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Storage Container Buyer's Guide
Does your office need weatherproof, secure storage for business or personal files? Does your construction site need a safe place to stow materials? Whatever kind of storage you need, chances are portable storage containers can meet your storage needs.
Not only are they weather proof and durable, but also they are much less expensive than building a new addition to your office building or business site and are highly mobile. Adaptable to a number of uses, mobile shipping containers may be just the storage solution that your business needs. Read on to find the answers to important storage container questions…
What is a storage container?
A storage container, sometimes called a connex box or shipping container, is usually a shipping container made of corrugated steel that is used for storing various belongings. Storage containers can be anything from the most basic of structures, without insulation, side-doors, or foundations, to fully connected short-term offices, complete with internet, HVAC, and lighting. It is up to you to decide what additional features you want for your connex box based on your needs.
What kind of features can I get with shipping containers?
- Security. An alarm system can provide additional security to belongings stored in a storage container. If you only need to secure a limited number of smaller things, think about installing a lockbox. Usually fireproof and made of steel, these boxes are perfect for securing a limited number of important things.
- Paint. While storage containers come standard in neutral, industrial colors like grey or beige, it may be a good idea to paint a shipping container that is going to be highly visible, or at least emblazon it with your company’s logo. Many storage container dealers offer a variety of colors or custom paint jobs to “spruce up” a container’s exterior—so be sure to ask your storage container dealer what sort of paint options the offer.
- Extra doors. Also known as man doors or side doors, these are doors that are cut in the middle of the connex box, allowing people to enter from the middle of the storage container in addition to entrances at the ends. These doors can also provide a walkway between shipping containers.
- Ventilation. Both louvered vents and wind turbines allow air to flow into the storage container. If you are storing items in a humid environment, it is recommended that you use one or both of these ventilation items
- Shelves. Adjustable shelves can accommodate a wide range of items and can be used to help organize your storage container.
- Ramps. These angled walkways can make transporting materials to and from the shipping containers much easier, as they allow you to wheel handcarts and dollies into the units.
- Partitions. These can be used to separate the connex boxes into compartments for different uses. For example, you could use one section for storage, and another for office space, etc.
- Refrigeration. If you need to store items in a cold environment to keep them from perishing, storage containers can be turned into electronic refrigerators.
- Insulation. If you are going to be using the space as an office, or if you are storing sensitive items, you may want to consider the option of additional insulation, as it keeps the temperature more constant and pleasant.
- HVAC. This provides “climate control” for your storage container, and is a strong suggestion if you are going to be using your storage container as an office. However, if you will need this office for more than a few weeks, you might be better off with a mobile office trailer.
What do I need to know about leasing, purchasing or renting a connex box?
When you know that you would like a portable shipping container, you can choose to rent, lease, or purchase your storage containers.
- Purchasing. If you are going to use the shipping container for a number of years, and you can afford the initial expense, purchasing a storage container is usually the best option.And, because their value depreciates slowly, you can resell them with minimal loss. If only cars were like that, right?
- Leasing. Also know as lease-to-own or rent-to-own, leasing can be a good option when you want a long-term storage solution but don’t have the cash up front to purchase. Leasing allows you to distribute the cost of ownership over a longer period of time. However, due to the interest accrued, it will be more expensive in the long run than purchasing your mobile connex box.
- Renting. If you need your storage container for a matter of days or weeks, then renting is by far the most cost-effective storage container option. If you choose to rent your shipping container for a short period of time, you may be able to deduct the rental fees from your taxes, too! However, if you keep your connex box for longer than you expect, the rental fees can pile up, so do try to assess your needs accurately at the beginning.
Remember, before making any serious financial decisions, talk to your accountant, or other financial professional if you have questions.