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FAQs

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General Questions Buy or Hire? Delivery Specifications Misc

General Questions

What is the difference between new and used containers?

A "new" or "single-trip" unit is one that has been manufactured in China. To keep the cost down, we offer these to shipping lines to be used once to carry cargo from the Far East back to the UK. Once the cargo has been emptied, the unit is then returned empty back to our depot. A "used" or "second hand" option is an ex-service shipping line unit that has been retired from their fleet which is now dedicated primarily to storage usage. The "used" options we have are all A1 grade (wind and watertight).

Can you stack containers?

Yes, and we can supply the interlocking twist locks to comply with health & safety regulations.

How many pallets can I store in a container?

As a general guideline only, you can usually fit a total of 10 pallets on the floor of a 20ft dependant on the size of your pallets. (To be sure please check our dimensions page for clarification).

How much does a container cost

The cost of buying depends on many factors such as their age and size, whether any accessories have been fitted or modifications made and the delivery charge. It is not possible to publish a price list as costs vary with changes in the market and delivery.

Buy or Hire?

Do you have Shipping Containers for Sale?

We supply shipping modules for sale that range from 10ft to 40ft. We pride ourselves in our unparalleled service to supply only the finest used and new shipping options at competitive prices. In addition to the sale of our units, we provide a wide range of accessories and services.

Looking for shipping container hire?

We provide you with all your needs. Whether you require the hire of storage or shipping units, we have them in stock and ready to transport out to you. We pride ourselves on our unparalleled service to supply only the finest used and new options at competitive prices. You can hire 10ft, 20ft, 30ft, and/or 40ft that comes as standard, insulated or refrigerated.

Why should I buy a container from S Jones Containers?

We exist for our customers, who we enjoy working with on a friendly and personal basis. You will not find a more approachable team of people who always put you first in the quest for your satisfaction. Much of our business is repeat business; our customers just keep coming back to buy shipping units from us.  They also come to S Jones for storage and conversion solutions.  Please contact us with your specific sales and hire requirements – or phone 0808 159 5339.

Looking for Container Storage?

We offer a specific storage facility for both home and business use in the West Midlands area located in Aldridge and West Bromwich.

Can we purchase containers we have either rented or hired?

Yes, we are always happy to discuss the sale of units you have rented or hired, all prices will be subject to the used market at that time, the unit's condition, and transport cost implications.

Do you provide second hand containers?

Yes, we have second hand options for sale, hire and storage. Sizes range from 10ft, 20ft, 30ft and 40ft. We pride ourselves on our unparalleled service to supply at competitive prices.

Will you buy back containers previously purchased from you?

Yes, we are always happy to discuss the buy back of units previously purchased. All prices will be subject to the second hand market at that time, the condition of the unit and transport cost implications.

Can you create a custom shipping container?

Yes, a standard unit has such a good basic design that it can be converted into many custom uses. It can be lined, insulated, fitted with additional doors, windows and electrics. It can also be shortened to fit a specific space or use and can be modified/ converted to a host of modular uses.

Delivery

Can you lift over obstructions?

This can be arranged by way of contract lift utilising specialised cranes and a site specific Risk Assessment will be required to determine crane size.

Can the storage container be positioned on any surface?

Care must be taken with this. All surfaces where the container is to be sited must be flat hard standing. The loaded weight of a storage/shipping unit is designed to be supported on its 4 bottom corners which need to be level with each other to ensure the unit remains square so the doors open and shut easily. The ground at each corner or the whole area must be solid enough to take the required weight and can be concrete, concrete paving slabs, railway sleepers, a firm stone surface or similar.

Can you offload from rear of vehicle?

It can be arranged but may carry a surcharge.

Do you deliver to any accessible location and include off-loading?

If you buy a shipping module and require immediate use of it as soon as it is delivered, don’t worry. We offer industry-leading delivery project management services to ensure everything goes according to plan when a large, crane-equipped vehicle arrives on site. As part of this, we provide a complete transport and delivery service, including the lift-off and positioning, so you can place just where you want it. We can provide a transferral service if you require changing the location, and we provide a no-hassle collection service when a unit is off-hired. We only use experienced and proven transport services that are reliable and helpful at the most important time, ensuring your unit is positioned and placed as you wish. (If there are technical issues to be considered we can advise you on this as well).

How large will the vehicle delivering my container be?

As an average work on 52ft.

How much room is needed on site to be able to park the vehicle and offload?

An approx width of 24ft is required.

What are the space restrictions where a storage container can be delivered?

Storage units are usually delivered and lifted to the ground by the lorry's own crane, parallel to the side of the lorry. To accommodate the width of the truck a space approx 20ft wide will be necessary. The length of space required to offload will depend on the length of the unit, but up to a single 20ft will require a space over 25ft long and a 30ft/40ft over 45ft of space. There must be no overhead restrictions such as cables, or tree branches below 25ft high. The delivery lorry must be able to drive from the highway to the off loading point which must be accessible and over solid ground with no restrictions such as drains. It is sometimes possible to offload over a low hedge or wall but this must be discussed and agreed with us in advance of the delivery.

Will one of your storage containers be large enough to take my goods?

To enable you to assess the available space in one of our storage units, the internal dimensions, floor area, cubic capacity and end door aperture sizes of 8ft, 10ft, 20ft, 30ft and 40ft units are listed on our standard dimensions page.

Do you provide container shipping abroad?

No, but we can put you in touch with international shipping agents who can arrange shipping abroad.

Can containers we hire or purchase from you be moved when loaded?

Not normally, but please talk to us if you need to do this.

Can we visit your depot to view and pick our containers?

Yes, we welcome visitors to our premises for this purpose. See our Depot Map to see where our nationwide depots are located.

Do you arrange site surveys to cover lorry access, container siting, etc?

Yes, this can be arranged for a small charge.

Specifications

Are there condensation problems with steel containers?

Condensation problems can sometimes occur depending on what is stored, the atmospheric humidity and temperature changes. All will have a degree of ventilation which is usually sufficient but if considered necessary we can supply an anti-condensation coating to the inside roof of the container that prevents droplets of condensation forming, we can also supply moisture traps and drying crystals. They can also be fitted with a lining.

Can our container be a specific colour of our choice?

The new and used options that we have in stock will be a variety of colours. If the colour you require is not available we can spray paint whatever RAL or BS colour you need. Unless otherwise specified we use a high specification marine paint system on all re-sprays.

Do you sell fireproof shipping containers?

No, they are not 100% fireproof. However, they are manufactured from steel and marine ply-wood so they are very resistant to fire but as we all know with enough extreme heat anything will burn.

What is the expected service life of a container?

This depends on the use of the container. However, they are designed and manufactured to cope with a long and arduous life moving goods around the world. As such, they are very sturdy and secure. A used option will usually have been in international operation for in excess of 10 years and sometimes longer but depending on your use, depending on its location and reasonable maintenance it is not unreasonable to expect a further 10 plus years of use. New units will have completed one journey from their country of manufacture and with reasonable use and maintenance can be expected to complete over 30 years as a storage unit.

What materials are your containers manufactured from?

They are manufactured from steel and marine ply-wood flooring.

Misc

Do I need planning permission for shipping container homes?

Storage units are considered to be temporary structures and so would not normally need planning permission. However, we advise being sensitive to the local environment, for instance we can supply green units for countryside areas. If you are in doubt it may be prudent to check with your local authority.

Can you supply an ISO Container?

Yes, we can supply you an ISO container for sale and / or hire. Sizes range from 10ft, 20ft, 30ft and 40ft. We pride ourselves on our unparalleled service to supply only the finest used and new units at competitive prices. For information on hiring, please visit our hire page. In addition to the sale and hire of an ISO unit, we provide a wide range of accessories and services.

Can you supply Sea Containers?

Yes, we can supply Sea Containers for sale, hire and storage. These range from 10ft, 20ft, 30ft and 40ft. We pride ourselves on our unparalleled service to supply only the finest second hand and new sea units at competitive prices.

Difference between differently described containers ie. Cargo, Freight & ISO containers?

Basically there is no difference. All of our units, unless they have been modified, are new or used ISO shipping units originally designed and manufactured to specific international ISO standards. These design and manufacturing standards ensure the they can safely withstand the rigours of international trade for many years whilst keeping their contents safe, dry and secure on land, sea, truck and train.

What is a sea container?

A sea container is a standard-sized rectangular box used to transport freight by ship, rail and highway. International shipping units can range from 10ft to 40ft long and must conform to the international Standards Organisation (ISO) standards. Plus sea units are specifically designed to fit in a ships' hold. To be used for international shipping it is required to have a current CSC certificate which should be provided by the supplier for this purpose. When purchasing for any purpose today caution should be exercised as many options in the market are not true sea shipping units. We personally do not ship abroad, but we are CSC certified and we can put you in touch with international shipping agents who can arrange this for you.

What are Freight Shipping Containers?

Freight shipping units are standard-sized rectangular boxes used to transport freight by ship, rail and highway. International shipping units can range from 10ft to 40ft long and must conform to the international Standards Organisation (ISO) standards. Plus, they are specifically designed to fit in a ship hold.

Do you offer Site Storage?

We sell and hire storage units used for site storage on your site. We also offer self-storage on our sites in Aldridge, Walsall, West Midlands and West Bromwich, West Midlands, view our Self Storage pages.

What Our Customers Say

Jim
12th Dec 2023
Always a pleasure to deal with, fantastic customer service and containers are always top quality.
Richard
24th Oct 2023
We are very pleased with the container.The Driver was very helpful and very pleasant 10/10.
Barry
27th Oct 2023
We have bought from you now for over 10 years since meeting Lucy Aucott at a trade stand – since then we have come to you for quotes and bought when we felt the price was right . Your staff have always been very helpful.
Pat
25th Oct 2023
Good price, good service and delivered when they said they would Very smooth transaction.
Steve
28th Oct 2023
It was a very easy service from quotation to delivery.
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0800 1954 538