medium term (next year-five year) needs will be.
Where to locate your container?
Where will I put the container? Obviously, this sounds simple, but this could be a decision of in the driveway, at the office or even in the side yard-or back yard. Your city or county may have regulations about any “additional structures” added to your property.
Please check with your municipalities (Property and Code divisions) and see what you might need to do before adding a container to your property-esp. in a driveway.
At business locations, a landlord may allow the container, but a new landlord may not allow it. Know the environment that the container will be placed into.
What condition to purchase, new or used?
New or pre-owned? Do you buy a new container or a pre-owned one? The answer to that can be complex but it is really simple when you look at how long you will be using the container. If you are looking for the container to be storage, office or living solution for 5 years or longer, a new container would be best. The saving factor: If you save less than 25% by going used, unless the unit is in excellent condition, than the savings is not worth the wear and tear the unit has taken. Go with a new unit if the saving of buying used in less than 25% vs the cost of buying new.
You have done the research above and you now need to know what is next.
The next step is to plan when you will make your purchase. Will it be in a month, two months or as soon as possible. Whatever the time period there is other work to do. These steps include the following:
How would you like to pay for your container?
If financing is an option look closely into it.
Study any terms for approved financing and decide if these terms of payment can fit into your budget.
One key to this can be a partial financing option to where you get approved for financing and then pay a large chunk of the financing off with money you were going to use towards the purchase. This can be a good option if you did not have all the funds to pay for the container up front and want to tame the balance due from the very beginning.
You might even just see if you can simply pay from your cash on hand for the purchase and get partial financing for the rest. Many financing options allow full repayment within 3-6 months with little (if any) interest due.
Preparing your ground for delivery
Containers may be made of steel but their floors are 1 1/8” high quality plywood. In order to keep this plywood from rotting out, it is paramount to keep the container from receiving excess moisture from beneath. This can be done two ways:
- Put the container up on 4X4 or 6X6 board. It is recommended to use 6X6 if available.
Two 8’ long strips. On strip will go at the far end of the area reserved for the container. The rear columns of the container will rest on this 6X6. The front columns will rest on the other 6X6. 3’ thick cornerstones can be used as well.Make sure they are high quality and have a large footprint of at least 10X10. On at each corner of the container when it is delivered. Cinder blocks are NOT recommended because they can crack and wear out over time.
- Preparing your ground with a 2-3 inch thick, tightly packed layer of gravel.If you go this route, make sure your ground is prepared to the side of the container plus 2 feet extra in width and 4’ extra in length if possible. The minimum your layer of gravel should be in 2 inches thick and tightly packed. A 3 inch layer is recommended.
The ground should be as close to level as is practical. Make sure the ground is dry and solid and any path leading up to it is solid and dry as well. The objective here is to provide that the delivery vehicle can deliver without damage to the vehicle or without getting stuck in any mud. Remember, the vehicle weighs at least 5,000 lbs plus 4,500-12,500 lbs depending on the size of your container.
Delivery space and obstructions
Many people think they can simply have 40 feet clear for a 20 foot container. They do not realize that more space than that is required. Refer to the table below to show you the minimum amount of space-in a straight line- that is needed for delivery for ach container size. Your delivery area needs to be free of obstructions to the vehicle so it can easily get to the area and deliver your container. This includes, trash cans, boxes, walls or other obstructions such as hedges or trees. It is incumbent upon you to make sure the truck can safely reach the delivery location make the delivery and safely exit. A minimum of 10’ width clearance is needed for all trucks to drive through when making the delivery.
Container Size
|
Truck Length
|
Container Length
|
Total Length
|
Height Required |
20’ std or 20’ HC |
45 feet |
20 feet |
65 feet |
15 feet |
40’ std or 40’ HC |
45 feet |
80 |
125 |
15 |
45’ |
45 |
90 |
135 |
15 |