Container leasing and rental services let you choose the size and type of container you want, along with any extras, but these options can cost you more money. How much you'll end up paying for storage container rentals varies greatly. For instance, a bare-bones refurbished model is generally much cheaper than a custom-designed new container rental.

Factors that determine your container leasing or rental's cost include size, condition, modifications and whether you're leasing or renting. Along with these factors, you should also consider maintenance and moving costs, as well as the cost of reversing any modifications before you return the lease or rental.

1. The amount of time you end up leasing or renting a container for can effect your price tag. Renting for longer periods is generally cheaper than renting for just a few days or weeks.

2. The more options you add, like security features, shelving and other extras, the more your unit will cost. If you need special features or customization, be sure to factor those in.

3. Size matters when picking a container rental. The larger the container's size, the more you'll pay in rental fees, customization and shipping.

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Rent a used or refurbished container from container leasing companies

Used and refurbished container renting is usually cheaper, because container leasing services can buy up models used by hauling companies to transport goods. Although these models generally show some wear and tear, most rental companies clean them out and repaint them so that the container looks presentable. Used and refurbished containers may have dents, scratches and other imperfections that come from everyday use, but they still work well for most needs. You can expect to pay anywhere from $40 to $140 a month on a used or refurbished container rental.

I recommend: Pick up a used or refurbished container from the Advanced Container Service, or get one from Surplus Containers.

Choose a new container rental or lease for more options

Some container leasing companies rent out new containers, constructed or customized specifically for certain roles. Often, these units are optimized to work as a file storage unit, extra office or tool storage. New containers are usually more expensive to rent and lease than used or refurbished containers. This is because they are generally in better condition and allow more customization. New container rentals can cost about $50 to $200 a month. For custom-built units, it's best to ask for details about the pricing and costs of container leasing and rental services.

I recommend: Rent a new and customizable container from the Container Outlet, or check out the rental models available from ACS Reclamation and Recovery.

Consider shipping costs for your container rental unit

Most shipping container rental services charge a fee for delivery. Unlike buying a container, you'll have eventually have to pay for it to be returned too. Always agree on container shipping costs in advance, to prevent surprise fees when the time comes to return it. Shipping your container rental or lease can cost $150 to $300, although prices vary greatly depending on which company you choose. Sometimes, the cost of delivery is included in the rental price. Occasionally a company may offer free delivery with an extended lease.

I recommend: Check out the shipping rates and policy of AT&S Portable Storage Container Delivery or ask Sun Pac Containers about its shipping guarantee.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A container leasing company may charge extra if the container rental is returned dirty, altered or with things inside. It may even charge extra shipping costs if the items in your unit push it over a certain weight. To avoid this type of fee, always remove items from your unit and clean it before returning your container. Ask permission before drilling holes or making other alterations.

It's time to contact a container leasing company when: Your excess inventory, equipment, files, supplies or tools drive you crazy every time you see them without a proper home...You've run out of storage space at your office—you can't see the ceilings or walls in all your existing closets and other storage spaces but you can't move, and you can't afford new construction.

Container leasing companies provide services that really simplify the process for you. Online, you simply identify your type of business, purpose for storage and size of container(s) needed. The container leasing company then gives you a prompt and usually free quote. You will pay for delivery and removal of your containers, but attempt negotiation of those fees before you commit to a price.

Identify the following criteria before you schedule a container rental:

1. Why are you renting a container?

2. How long will you need the container leasing period for?

3. What's the best deal from a container leasing company?

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Consider all the ways you can use storage container rentals

Why you need a container rental determines what type of container you need, and you'll find several different options available. The container renting company you select may provide you with options for paint, shelving, doors, ventilation systems, cold storage and ramps.

I recommend: Check out the RCS Group for availability of dry storage containers, refrigerated containers and mobile offices, and while you're there you can scroll over examples of their previous customizations. Take a look at 360MobileOffice if you need temporary office or classroom space or if you're just looking at storage containers.

Decide how long you'll need the container rental

Container renting companies rent out containers for a day, a week or on a long-term basis. If you commit to one year or longer, see if you can negotiate away any delivery or removal fees. If you're considering shipping containers for lease or rent, know many companies provide one-way shipping options. Additionally, if you're planning on a long-term rental, know that some container leasing services offer lease-to-own plans.

I recommend: Visit Container Network Corporation where you can find container companies to compare prices and preferences.

Compare several container leasing and rental services before you sign up

You'll find dozens of storage container leasing and rental services and shipping container rental services the moment you begin your search.

I recommend: You can find a local container leasing company in your own area if you prefer, or try some of the websites that allow you to compare quotes. Start with Prefab Comparison and B2B-Exchange.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Figure out the dimensions you need to work with before pursuing storage container rentals. Besides the storage space you need, think about your space requirements for getting your container to its destination (gates or doors the container must pass through, for example). Standard 8' wide containers will suffice in most instances, but you can also find different heights, widths and depths that meet your needs

Container leasing companies are facilities that rent or lease small and large portable storage spaces. They are usually made of steel and delivered to your home or business. Most companies have an assortment of models to choose from, so you can pick the one that pleases you most.

These spaces can often be customized with features like shelving, ventilation, ramps and more. Container rentals vary in size and available features. Many container leasing and rental services offer a range of sizes and extra options to customize your container leasing or rental. Here are some things to consider for making the most of container leasing and rental services:

1. Renting a container may require a lengthy commitment on your part. Some services allow you to rent by day, week or month, while others are less flexible.

2. Sometimes a container leasing company will offer a rent-to-own service. You pay rental fees while container renting, and gradually pay money towards your container.

3. Many container rental services sell units suited to a particular purpose. For instance, refrigerated units and those set up like office space are often sold.

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Choose larger container rental models with organization solutions for inventory storage

If your business needs more inventory or document storage, a large container rental with lots of shelving, drawers and other organizational tools will probably fit your needs best. Many companies will install additional shelving and storage inside your storage container rentals before shipping them to your business or home. This extra-organized space can help simplify the task of packing your storage unit.

I recommend: Check out the advanced storage solutions available from Great Lakes Kwik Space, or choose an extra-large container rental model from the Compass Container Group.

Invest in security features for your container rentals

Features like concealed lever locks and multiple security bars can keep your container rental safe. Although most companies charge extra for enhanced security features, protecting your stored documents, inventory or materials can be worth the small fee. Some shipping container rental services even offer extras like drill-resistant locks.

I recommend: Take advantage of the security options from TRS Containers, or check out the additional security measures available from AAA Containers & Equipment.

Make sure your container rental has large enough doors for your needs

While some container rental models offer extra wide doors for large object storage, most standard containers come with medium-sized doors. This isn't a problem if you're just storing papers or small objects, but it can be an issue when you want to store larger items, like furniture. Always measure your largest storage item's length and width and shop for container storage with that in mind.

I recommend: Get models with large doors from BOXWEB, or look at the double-door models available from Tropical Trailer Leasing.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Customized container rental models are often available. Some companies will let you alter everything from container size to the number of windows, air vents, ventilation and flooring. This lets you to create whatever space you wish with your container. Making the most of container leasing and rental services couldn't be easier.

Leasing or renting a container, either for storage or transportation, requires the understanding of several key terms. Containers vary by size, the point of entry, the type of transportation they are geared for and even the type of product that will be housed within them. A knowledge of the terminology associated with these considerations is important, because there are so many options in the container industry. In addition, certain unique terminology pertaining to container weight could greatly impact your rental costs.

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Temperature control

Refrigerated or temperature-controlled storage containers are ideal for those in the catering business or those who need to transport items that will suffer if exposed to variant temperatures. Caterers, food companies and even pharmaceutical companies often rent refrigerated containers to transport their wares. Fresh items like fruits and vegetables are often transported from farms to the distribution company using temperature-controlled storage containers.

I recommend: Portable Cold Storage rents refrigerated containers in which temperatures can range from -15 to 75 degrees Farenheit.

Specialized container transport

Certain cargoes, such as cars and even certain chemicals, cannot be transported using a one-size-fits-all container. These types of cargo are thus labeled 'specialized.' It is important that your container rental or leasing company is an expert in specialized container transport.

I recommend: Google Book Search contains page views of "Maritime Economics E3" by Martin Stopford, which discusses the history of specialized container transport.

Container dimensions

Your rental or leasing rate will depend, in part, on your container dimensions. In the transport industry, many measurements are taken of the container, including the inside length and height as well as the door dimensions and even the cargo capacity.

I recommend: Foreign Trade On-Line lists the dimensions of various shipping containers.

Tare weight

A container's tare weight (TW), its weight when empty, will also impact its price. This is because, when it comes to shipping and transport, every pound counts. The heavier the tare weight and its weight after loading, the more you can expect to pay as part of your rental or leasing agreement.

I recommend: EXPORT911 further defines a container's tare weight and also lists alternative terms that are synonymous.

Container tracking

Container tracking services are add-on services that can be included in your rental or leasing agreement. A tracking system placed on your container will allow it to be located in the event it is lost in transit.

I recommend: Container And Pooling Solutions offers container tracking as part of its container rental services.

Payload

Payload is the maximum allowed weight for a container. It is calculated by subtracting the tare weight from the container's rating (the total weight of the container plus it's goods). Similar to tare weight, the higher your payload the more you will pay when you rent or lease a container.

I recommend: JCtrans Technology provides a workable definition of container payloads.