Over the past century containers have become the most common way to transport goods either by train, sea and land transport. A container is a metallic box designed to be durable, built to with stand the moisture and salt around the port for a long period of time without any damage coming to the goods packed in it. Containers were primarily built for only transportation of cargo but nowadays businesses and individuals have been re-using these containers in new and innovative ways like:

  • Using container as storage units.
  • Converting them into homes.
  • Converting containers into shops, offices or restaurants among other things.

Shipping containers are easily re-usable and can easily be modified to your unique requirements.

45ft Shipping Container New Zealand

So Should you Buy or Hire?

For anyone who is in search of a container there will always be the dilemma question of to buy or just hire a container? Deciding whether to hire or buy a container could save you a lot of money!

We have identified three main factors to consider when considering between whether to buy or hire a shipping container:

  • The duration of the container usage needed.
  • The purpose of the container usage.
  • Your geographical location.

Taking into consideration to these two major factors, we have analyses and compiled the different situation that will easily help you easily decide between hiring and buying a container.

Benefits of Buying a Shipping Container

  • Need to make major modifications – if you need to make change to the structural condition of the container. Most companies that lease their containers for hire barely allow for you to make any major modification to the container. In this case is advisable for you to buy a container/.
  • Expectation of long term use of the container – whether you are a business or an individual who expects to use the container for a long term duration of time, it is only logical for you to buy a container rather that hire one. The cost of hiring a container is guaranteed to accumulatively add up and surpass the cost of the container over a several years.
  • When building permanent container structures – if you are looking to reshape containers for construction of shops, restaurants, offices or even homes, then you will be required to purchase a container.
  • Constant cargo transportation needs- this mostly applies to businesses that are constantly shipping large quantity cargo frequently. It would be financially sound for you to buy a container.
  • High risk of damage – if you are going to use the container in a matter which there is a high chance that the container will be damaged. It is advisable for you to just buy a container to avoid any conflict with the container owner.
  • For investment – buy a container can be a good investment, you could lease it out for hire and eventually regain all the money you spent to buy the container and begin to make profit on the container.
  • Save on construction cost – containers are cost effective way to structures because they durable and environment friendly. Using containers in construction will greatly save you time in building.
  • Buying a container will save you from the inconvenience of hiring a container which can be a long a tedious process because getting the right container with zero damage and that meet your exact requirements. For this reason we advise
  • A container is easy to secure with the right security modifications. Buying a cargo container can easy provide you with a cheap secure storage unit that when locked properly is impenetrable.

Benefits of Hiring a Shipping Container

  • Short term storage needs – you can hire a container if you need to temporary store, to store your items when relocating or even when renovation are been made to your office or home.
  • Temporary extra storage – whether it is a business or an individual who needs to store items for a short period of time, then hiring a container would be a good idea. Containers provide enough space and guarantee the items are enclosed in a safe dry place.
  • Ease of transport – when you need to transport a number of items from one place to another hiring a container maybe a good option. A container will provide enough room for all items to be stored and transported easily by train, sea and on land.
  • No maintain ace cost – hiring a container will save you from the liability of having to pay for maintain or repair of the container once used. The company that leases the container will have to incur the cost of repairing the container to ensure it is good enough condition to let out again.
  • Saves you money – buying a container is not a cost most businesses or individuals can easily afford. Through hiring a container the business or the individual is able to save more money while they hire a container to serve the purpose intended.
  • Hiring guarantees that you don’t need to worry about disposing the container after it has served its purpose. Hiring become a better option when because once the container has served its required purpose it is sent back to the owner.
  • Convenience – when hiring a container you are provided with a wide range of options that helps you choose the one container that adequately meets your needs. Plus hiring will save you from having to incur the cost of modifying the container to meet your needs, you just have to hire a container with the modification you need.
  • Hiring a container will allow you easily change containers till you get the right container for your unique needs. You can change the container as much as you like when hiring. This will allow you to identify the best possible container for you.
  • Flexibility – hiring a container will provide you with option of hiring different sizes container. This would ensure to utilize the space to the maximum.

These are but a few factors we identified to be important to help you decide between buying a container versus hiring one. Containers are easily available anywhere in the world. This has greatly helped people to think new and amazing ways to use the containers – if you think of one, we would love to hear from you!