Best Quality Shipping Containers for Your Money

If you're running a storage facility or purchasing a container that will be in a highly visible area where the appearance of the storage container is important, one trip, or new, shipping containers are the best way to go for several reasons - color, condition, and interior  are the three main reasons.

Shipping Container Color

New shipping containers are typically a solid color - tan or white are the most common colors.  They blend easily with your surroundings, and they don't stick out in nearly any environment.

On a used shipping container the paint may be fading, chipped, or some crazy color that you'll need to paint over.  Repainting a shipping container can cost around $600 or more.

Shipping Container Condition

On a new shipping container the doors, locking gear, and hinges are all freshly oiled, and swing easily.  Your clients, or the people using the container will have no problem opening the doors, closing and locking them, and they'll require very little maintenance.

Used shipping containers may have a lot of grease, which isn't an issue in itself; but the doors may not swing as naturally as a new container, and they may require some effort to push shut and lock them.  To make the doors swing freely you'll need to have them squared up, re-greased, and any dents worked out.

Shipping Container - Condition of the Inside

A new shipping container will have fresh, clean floors and no odors.  The plywood floors will have no gouges or damage and no stains or discoloration.

A used shipping container may have stained floors, or gouges and chips out of the flooring and need to be repaired.  Depending on the amount of work and condition of the floors, it could be over $100 to replace the flooring.

Comparing New and Used Shipping Containers

The price of a new shipping container is normally $1000-$1500 more than a used shipping container.  If the price is substancially lower, you'll probably need to invest a lot of money to get it into good working order. Not only money, but you'll have to wait for the repairs and refurbshment to be completed - meaning that you can't rent it out until it's repaired.  Click here to learn more about refurbished shipping containers.

Do your own math, if you can't wait for your unit and want a clean, fresh looking container.

Summer Time = Cheap Shipping Containers for Sale

Need a shipping container for your summer project, portable business office, or other on-site storage project?  The summer time, is the right time, to buy a container!  The inventories are well stocked, and they're often sold at cheaper rates due to higher inventories.

ContainerAuction.com has partnered with a few of it's key sellers to put together a list of cities with containers that must be sold at cheap prices; and if you're in or near one of these cities you can get a great unit for a low price.

In target cities around the US and Canada you can find sellers have 20' used containers in cargo worthy condition starting at auction for $1500, and used 40' containers in cargo worthy condition with auctions starting at $1950.  These are wholesale prices that are only available for a short period of time.

New 20' shipping containers starting at $2600, and new 40' shipping containers starting at $4200.

Once the existing inventory is cleared out, prices will return to normal and your chance of getting a great deal may be gone.

20' High Cube Shipping Containers

20' high cube containers are becoming more and more popular for storage and office modifications projects.  For many people, a 40' container is too long to do the job, a 40' high cube is out of the question, and but a 20' standard height container is a little too short for comfort.

The solution is a 20' high cube container.  20' high cube containers are 20' long, 8' wide, and 9.5' high - an extra 1.5 feet in head room.

One thing to consider when you start shopping for a 20' high cube - since they're a newer design, and not commonly used by shipping lines, it's usually not possible to find any used equipment of this size; only new or one trip 20' high cube containers are widely available.

For retail buyers, you can buy 20' high cube containers on PurchaseContainers.com, commercial and wholesale clients can find 20' high cubes on ContainerAuction.com.

20' high cube dimensions

EXTERNAL DIMENSIONS
LENGTH	6,058 mm / 20 ft
WIDTH	2,438 mm / 8 ft
HEIGHT	2,896 mm /  9.5 ft

One Trip Box in Long Beach

Portable Offices, On-site Storage, made from Shipping Containers

Portable Offices made from Shipping Containers

We've had a few great offices made shipping container for sale recently, and one of our sellers has been producing high quality container offices and moving them throughout Ontario.

Custom doors and windows, solar lighting, portable, and highly secure.  If you're in construction, oil, or a related field you can't go wrong with this off-site office/storage unit.

Great deals on Ohio Cargo Containers!

If you're looking for a shipping container, cargo container, or storage container in Ohio or the Ohio Valley (Western PA, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio), the spring is the best time to do it.

There are multiple shipping and storage container auctions taking place in the coming months in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati.

They'll be posted on ContainerAuction.com, and on this page you can read some tips about Ohio storage containers.

Where Can I Find Cheap Shipping Containers in Colorado?

Storage and shipping containers in Colorado don't stick around long. There aren't a lot of cheap containers that pass through Denver, Colorado and when they do they're normally bought up by retailers in the Front Range. When shipping containers are available you need to be ready to move quickly on them and purchase them as they come on the market.

What types of shipping containers are available in Colorado, and where are they?

The most common shipping containers that stop in Colorado are 20' and 40' containers. Some are in "wind and water tight" condition, and others are in new/one trip condition Due to the geography and trade industries located in Colorado, the shipping containers are primarily available in the metro-Denver area. Occasionally, retail dealers will move them to Colorado Springs or Fort Collins. Finding a shipping container in the foot hills or Western Slope is much less common. If you're on the Western Slope of Colorado it may be easier, and less expensive, to reposition a shipping container from Salt Lake City, UT.

Find Shipping Containers in Colorado

What are shipping containers used for in Colorado?

Shipping containers are used primarily for ranch, farm or job-site storage units. On the Western Slope, containers are often used for oil field storage, where they can be dropped near drilling platforms and used as a secure place to store equipment (note: if purchasing a used shipping container, you may need to buy a special bolt on lock box for shipping containers) Converting shipping containers into modular homes has increased in popularity over the recent years as designs have improved and off the grid housing has become more accepted.

Why are Shipping Containers Popular for Storage?

Shipping containers make great storage facilities because they're cheap and affordable, they set up quickly, often instantly depending on your needs, and they stand up well against the harsh sun, wind, rain and snow that can be common in part of Colorado.
Shipping containers can be repurposed for just about any use, and the quick changes of weather in Colorado, dry climate, and remote storage needs all benefit from this type of product. If you need help finding shipping containers in Colorado you can find them on ColoradoShippingContainers.com. ColoradoShippingContainers.com has a regular supply of containers and sells them at cheap, wholesale prices.

New Shipping Container vs. Used Shipping Container - Security Difference

One of the biggest differences between new and used shipping containers is the lack of a lock box.  Many new / one trip containers come factory equipped with a lock box, while a used container of any age rarely comes with a lock box.  The primary reason is cost, and shipping lines and leasing companies try to keep the container as strong and cheap as possible - afterall, they're going to be the ones using it for 10-12 years.

A lock box on a new shipping container is a great selling feature (along with the fresh paint, clean lines, and leather upholstery).  And having it installed at a factory in China is cheaper than having it installed at a depot in (Los Angeles, New York, Houston, [insert port/depot here].

That being said, if you've purchase a new or used shipping container that isn't equipped with a lock box, don't fret, they can be easily installed either at the depot on at your location.  Check this site if you're looking for more information on shipping container parts and bolt on lock boxes.

Buy a Cheap Shipping Container in Texas

Everything’s bigger in Texas, and the deals on cheap shipping containers are no different. The shipping containers are Texas sized, not the cheap pole barns or back yard wooden sheds that you’ll find at the home depot. These are the Texas sized 20’ and 40’ containers that are big enough to park toys like ATVs, motorcycles, even all of your tack gear, and the cheapest shipping and storage containers can be found being sold at auction on ContainerAuction.com.

Hunting Lodge Shipping Container

If you’re looking for a storage unit for your ranch, or a sleeping shelter or cabin for your deer hunting lease, a shipping container is a great option. The structure installs quickly and easily, is wind and water tight, and it’s very secure. The inside can be modified with sleeping bunks or cots, kitchen equipment, or a fancy camp kitchen. If you position it properly you could build a deer stand on the top of it.

Oil Field Office or Storage Locker

There’s lots of valuable equipment used by oil fields, and it’s big an heavy to move from site to site. By dropping a 20’ or 40’ shipping container on-site, and giving it a bolt on container lock box means that your gear will be safe and secure until the next time that it’s needed. Shipping containers are designed for long term security, and a shipping container makes an excellent storage solution on a remote location.

Where to Buy Cheap Shipping Containers in Texas?

Shipping containers are the cheapest around major cities or ports. Dallas, Houston, and El Paso have some of the best deals on containers. In the metropolitan areas of these cities you can find new and used 20’ containers, 40’ containers, and 40’ high cube containers. The length of the containers is either 20’ or 40’, the width is always 8’ wide, and a standard container is 8’6” tall while a high cube container is 9’6” tall.

	Search here for shipping containers for sale in El Paso.
	Search here for shipping containers for sale in Dallas.
	Search here for shipping containers for sale in Houston.

You can find shipping container auctions throughout the Texas, the United States, and the World on ContainerAuction.com.

Preppers and Shipping Container Bug Out Shelters

Calling all preppers and survivalists, have you considered using a shipping container for your bug out shelter?  If not, it might be a good idea - less/no permits for building, quick/solid construction, and it will last a long time!

We try and keep you up to date on the latest ideas and designs, and while this article doesn't go into detail (most preppers are pretty private anyway...), it does form a good starting point for discussion:

Read more about shipping container shelters.

Storm Shelters and Survival Bunkers

We take several questions a month from people interested in converting them into storm shelters and survival bunkers.  Overall, shipping containers make a very good building block for these types of projects for many reasons.  Shipping containers are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, the interior can be modified to meet almost any type of project, and they're affordable and readily available almost anywhere you need them.

Read more about storm shelters and survival bunkers.

Standard ISO and Non-Standard Shipping Container Sizes

Anyone who's shopped for a shipping container or works around them is aware of the conventional 20' and 40' containers sizes, but what many people don't know is how and why other container sizes are used and occasionally available in the market. Non-international sizes like 10', 48', and 53' shipping containers are common in some markets, although their size limits their international mobility and usage.

Read more about shipping containers for sale.

One Trip Shipping Containers - Cheap, affordable storage

New and used shipping containers have been available in the market for both retail and commercial buyers for years.  While the are basically the same, there are differences that you must consider before purchasing or renting one.

How long do you need to used the container?

Used shipping containers are typically 12-15 years old and, while they are typically solid containers, they are no longer structurally handle rigors of intermodal shipping and transportation.  One trip containers are normally less than one year old, and have only been used one time (hence the name "one trip").

If you need the storage container for less than 12-18 months, it may make more sense to rent a unit.  If you need the unit for a longer period of time, save 5 years, a used container may work well.  If the storage container is needed for longer than 5 years it could make sense to purchase a new, one trip container.

ContainerAuction.com provides a great spreadsheet that can help you to analyze the cost benefit of renting vs. buying a shipping container.

Does it matter what the container looks like?

New containers are similar to a new car.  They have fresh paint that's typically a solid color (commonly tan, ivory, blue, or red).  They have no structural damage, dents or dings, and require little/no touch ups to the paint.

Used containers are typically marked with the name of the shipping line and the agreement of sale may require that the container is "neutralized", so you will be required to paint the container (either entirely, or just over the name of the shipping line).  Having a used shipping container painted can cost anywhere from $500-$1000 or more, depending on the size and location.

Mechanics:  Doors and Lockboxes.

Used containers may have some rust, and due to years of use the doors may not swing as easy as a new, one trip shipping container.  If you require that the doors swing easily you may want to purchase a new shipping container.

If you require a shipping container lock box, most one trip containers come equipped with them; while used containers don't normally have them installed.  Bolt on lock boxes for shipping containers are available.