Hiring a shipping container can be a cost efficient means of utilising a new or used shipping container. You might only need the container for a few months at a time or perhaps you need a container for short or long term storage but don’t want to spend capital on an outright purchase.
If you’re considering hiring shipping container in Brisbane, let’s look at what you need to know before you do.
1. Know your reasons for hiring a shipping container
The first thing you will need to consider are your reasons for hiring one. Do you need it as a one-off, perhaps for document storage or as refrigerator space? Do you want a shipping container as a temporary office for a music festival or building site? Or perhaps you need a pest and weatherproof container but don’t wish to buy one for tax or cost reasons?
When you figure out exactly why you want to hire a shipping container in Brisbane, you can now consider the next questions:
- How long will you need it for?
- What’s your budget?
- What type of container do you need?
Now, let’s look at these three issues in more detail.
2. Know your hire duration
If you’re transporting goods on a one way trip interstate then it can be fairly easy to work out how long you will need the shipping container for – calculate the time to load it, transport time both out and back and unloading time.
In this case you should be prepared for unforeseen delays that you will need to factor in. Unlike international travel this can be a few days here and there.
Another example where you should have a very good idea for the length of the hire period will be where you are using a container at an event such as a music festival or PR event. These are fixed periods and you should have a very good idea as to how long you’ll need it. The same goes for storage of goods or documents.
If you are using the container for a home removal you’ll need to factor in how long it will take to pack and unpack it.
If you need a shipping container for a very long time – perhaps a year or more – then it may make more financial sense to buy a new or used container.
3. Know your budget
Once you know how long you need it for, you can look at your budget for the hire. If it is being used for longer distance transportation then it might be an idea to add 10% to the fee we quote you just to be on the safe side. The fewer variables on its use, such as for temporary storage, the less likely it will run over budget.
4. Know what type of shipping container you need
When considering what type of container you need to hire, here are the seven types of shipping container that you can choose from at Gateway Containers:
1. General Purpose Containers
These are standard shipping containers and the type that are most commonly hired. They have doors that open on one end, are 8ft wide and 8.6ft high, and come in either 10ft, 20ft or 40ft sizes.
2. Refrigerated Containers
Also called reefer containers, they come in 20ft and 40ft sizes only, and have special ventilation ducts and a refrigeration unit on them to maintain temperatures between -30C and +30C. They are used for transporting or storing perishable goods, such as food or medication.
3. Open Top Containers
Coming in either 20ft or 40ft sizes, these open tops are standard size containers with either a tarpaulin or solid roof, and are ideal for loading oversize goods from above.
4. Side Opening Shipping Container
Side opening containers have double doors on the side that open for side loading, perhaps for larger items that you can’t fit through the end doors.
5. High Cube Shipping Containers
High cubes are 20ft or 40ft in length and are 9.5ft high. It should be noted that they can’t take a greater cargo weight than their standard equivalents so are better for bulky goods.
6. Flat Rack Containers
Flat rack containers are found in 20ft or 40ft and don’t have doors, a ceiling or a roof and are used for shipping oversized and awkward items. They can be hired fixed in place at either end, with ends collapsed.
7. Insulated Containers
Insulated containers are lined with stainless steel and fitted with flooring. They are used to protect sensitive goods from high and low temperatures, for short or long term storage.
Ready to hire a shipping container in Brisbane?
Now you have this information on hand, you should be ready to make some calculations before contacting the Gateway Containers sales team to discuss your short or long term hiring needs!
