There are a few things to look for when hiring a container – the first thing to consider is what the container will be used for. Will it be for long or short term storage, moving or relocating, building, or shipping overseas? All of these categories will give you more options on what you should be looking for in a container, and should definitely be considered when your setting out your budget too. Also make sure you deal with a professional company when hiring a shipping container – it will make the hire easy! Specialized advice, quality and service will guarantee you a superior product which is suited to your actual needs, in your budget and delivered in a timely cost effective manner.

Deciding What to Hire

Research which company you will use for your hire needs – as the stock of each company can differ. Before doing this research, it is a good idea to decide what type of container you need. Are you storing household furniture, or hazardous materials?
Containers measuring 6m (20ft) and 12m (40ft), are the most commonly used in the shipping industry and are therefore the most readily available. Smaller sizes such as 10ft containers are usually cut down from larger containers and are more expensive due to the labour involved.

Check your Ground

As with buying a container, you need to make sure that your shipping container will be positioned on level ground, ideally on a concrete surface. If you do not have a concrete surface, wooden sleepers or concrete blocks can be used. If the shipping container is not kept on a level surface, you may encounter issues when trying to open and close the doors, particularly when the container is loaded.

Delivery

Ensure you consider what sort of access there is to the site when arranging delivery of your shipping container. It would be advisable to notify the company you are hiring or purchasing from of any obstructions such as overhanging trees or power lines so that they may plan their delivery in the safest manner possible. You should also have the site prepared for the shipping container’s delivery prior to its arrival. Plan where you will need it placed for easy loading and unloading, and make sure there is ample room for the truck. There are generally several types of trucks available for shipping container delivery, so you should discuss which truck is best for the job with the company supplying your shipping container.

Insurance

Always speak to your shipping container provider about your insurance obligations when hiring or leasing a shipping container. More often than not you will need to arrange insurance against all risks and you will be responsible for any stock or goods stored or shipped in the container. Do your homework and be aware of your responsibilities under your agreement.

Check for Damage

When you take delivery of your shipping container you should always check for damage. Examine the walls, roof and floor from the inside. In the daylight, sunlight will filter through any holes there might be. There shouldn’t be any soft spots in the flooring so make sure you check the floor as well before the container is unloaded.