Renting a Container or Purchasing a Container?
Storage containers for rent have become a very popular means of storing your contents. Containers are now available in all major metropolitan areas throughout the nation. Shipping containers as storage units have changed the storage industry, most people prefer the convenience of mobile storage vs standard mini storage for many reasons. Container Alliance has formed a network of small businesses that are familiar with your needs and can provide the best quality and service for you to rent a container and have it delivered to your location. This guide is designed to help you become informed about what you are facing when renting a storage container.
This container rental guide serves to help you get informed about renting or leasing mobile shipping and storage containers, the factors of storage rental prices, and more. Renting or leasing is a great cost effective way of gaining access to a portable storage container without spending thousands of dollars up front. If you plan on keeping the container for a short amount of time for temporary use, renting is the best option for you. If you are not sure how your neighbors or municipalities are going to react to your storage container, we would strongly recommend considering storage containers for rent, rather than choosing a shipping container for sale. This will give you flexibility. Businesses that would rather expense the rental over a monthly basis are better off renting the container vs purchasing the container to carry on financials as an asset. The cost of renting a container to be used for a short period of time is much more economical than purchasing your storage or shipping container.
The Container Alliance partner will also take care of delivering and picking up your unit so you do not need to worry about finding a new home for your container when you are done using it.
How Much Do Storage Containers for Rent Cost?
Standard storage rental prices, as opposed to Insulated containers, typically range in "rental costs" from around $75 per month to $295 per month depending on size or door configuration. Dry containers are by far the most popular and abundant and therefore the cheapest. These dry containers are often available with different door configurations such as double door container rentals and open side container rentals.
Modified Dry or Insulated containers to be used as modular offices are also very popular and range in storage rental prices from $125-$500 per month depending on the size and options selected.
You can also expect to pay "delivery / pickup" charges. It is very common that the Container Alliance member you find in your area will charge much less for delivery on a rental container as they would if you were purchasing the container and having it delivered to the same location.Insurance or damage waiver feesInsurance or damage waiver fees may often apply to your monthly bill as an addition to your monthly rental amount. These fees are a great way to extend the partner's insurance benefits to the customer. These insurance fees are designed such that you do not have to worry about typically nonsingular damage to your container rental while you have it, graffiti etc. If you see or hear your alliance partner mention insurance fees do not be alarmed or discouraged, these fees save you the hassle of making sure your home or business owners insurance is covering the container you are planning to rent.
Why choose a shipping container as a storage container for rent?
ISO (International Standards Organization) shipping containers are designed for ocean freight shipping. Ocean freight containers are engineered to withstand heavy loads and vigorous marine environment. Shipping containers are excellent for storage purpose because they are over engineered for ocean freight shipping. Storage / shipping containers are also available with a plentiful supply at a fraction of the price that is typically associated with engineering and building something as strong and dependable as a typical ISO shipping / storage container.
Storage containers are constructed with 12 or 14-gauge corrugated steel sides. Container frames are made of minimal 6-8-gauge steel. Containers have approximately 1" hard wood floors that are treated. Standard containers come equipped with a cargo door. Cargo doors are excellent because they seal tight from rodents and the elements. They also give you the ability to open the entire end of the container and load very large items. Roll up doors are convenient because they are light weight and easy to open. This confidence comes with obvious downsides. Roll up doors are not as secure and are not 100% water tight. As a typical garage door water tends to seep below the door. They are typically also not rodent proof. Ask the Container Alliance partner in your area about door options and specifications.
Rental Period
When renting portable storage containers, you need to take into consideration the rental period you will be billed for. The standard in equipment leasing is the typical 28 day term but there are many variations. Companies offer daily rates, weekly rates and monthly rates. Please ask your Alliance partner or competitor what the rental period means to you.
Common Sizes
20ft rental containers and 40ft rental containers are the most common sizes for rent. Some partner companies may offer 24ft rental containers that are very popular for construction usage and 45ft high cube rental containers that are popular for large format storage including warehousing and distribution. Space Requirement Don’t forget about the delivery trailer and the space required for the truck to maneuver and unload the container. As a general rule, twice the length of the container plus 10 feet in a straight line is needed for a successful delivery. Adequate width is also required but the amount of length is typically the most common issue with delivery. Too often, people wrongly assume 40ft of space can accommodate a 40ft container. A roll off is the most effective way to deliver shipping containers and ample room in a straight line is essential. Take the time to confirm shipping container sizes and shipping container dimensions, then measure the delivery space to prevent headaches on delivery day.
