Storage Made Simple: The Case for Investing in a Shipping Container

Jane on September 16, 2024

Why storage matters

There is a lack of secure and flexible storage space for many industries and private people. 

The solution to this problem is buying or hiring a shipping container for storage. They are secure, robust and watertight, which means they are perfect for your storage needs.

Hiring storage containers can be a more flexible option, with a minimum of a 26-week hire, or you can purchase them and add them to your fixed asset register, giving you a tax advantage.

What makes a shipping container a sound investment?

Shipping containers for storage is a worthwhile investment. They are durable, versatile, and secure. This brings longevity, meaning a second-hand container can last around another 10-15 years and the new (one trip) containers can last around 40 years, with a little maintenance over that time.

Buying a shipping container for storage is a valuable and a cost-effective solution. There is always a re-sale value to the container, low maintenance costs and they can be converted for multiple uses. HMRC also allows you to write the container down on your fixed asset register, giving your company a tax advantage.

All in all, buying a shipping container is a good sound investment.

Hiring a container can allow you to keep your weekly rental costs to a minimum while still allowing you to utilise the storage space at a low cost.

Benefits over traditional storage options

Having a shipping container on your site means that you remove the need to move your goods from off-site, reducing the cost of fuel, van hire, access issues, and removal personnel to move your goods to the off-site storage facility.

24-7 access to your ‘on the doorstep storage container’, is a huge plus point.

A shipping container for storage on your site gives you durability, flexibility and mobility. This is your best possible option.

Customisation and Flexibility

Shipping containers for storage can be adapted to meet your needs. For example, we offer magnetic, motion sensor, battery-operated lights, padlocks for high security and absorpoles for any excess moisture inside your container. Free-standing shelving can be added to keep your store organised.

We can also offer a bespoke conversion facility. As an example, you can have a 20ft shipping container converted into half office space and half storage space. For more options please see our container conversions page.

Renting vs Buying

This will mainly depend on what budget you have available. 

By renting a container you can spread the costs out over a number of months. If you only have space available for a container on your site for a set period of time, renting would probably be your best option.

Buying a shipping container for storage, means you will have the initial outlay, but you will own the container and in business you will be able to depreciate its value over the course of time, giving you a tax advantage. You will also have the re-sale value, when you have finished with it, as long as you have maintained the container.

Case Studies

Longevity and Sustainability

Shipping containers for storage are a sustainable choice, as they are long-lasting, reusable and can be re-purposed.

Sustainability is an increasing concern. Containers are eco-friendly and durable, giving you peace of mind for the longevity of the container.

How to Get Started

We are ONLY a phone call away, so please call Jane, Clare and Matt today on 0800 121 7388.

Or complete our enquiry form here.

How to easily expand storage at a hospital, school or supermarket

Jane on April 14, 2020

With the current social distancing measures in place in the UK due to COVID-19, many businesses have been deemed non-essential and have been asked to close by the government. Here at Billie Box, we are still very much open and functioning as an essential business; this is because container storage is a highly practical and accessible way to expand storage at other essential businesses and facilities, such as hospitals, supermarkets and schools.

Why container storage is necessary during a crisis

In times of crisis such as the situation we are currently experiencing, container hire can help to alleviate the stress of equipment storage. Due to the requirements of dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak, hospitals are requiring extra storage for surgical masks, medicines and other medical equipment; supermarkets are in need of storage for high-demand items such as larder essentials and canned goods; and schools may need to store supplies that are temporarily out of use during the current term, when many children are being homeschooled.

Practical temporary storage solutions

Shipping containers are an excellent form of temporary storage for the following reasons:

  • Shipping containers can be easily placed, relocated and removed with the correct equipment. This means that you can have a shipping container delivered and placed with minimal effort, move it if it requires relocating in future, and have it removed from your premises if and when you decide that you no longer need it.
  • These units are, by nature, very secure. They are used to transport goods across the world; therefore they must be secure in order to prevent theft. At Billie Box, our containers can be purchased with a lock box and padlock to deter thieves with bolt croppers.
  • Shipping containers are weather-proof. Again, being used to transport goods across the world, shipping containers are subject to harsh weather conditions on ships, which is why they are created in such a way to preserve their contents. This is a vital factor for food and medical equipment storage.
  • Containers are available in a range of sizes for a multitude of purposes. Whether you are a primary school in need of a regular 20ft x 8ft container, or a supermarket chain with larger requirements, there is a shipping container to suit your needs.
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New (once used from China) 20ft x 8ft storage container

Other ways a container can be used

Not only are shipping containers excellent temporary storage solutions, converted shipping containers can also be used as offices and canteens. We currently have a number of 20ft portable offices and canteens available from the Grays, Essex area. Please contact us right away on 0800 121 7388 to secure a portable office for your use.

For example, it was recently reported that retired NHS staff have been asked to return to work to help the service cope with rising patient numbers during the COVID-19 outbreak. With a higher number of staff on site and a limited number of locations for staff to rest, a converted container can be used as a staff room or even an extra office space.

In a corporate environment such as a supermarket headquarters, an extra office is helpful for adhering to social distancing guidelines by offering separate space for staff to minimise infection. 

For schools, a converted container may even be used as an extra space to house children of key workers during lessons, in case there are too many children in a classroom to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

20ft Office interior
20ft Office interior
portable office, portable space, office,
20ft Exterior of Portable Office

These are just a few examples of how shipping containers and converted containers can help during this difficult time. If you require container storage or an extra office or canteen space for your establishment, do not hesitate to contact us on 0800 121 7388.

Storage Containers for Football Clubs

Jane on October 5, 2016

Football clubs often require storage containers for their unmanned sites.

Football Foundation

Did you know that the Football Foundation have set up a funding scheme for the purchase of a storage container? Click on Funding scheme for more information.

So, English and Welsh Football clubs can purchase steel secure storage containers from us at Billie Box. We offer 20ft and 40ft steel shipping containers fitted with a lock box and padlock. These containers are perfect as a secure lock up.

Billie Box has a variety of sizes and types of containers:

Second hand 20ft x 8ft storage container

Example of a Second hand 20ft x 8ft storage container (approx. 12 years old)

Example of a Second hand 40ft x 8ft steel storage container

Example of a Second hand 40ft x 8ft steel storage container

New (once used from China) 20ft x 8ft storage container

New (once used from China) 20ft x 8ft storage container

20ft Opensider

New (once used from China) 20ft x 8ft Opensider container

40ft tunnel container for sale

New (once used from China) 20ft or 40ft Tunnel container

More photos can be seen on our Gallery page.

Delivery and Offload

Billie Box arranges transportation to your site with a Hi ab lorry, that will offload the container to the side of the vehicle. More information about the delivery conditions, please visit our Delivery page.

Container accessories

Accessories for storage containers are available for purchase from Billie Box via Paypal, please view our Padlocks, and Absorpoles pages for more information.

Planning Permission

Within the conditions of the Football Foundation funding scheme, you must apply for planning permission. When you speak to your local planning department, you can advise them that the storage container is a ‘Temporary structure and can be moved at anytime with specialist equipment’. This may result in no planning permission required. However, according to the funding scheme, you will still need to get this confirmed in writing.

Storage container Rental

If the funding scheme is not the route your football club would like to take, we do offer storage container rental around England and Wales.

GET a Quote today

So please contact Jane or Matt for a quotation by either T: 0800 121 7388 or click on GET 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.

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