The advantages of shipping containers extend beyond transportation. From becoming affordable storage units to dedicated office spaces and pop-up businesses, shipping containers can be used in a variety of ways.
If you want to save on costs, and have a short term project in mind, consider hiring a shipping container instead of looking at containers for sale.
When to rent a shipping container
If you need a customised container for a specific purpose
Shipping container rentals come in a variety of sizes – from 10ft shipping containers up to 40ft containers – making them perfect for commercial or residential use.
Even if you’re just looking for storing a car, boat or commercial equipment, a shipping container is an ideal storage solution because it’s spacious, airtight, waterproof and there are options for additional security.
When you want the ability to move to different locations
Shipping containers are portable and can be moved to any delivery address using transport options like a tilt-tray or crane truck.
While we are Brisbane-based, our delivery service also includes transport options to South East Queensland and Northern NSW. Delivery freight cost varies for each location depending on the distance from our depot, as well as the type of transport needed.
If you have a tight budget
Small businesses can rent a shipping container to cut overheads and invest the additional income into other facets of the business, like marketing and product development.
Renting a shipping container starts at about $3 or $4 per day, compared to buying a shipping container which can cost $4,500 or more, not to mention the taxes.
This means you will have a cost-effective storage solution that potentially saves you thousands of dollars on your project.
For a short term project
Rent a shipping container if you need it for a short term project, such as a home renovation, temporary storage, or a seasonal business. For example, a restaurant can hire a refrigerated shipping container to store perishables during peak seasons, like Christmas or festivals and shows.
You can also rent a basic shipping container to keep your furniture in while your house is undergoing a renovation. Shorter term storage is a great alternative to buying as it means you don’t need a permanent structure in most cases, so a rented shipping container is your best solution.
Shipping container rentals are great for businesses launching and testing new products, so you can set up your rented shipping container at various locations to test the market.
Things to consider before renting a shipping container
Ask yourself these key questions about how to rent a shipping container:
What is the purpose of the shipping container?
Some of the main reasons for hiring a shipping container include:
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Transporting goods
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Storing boats and cars
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Storing retail products until required
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Temporary office spaces for construction projects
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Pop-up stores for events
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Storage space for documents, furniture and appliances during home renovations
Be as specific as possible about the use of your shipping container, as this will guide your choices and budget.
How long is the rental period?
If you need to organise shipping container hire for a minimum of one month or longer, hire containers instead of buying. Regardless of the rental period, shipping container rental is a cheaper alternative to a standard storage unit.
Do you want on-site or off-site rental?
If you need 24 hour access to what’s inside your shipping container, then off-site rental will be perfect for you. Transport options start from $120 delivered empty.
However, if you don’t need regular access, Gateway Containers offers on-site self storage. This is great for things like boat parking and long term car storage. Our team will deliver the container to you and after you have packed it they will return it to our depot.
We don’t however allow access to the yard for packing and unpacking, the container must be packed or unpacked at your site. Costs start at $120 delivered empty and $180 returned full.
How much is your budget?
Consider every cost associated with renting a shipping container, including transportation, repurposing and maintenance, plus a 10% contingency for any unexpected charges. Shipping container rental can start anywhere from just $3 + GST per day.
Which type of shipping container would you like?
Shipping containers vary in size and use. They include:
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General-purpose shipping containers
General-purpose containers are the most popular shipping container for hire and measure 8ft wide with a standard height of 8.6ft and can be either 10ft, 20ft or 40ft sizes. Smaller sizes are available, such as 8ft and 10ft, but these may be harder to come by than standard sizes.
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Refrigerated shipping containers
Refrigerated containers or reefer containers have superior insulation and fully adjustable internal temperature controls ranging from -25C to +12C, making them ideal for storing perishable goods or medications. These come in 20ft and 40ft sizes only.
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High cube shipping containers
If the standard height of a shipping container won’t suit your storage requirements, there could be a simple solution for your extra storage. Today’s largest shipping containers are high cube containers and can measure 9.6ft (2.9m) high and up to 40ft (12m) long.
High cube containers have an additional foot of headroom for transporting extra tall items.
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Open top containers
Open top containers have no roof and use a heavy-duty tarpaulin as a cover instead. These are ideal for loading large or heavy items into the container from above using a crane.
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Side opening containers
Side opening containers have huge doors that open on the long side, making them ideal for quick loading and items that can’t fit through the shorter ends.
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Flat rack containers
Flat rack or collapsible containers are ideal for moving irregularly shaped items that exceed the size and shape of a standard shipping container. Flat rack containers have no doors or roof, and the remaining sides can fold down flat for easy storage and transportation.
How much clearance space do you have on-site?
The space needed for delivery differs depending on the type of transport used. For a tilt tray truck to deliver a 20ft or 40ft container, they require approximately 12 metre in front of the container to allow for a smooth transition. The height of a tilt tray truck with a shipping container loaded can be up to 4.4 metres, so they will need at least this much space to safely deliver your unit.
A semi-side loader truck generally needs more than a three metre wide gateway as the trailer will often cut across driveways when entering a driveway. A semi-side loader truck is 19 metres long and the height of the truck with a container loaded can be up to 4.5 metres.
No matter the size of the container, you need at least three metres width and six metres overhead clearance space. These are the ideal conditions for the safe delivery of your shipping container to your location.
How much does it cost to hire a shipping container?
At Gateway Containers, shipping container hire starts from $3.50 + GST per day. However, your actual price depends on a range of factors:
- A smaller shipping container such as an 8ft and 10ft can cost more than larger containers because they are harder to find in the market, thus increasing their cost.
- We can deliver containers to your door at an additional cost, and we service South East QLD and Northern NSW.
- A used or second-hand condition shipping container can be the most affordable option despite its signs of wear and tear, such as marks and scratches. While these containers might not be premium grade, they could still be perfect for you. An A grade container or premium grade container is perfect for long sea voyages, but a B or even C grade could still be in acceptable condition.
- The prevailing cost of steel can also affect the price of hiring a shipping container. When steel products are in higher global demand, the renting price may increase too.
For the best value to hire a shipping container, choose a well-established shipping container company, like Gateway, which has access to a large stock of new and used containers. This will give you more variety in choices and a competitive day rate for hire.
Ensure that your shipping container is in acceptable condition and wind, water, and vermin-proof to store and transport your goods safely.
Get in touch with Gateway Containers today
Keep this guide in mind when planning to hire a shipping container for your project. Once you have a clear budget and project needs, talk to our qualified team at Gateway Containers to learn about our range of shipping containers for hire at an affordable price.
We also provide expert advice on renting a shipping container, from sizes available to flexible renting durations.
Not sure if containers for rent suit your needs? We also have containers for sale. Our knowledgeable sales team can find the ideal container for your project. We are proud of our reputation for excellent customer service and can’t wait to talk you through design to delivery.
Get a quote on a shipping container rental today or contact our team to discuss your needs.
