Shipping Container Hire Guide: What First-Time Hirers Need to Know 

Most hired shipping containers are delivered within 3–10 working days once your order has been approved, stock availability confirmed, and payment received.

Delivery times may vary depending on your location, the type of container required, whether PAT testing is needed, and any additional services included in your order.

If you need a storage container urgently, please let us know when requesting your quote. We can contact our network of trusted third-party hauliers to check availability and see whether an earlier delivery can be arranged. While we cannot guarantee a specific date, having a large network of hauliers means we can explore different options to find a delivery slot that works for you.

Delivery and collection are included in your quotation but charged separately from the monthly container hire rate. Both transport charges must be paid at the start of the agreement.

Charging for both journeys upfront means the cost of collecting the container is already covered when your hire ends. You will not receive a separate or unexpected collection charge later, making it easier to understand and budget for the full cost from the outset.

Your quote will clearly show the monthly hire charge, delivery, collection and any additional services required.

There is no maximum container hire period, but the minimum depends on the type of unit you choose:

• Standard storage containers and site accommodation: 30 / 90 days, depending on the depot location.
• Refrigerated containers: 90 days
• Flat pack containers: 12 months

A container can be collected before the minimum period ends, but you will still be charged for the full minimum term. For example, hiring a 20ft storage container for five days would still incur the 30-day minimum charge.

If your requirement becomes permanent, purchasing the hired container may be possible in some circumstances. Please check with our Hire Specialists first, as this will depend on the type of container and how it is being used.

A shipping container can sometimes be delivered to a back garden, provided the vehicle can reach the site and complete the offload safely, parallel to the vehicle. Unfortunately, we’re unable to use the HIAB to lift containers over cars or buildings, but we can usually lift them over fences where access allows.

Depending on the delivery, the haulier may use a vehicle approximately 32ft, 59ft or 65ft long. The access route, available turning space, ground conditions and any overhead obstructions must all be considered.

If you are unsure, send us photographs of the garden and the complete access route. We can share these with the haulier so they can assess whether delivery is possible. Our Helpful Information About Your Container and Delivery guide also explains the vehicle and site requirements.

A 2m x 3m flat pack container may be suitable when a standard shipping container cannot be delivered because access is restricted.

Flat pack containers are transported in sections, making them easier to move through narrow or difficult access points. Once the sections are in the required location, our team can assemble the container by hand.

This can provide useful storage for gardens and other sites that a large delivery vehicle cannot reach. Flat pack containers have a minimum hire period of 12 months and include professional assembly and disassembly by our team at an additional charge.

If you’re hiring a flatpack container for your garden, please be aware that our team won’t be able to carry it through the house due to its size. External access to the garden will therefore be required, such as a side or rear entrance.

Most of the shipping containers in our hire fleet are used. Our standard hire containers are made from Corten steel, are wind and watertight and have cargo doors designed for straightforward access.

Used containers may show signs of their previous working life, but they remain a secure and practical choice for storage.

If you specifically require a single-trip new shipping container, please ask our Hire Specialists when requesting your quote. We may be able to supply one, but this will depend on availability. Discussing it with the team beforehand means you will know what type of container to expect.

At the start of the hire, you will receive a pro forma invoice covering:

• Your first hire period
• The refundable security deposit
• Delivery and collection
• Any additional services required for your chosen container

For most customers, the agreement then continues as a monthly rolling contract covering the ongoing hire charge. You can end the hire in line with the terms of your agreement.

Please contact our team if you need more information about the charging arrangements for your chosen container.

There is no separate early cancellation fee. You will, however, need to pay for the agreed minimum hire period and any other hire period confirmed at the start of the contract.

Once the agreement moves to a rolling contract, you can end it in line with its terms. If you are on a monthly rolling agreement and cancel partway through a month that has already been paid in full, we will refund the unused hire period.

Your security deposit will also be returned after collection and inspection, provided the container is returned in an acceptable condition under our Terms and Conditions.

Your security deposit is usually refunded within 10 days of the container being received and inspected.

Before the refund is approved, we will check the container’s condition. The deposit will be returned provided the container is in an acceptable condition, and there is no damage beyond fair wear and tear.

Reporting any problems during the hire rather than waiting until collection can help avoid delays or unexpected repair charges. If deductions are required under the Terms and Conditions, these will be considered as part of the inspection process.

We may be able to modify or repaint a hired shipping container, but you should discuss the work with our Hire Specialists before making a decision.

The most economical option will depend on the changes required and how long you expect to use the container. For a longer-term or highly specific requirement, purchasing a container may offer better value than modifying a hired unit.

Our team can review what you need and advise whether the work is suitable for a hire container or whether buying would be the better route for your project.

Absolutely. Storing furniture, whether for personal or business use, is one of the most common reasons people choose to hire a shipping container. Containers provide a secure and convenient storage solution for sofas, mattresses, tables and chairs.

However, it’s important to protect your belongings from moisture. Shipping containers can experience condensation as temperatures and weather conditions change, so we strongly recommend using moisture traps inside the container. It’s also a good idea to cover sofas, mattresses and other vulnerable items with suitable plastic wrapping to provide an additional layer of protection.