How To Buy A Shipping Container

Countless tons of freight are shipped across the world every day, and sturdy shipping containers are needed to hold all of that cargo. But shipping containers are not only used for cargo transport. With a few creative adjustments, you can use shipping containers as a storage space, a temporary office, or even a low-cost home. Since so many shipping containers are used for freight hauling, you can find an abundance of new and used cargo containers on the open market. But before you buy a one of these containers for your project of choice, you need to know a few simple things about how to buy a shipping container.

First, you should decide whether you would like to buy a new or a used shipping container. New containers are guaranteed to be problem-free and clean, but may cost a little extra. Used shipping containers can be purchased for about thirty to fifty percent less than new containers, but may have a little wear and tear due to their previous use. If container integrity is crucial to you, and you don't want to make any repairs to bring your container up to code, you should definitely purchase a new container. The lack of hassles will make up for the markup in price. However, if you are on a budget, or intend on making some repairs or improvements to your shipping container, a used shipping container is the way to go. You can save quite a bit of money this way, and if you are going to customize and repair the container anyway, you might as well purchase a used container even if it has a few dings in it. However, you will need to inspect your used shipping container for flaws like rust spots, cracks, and holes before you use it. Problems like this could result in damage to the items stored inside, or cause structural damage later on if you intend on using it for a home or office building.

The next thing you will need to consider is the dimensions of your shipping container. Shipping containers come in a variety of ISO (International Shipping Organization) sizes. Cargo containers are almost always 8 feet wide and 8.5 feet tall, but they come in varying lengths. Common lengths include 10 feet, 20 feet, and 40 feet. Think about the kind of project you will need the container for, and you can figure out what size you will need. A 10' long container is about 80 square feet, so it's good for backyard storage or a small temporary building like a ticket booth. Twenty foot long containers provide 160 square feet of space, so they are good for bigger storage jobs for small businesses, and temporary offices. A 40' long container provides the most space of all - 320 square feet. These containers are best for shipping container homes and industrial storage jobs. You can even customize and weld together shipping containers for even larger building projects.

Lastly, you will need to consider what options you need in your shipping container. Due to the variety of cargo carried by these containers, many options are available. You can purchase a shipping container that is wired for electricity, or refrigerated through an HVAC system. If you need easy access to your container, you might consider getting a container with doors at both ends, or a side door. For containers intended for storage, see if you can find a shipping container that has shelving or partitions pre-installed. Also, make sure that your shipping container has sturdy cam locks on all doors to keep your stored items safe.

There are many reputable retailers online that sell shipping containers. Do your research, and it will be easy to find a shipping container that suits your needs. If possible, see if you can inspect your shipping container beforehand to examine it for damage. This is especially important if you are buying a used shipping container. Also, take into account any delivery costs that you might incur after purchase. You may get a great deal on the container itself, but shipping costs could substantially increase your total purchase. Due to the common use of shipping containers, there are enough on the market to make them very affordable. Just use these simple tips, and you can get a great deal on a shipping container to solve your storage or building needs.