Renting vs Buying Container Storage

Jane on January 3, 2020

If you require extra storage space, you can easily solve this problem by renting or buying a shipping container. The processes of renting and buying container storage offer different benefits depending on your requirements. If you’re wondering whether you should rent or buy your container, read on to find out which option is best suited to you.

Reasons for renting a shipping container

Shipping container hire for both personal and commercial use is ideal for a temporary storage solution. You may wish to rent a container if you are:

  • Hosting a short-term event such as a festival, sporting event, market, etc.
  • Managing a construction site and want to store equipment and materials
  • Renovating your home and want to keep personal belongings safe and accessible
  • A retailer requiring seasonal storage
  • A farmer requiring a grain store during harvesting

There are, of course, many other reasons why you might need to hire a shipping container for storage, but these are just a few common scenarios.

Reasons for buying a shipping container

If you require longer term or permanent use, buying a shipping container will likely be the best option for you. You might choose to buy a container if you are:

  • A farmer in need of chemical storage
  • A private individual or business looking to set up an office in your garden or a commercial site
  • A school in need of an extra classroom, PE changing rooms or outdoor equipment storage
  • A hospital requiring a staff room, canteen or storage for medical equipment
  • Shipping goods overseas

Again, there are many more reasons for purchasing a shipping container.

The price of renting or buying a shipping container

Price might be the most important factor for you to consider when deciding whether you should rent or buy a shipping container. 

Buying a shipping container will have a high initial cost, but the benefits will be that you own the container outright, can use it for as long as you need, and can possibly sell it when you no longer need it. Containers are very sturdy structures made with high quality material, so they can last years without any considerable decrease in resale value. Take a look at our guides for what you need to look for when buying a second hand or a new container. 

Renting a shipping container may be more cost effective if you only need it for a short amount of time. Container suppliers usually have a weekly hire cost, and you will likely need to pay for delivery and removal. Read our guide to renting a container, which includes our pricing information.

Shipping container modifications

All of our rented containers come fitted with a lock box for security purposes; this houses a padlock (which can be purchased through us if needed) and is specially designed to deter bolt croppers. Each container is also watertight and this is checked prior to release to ensure that you receive a high quality container for your rental period. Accessories – such as Absorpoles to absorb moisture – are available with your rental and the price for these items is available on request.

If you require further modifications, however, this may mean buying a container. We can convert containers for use as chemical stores, complete with bunded floors, drainage sumps and warning signs; mobile offices with insulation and heating, lockable window shutters, and lighting; and canteens with counters and a sink. All of these options are available with container purchases.

Should I rent or buy a shipping container?

If you’re still struggling to decide whether you should rent or buy a container, just give us a call on 0800 121 7388 and we can help you make an informed decision!

Self Storage

Jane on February 23, 2017

Self-storage businesses are popping up in many places around the UK. It is a growing industry in the UK and has been since the 1980s. Many self-store businesses actually use shipping containers. The containers act like rooms for each customer. They are lockable and secure. They can be placed side by side and stacked at least 2 high.

Stacks of 20ft containers, self storage site, self store

Many customers of self-storage sites want to keep their possessions safe but just don’t have anywhere to store them. Customers include retailers, wholesalers, private individuals, construction firms and many, many more.

The farming community, in particular, are diversifying into self-storage, because they have the land already with great access for their customers.

The average occupancy of self-storage units has grown by 4% to 73% and income per sq ft has grown by over 5% to £22.15 in 2016, according to the Self Storage Association UK (SSA UK).

It is difficult to calculate accurately the number of self-storage businesses trading as there is no organisation that actually tracks the self-storage industry around the UK. The SSA UK estimates that there are now around 1077 self-store sites in the UK, of which 195 offer container storage only.

We at Billie Box offer shipping containers that will suit a self-storage business perfectly. We always recommend new (one trip from China) containers as they are usually clean and tidy. Self-storage customers want to store in a nice tidy space. All our new containers are fitted with a lock box and padlocks on a master suite basis are available for sale.

2016 Statistics from SSA UK make very interesting reading

Self storage association UK

How to set up a Self Storage business

  1. Find the land
  2. Apply for planning permission
  3. Make the land levelled and accessible
  4. Put up a fence and maybe a swipe card system for added security.
  5. Start marketing your self-storage business. Get your customers lined up to rent the space.
  6. Buy shipping containers from Billie Box to place on site. Often our customers start with 10 x 20ft units and then build onto the site with more as and when the first ones are full.
  7. Rent the containers out to your customers.
  8. Before you know it, your site will be full of customers and you will be receiving a nice tidy income.
  9. Remember you can stack 2 high. Staircases and walkways would be required for access.

So in conclusion, call us today on 0800 121 7388 or get a quote to see how Billie Box can help you to start up your self-storage business.

About Jane Billing
Jane Billing has over 30 years’ experience in shipping container supply. During that time Jane has gained a very broad knowledge of the whole shipping container industry. From construction to shipping, to adaption and conversions, if you have a question about any aspect of the shipping container industry Jane will likely have the answer for you. After many years working for some of the biggest names in the shipping container industry Jane set up her own company, Billie Box Ltd, in 2012. Since launching, Billie Box Ltd has sold well over 1500 new and used containers.

Rural Crime stats 2016

Jane on February 14, 2017

Rural crime stats are a huge problem to farmers and those that live in the countryside. Rural sites are so exposed and unmanned in many cases, hence why crime is on the rise. The perpetrators can access sites easily and abscond with many high value items without anyone noticing.

We at Billie Box take these rural crime stats very seriously indeed. We supply steel secure shipping containers for storage with delivery to your door. Farms and countryside residences often have sufficient room to add another shed to their site.

Visit our site for Sale or Hire of shipping containers.

Rural crime

New (once used from China) 20ft x 8ft storage container being delivered to site

Every year rural crime costs millions of pounds and causes anxiety to the victims across the UK.

In 2015 the data reveals that the cost of rural crime to the UK has reached £42.5 million.

Stats from the NFU website.

rural crime stats from NFU

Agri-Expo

The NFU Mutual reported that there are certain areas being targeted more than others – the North East and East of England in particular. In 2015 it cost the victims in these areas in the region of £7.9 and £6.9 million respectively. The Midlands and Northern Ireland crime figures are on the rise by 10% and 13% respectively.

Theft of ATVs rose by 50% in the Essex area last year alone, according to NFU Mutual.

ATVs can be easily stored in a 20ft lockable container. Containers are a perfect solution, as all sides are blocked and the thieves cannot see whats inside. Who knows what’s in a container?

Equine tack such as saddles and bridles, being very high value, are perfect for the burglar. Again a shipping container is a great product in which to store your horse-riding equipment. I know some of you are worried about condensation; however, we do have the Absorpole which can rectify this problem.

Billie Box’s Shipping Containers are fitted with a lock box and then a hardened steel padlock will fit inside. This will stop unlawful access with bolt croppers.

Our padlocks have an anti-drill, anti-pick and anti-saw shackle.

In conclusion, prevention is better than cure!

Please click here for a Quote

About Jane Billing
Jane Billing has over 30 years’ experience in shipping container supply. During that time Jane has gained a very broad knowledge of the whole shipping container industry. From construction to shipping, to adaption and conversions, if you have a question about any aspect of the shipping container industry Jane will likely have the answer for you. After many years working for some of the biggest names in the shipping container industry Jane set up her own company, Billie Box Ltd, in 2012. Since launching, Billie Box Ltd has sold well over 1500 new and used containers.

Secure 20ft shipping containers to buy

Jane on June 19, 2014

Billie Box offers a number of 20ft shipping containers with different configurations for sale with nationwide delivery.

20ft Shipping Container Variations

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20ft shipping containers

20ft Long x 8ft Wide x 8ft 6in High standard storage container: Double doors on one 8ft end only (Second hand or new)
Second hand sea container
Example of a Second hand sea container (approx. 12 years old)

20ft shipping container External dimensions:

19 ft  10in Long (6.04 m) – 8 ft wide (2.43 m) – 8 ft 6 in high (2.59 m)

20ft shipping container Internal dimensions:

19 ft 4 in Long (5.89 m) – 7 ft 8 in wide (2.33 m) – 7 ft 10 in high (2.38 m)

Door opening dimensions:

7 ft 6 in wide (2.28 m) – 7 ft 6 in high (2.28 m)

Weights

Tare weight = 2,230 Kg (4,920 lbs)

Max Gross weight = 30,480 Kg (67,200 lbs)

Cubic Capacity = 33.1 cubic meters (1,170 cubic feet)

Specification: Corten steel walls, ceilings and double doors with a 25mm marine-treated plywood floor.

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20ft shipping containers – Tunnel (also known as double doors)

20ft Long x 8ft Wide x 8ft 6in High Tunnel container: Double doors on both 8ft ends (New)
New 20ft tunnel sea container (double doors at both 8ft ends)

20ft Tunnel container External dimensions:

19 ft  10in Long (6.04 m) – 8 ft wide (2.43 m) – 8 ft 6 in high (2.59 m)

20ft Tunnel container Internal dimensions:

19 ft 1 in Long (5.81 m) – 7 ft 8 in wide (2.33 m) – 7 ft 10 in high (2.38 m)

Both end door opening dimensions:

7 ft 6 in wide (2.28 m) – 7 ft 6 in high (2.28 m) (2 sets of double doors)

Specification: Corten steel walls, ceilings and 2 sets of double doors with a 25mm marine-treated plywood floor.

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20ft shipping containers – Hi cube

20ft Long x 8ft Wide x 9ft 6in High Hi Cube container: Double doors on one 8ft end only (New)
New (once used) 20ft hi cube sea container

20ft Hi cube External dimensions:

19 ft  10in Long (6.04 m) – 8 ft wide (2.43 m) – 9 ft 6 in high (2.89 m)

20ft Hi cube Internal dimensions:

19 ft 4 in Long (5.89 m) – 7 ft 8 in wide (2.33 m) – 8 ft 10 in high (2.69 m)

Door opening dimensions:

7 ft 6 in wide (2.28 m) – 7 ft 6 in high (2.28 m)

Weights

Tare weight = 2,220 Kg (4,894 lbs)

Max Gross weight = 30,480 Kg (67,200 lbs)

Cubic Capacity = 37.09 cubic meters (1,310 cubic feet)

Specification: Corten steel walls, ceilings and double doors with a 25mm marine-treated plywood floor.

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Get a free quote today

20ft shipping containers – Opensider

20ft Long x 8ft Wide x 8ft 6in High Opensider container: Double doors on one 8ft end and one 20ft side (New)
New 20ft Opensider shipping container

20ft Opensider External dimensions:

19 ft  10in Long (6.04 m) – 8 ft wide (2.43 m) – 8 ft 6 in high (2.59 m)

20ft Opensider Internal dimensions:

19 ft 4 in Long (5.89 m) – 7 ft 8 in wide (2.33 m) – 7 ft 10 in high (2.39 m)

Door opening dimensions:

7 ft 6 in wide (2.28 m) – 7 ft 6 in high (2.28 m) – 1st set of double doors

18 ft 10 in wide (5.74 m) – 7 ft 6 in high (2.28 m) – 2nd set of double doors

Specification: Corten steel walls, ceilings and double doors with a 25mm marine-treated plywood floor.

Many of our customers purchase the standard 20ft shipping container. We do also sell the other types of containers e.g. Opensider, tunnels etc. to many different industries. Our customers include construction, private individuals, farmers, sports clubs, schools, NHS, private hospitals, landfill sites, serviced offices, self stores, tyre firms and many more.

Have a look at the other sizes and accessories we offer:

10ft Long shipping container

40ft Long shipping container

Container Accessories

So call today for more information and our latest prices. Freephone 0800 121 7388 or 01473 557409

Get a free quote today
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