Are you currently browsing your phone for shipping container rental?
If you are, then don’t choose one immediately. Know the facts first, then make a decision once you know what the best company offers.
So, in this article, we’ll share everything you need to know before renting your shipping container, including how they work, the sizes of shipping containers, how much they cost, and the benefits.
What Are Shipping Containers?
Shipping containers are steel containers used for individual or commercial storage purposes. They are designed to be weatherproof, waterproof, dustproof, and vermin-proof, so they can store anything with minimal to no damage.
Other than their durability, storage containers are fully portable. On your request, the container will be delivered to your house and collected again when you don’t need it anymore.
Sizes of Shipping Containers
Because everyone has different storage requirements, companies designed four different container sizes to satisfy all needs. If you want to hire a container, choose the size that can adequately hold everything you own.
● 6ft Containers
This is the smallest container in the market. However, they are not really ‘small’. They are actually quite big to fit 2 bedrooms worth of goods. With 10 cubic metres maximum capacity, they can hold two mattresses, bookcases, chairs, and tables with space to spare.
● 8ft Containers
A bit bigger than the 6ft container, the 8ft container is suitable for you who need to move from a 2 bedroom house and want some more extra space after all the furniture is loaded.
The 11.5 cubic metres capacity allows you to fit more than all the furniture in your two bedrooms. That means you can still add some small to medium items, like a small drawer or cupboard.
● 10ft Containers
This container is considered a large shipping container by companies. This can hold up to 3 bedrooms worth of goods. Its capacity is 16-19 cubic metres, 5 cubic metres larger than the previous one.
5 cubic metres might not seem like much, but it is a lot. One single mattress only takes up approximately 0.5 cubic metres. So, imagine what you can fit after all your furniture is loaded in.
● 20ft Containers
The 20ft container is the biggest container for storage. It can fit all your house’s goods snugly inside. Well, how can it not, with a whopping 32-38 cubic metres capacity?
If you are moving from a 4-bedroom house, you should choose this one. That way, you can fit all your things in this container without needing extras.
The examples here are all about bedrooms and houses, but they are all just to give you a gist of what can fit inside. As for the real things to store, you can store anything, including your products.
The Shipping Containers Prices
The container prices depend on the size you choose. The smaller the container, the cheaper it is. Let’s see the price breakdown here;
- 6ft containers = $3.27 per day
- 8ft containers = $4.7 per day
- 10ft containers = $6.13 per day
- 20ft containers = $8.56 per day
Please note that these are the standard industry prices. Some companies offer higher, some lower.
Common Container Services
Aside from the good price and range of sizes, a storage company should offer at least these three container services, which are;
● Delivery and Collection
If you want to have access to your things at all times, choose this service. At your phone call, the company will deliver the container to your house, then you can put it there until you don’t need it anymore.
After you arrange the container’s collection, the company will take the container within 24-72 hours.
● Loading and Storage
This is a complete end-to-end service where the company helps you do everything. From the delivery, the loading, to the storing, they will do it for you. So, you won’t need to lift a finger.
This service also gives you space in the company’s storage facility. Therefore, you can choose this if you don’t have enough space at your premises.
● Mobile Self Storage
A combination of the two before, this service requires you to load your things yourself. The storage container will still be delivered to you, no worries.
However, instead of storing in your premises, the container will be stored in a secure storage facility.
Shipping Container Benefits
What else can you benefit from shipping containers? There are many benefits you can immediately feel, which are;
- The obvious extra space you will have.
- Can be stored outside because it is waterproof.
- Total protection of your things with 24/7 surveillance on the storage facility.
- No worries about damage during transit because of the tie-down railings inside the container. Furniture is tied to the railing to prevent them from bumping into each other.
- The container is only loaded and unloaded once to minimise damage.
- You can rent it for as long as you like because there is no fixed period.
- Everything is insured so if damages do happen, you are all covered.
Keep These in Mind Before Choosing a Company
After we got over all the others above, you still need to keep in mind that not all companies offer good services. Hence, note these characteristics to find the best company.
A good company will;
- Allow you to rent the unit for however long you need.
- Give you insurance so you will be covered if damage happens.
- Offer you a range of sizes and prices, because there is no one size fits all in the storage industry.
- Willingly tell you the dimensions and capacity of the container on the first phone call.
- Have a range of services to choose from.
- Offer you complementary protection such as packing paper, bubble wrap, furniture blankets, and boxes.
Make sure that the company you’re eyeing has all these characteristics. That way, you will get your money’s worth.
Conclusion
Renting a shipping container is easy, but choosing the right one is a complicated one. However, if you keep in mind what you should consider, you can get the best choice out of all.
The first thing you need to consider is the size of the container. Choose the best size that can fit all of your belongings. Then, consider the prices. Pick a company that doesn’t stray too far from the standard prices we provided above.
After that, consider the benefits that you will get from hiring a container. If a company can give you all those benefits, then it is the right choice. Remember to ask about contracts and insurance, as well.
Now, you are ready to hire your first shipping container. Hope this guide helps you!
