Frequently Asked Questions

A. Dry cargo shipping containers are manufactured using “Corten” corrosion resistant steel.  The container frame, roof & side panels along with the doors are pre-treated to ensure longevity & all units are coated with a marine standard chlorinated rubber or acrylic paint system. Floors fitted are primarily plywood although units are sometimes fitted with steel floors for specialised cargoes.

A. Just about anywhere.  Tarmac, gravel, grass, earth, or concrete surfaces are all acceptable.  The container is self-supporting at the 4 corners.  However, on soft unstable ground we always recommend 4 paving stones/2 railway sleepers or similar to spread the weight.  You do need a suitable surface near to the container to allow the delivery truck access and sufficient stability to load/offload.

A. New containers in domestic use will last in excess of 20-25 years.  Containers used for international shipping tend to the ‘retired’ after 10 years usage.  Some rental companies buy up these ‘retired’ containers for their UK rental business. Boxrent uses new containers for their UK rental fleet.

A. Since the 1990’s almost all standard containers have been manufactured with plywood floors due to their durability & cost effectiveness.

A. For rental customers, the answer is no.  Just look after the unit by keeping it clean inside and out, if you are a long term rental customer, you might need to grease the door hinges and rods from time to time depending on the amount of usage.

A. All new containers are finished using a marine quality paint system designed for the rigours of international shipping.  By default, Boxrent (GVTU) containers tend to be blue or green, but other colours can be provided for containers for sale or rental. However, this can occur an additional cost & a small delay.

A. Very.  The steel sides/doors of a container make it very secure against all but the most determined of attacks.  Boxrent provide heavy duty padlocks and lock boxes as part of our container rental service.  Due to their maritime design, they are inherently water and wind proof.

A. In shipping, units are stacked up to nine high onboard ship.  In this scenario, the bottom unit is carrying in excess of 200 tonnes at its four corner posts.  The structural strength of a container is within the frame. The corrugated panels are there to withhold the cargo.  Therefore, whilst you can store lightweight objects on the roof, heavier items will cause permanent damage or, at minimum, distortion of the roof panels.  If you plan to stack containers, always seek advice in advance.

A. A 20ft container typically weighs between 2 to 2.25 tonnes (2000 to 2200kg) when empty.  A 40ft weighs 4.0 tonnes (3950kg).  We can provide specific weight information for any configuration of container on request.

A. Provided that the container is non-permanent then typically planning permission is not required.  However if you site the container in a residential or highly visible location you might get complaints from neighbours, so we suggest that you talk to your neighbours and/or the local planning authority in advance.

A. Yes.  Container resale prices are very volatile, so we can only give you a definite price at the point at which you decide to change from rental to purchase.

A. Condensation is not a general problem with containers, provided that you don’t introduce water into the unit (through storing damp materials for instance).  If you are storing humidity-sensitive goods, then the use of a dehumidifier is recommended.  If you have any questions in this area, please call the Boxrent team for advice.

A. Strictly speaking containers are not fireproof.  However, being made with a steel skin and tight fitting doors does mean that they are very fire resistant indeed.

A. Most domestic and business goods can be stored safely in a container.  However, highly corrosive or flammable substances are clearly not suitable.  It might seem a strange thing to raise but … containers are not suitable for animal or human habitation (even for short periods!).

A. Yes, but we would need to have details of the contents so that we can provide the right equipment to do this safely.

A.  Upon receipt of an initial payment, we aim to deliver your container(s) to your site within 3/4 working days.

A.  The standard container size is 20’ (L) x 8’ (W) with an additional 4’ in length to allow the container doors to open fully.

A.  Yes! All containers are supplied with a high security (case hardened), anti-theft padlock free of charge.

A. The cost of renting a container itself is very economic, often under £40.00 per month for a 20’ unit. There will, however, be a delivery & collection cost of between £160 - £400 (subject to equipment type & distance) which will also need to be paid. Putting these costs into perspective, a typical ‘Self-Store’ will charge between £160 - £200 per month for the use of the same 20’ container on their site and in addition to this you will often need to rent a van or hire a removals company to transfer the stored items from your home to the self-store site. Therefore, if you have the space for a container and are looking to store items for more than 2 months, renting your own container will provide the lowest cost, storage solution!

Other sizes...

10FT Shipping Containers

Box Rent offers an extensive range of new and used 10ft shipping containers, available throughout the UK.

20FT Shipping Containers

Box Rent offers an extensive range of new and used 20ft shipping containers, available throughout the UK.

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HAVE A QUESTION?

Call us on:

01494 718140

Our Office Address is:

Unit C1B, Comet Studios
De Havilland Court
Penn Street
Bucks HP7 0PX

E: rentals@boxrent.co.uk

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