An average storefront lease can cost about $23 per square foot per month. A 200 square foot store could then cost $4,600 to lease.

However, you can find many steel shipping containers for around that price. But you’ll only need to pay for it once.

Common Uses For Steel Shipping Containers

If you want to start a business, you can do so with steel shipping containers. You can set up a physical location for your business, but it won’t cost as much as a lease.

Businesses of all kinds can set up a shipping container as an office or store. Whether you run an online business or a clothing store, you can use shipping containers.

Other great uses for steel shipping containers include selling books and offering hair and nail services.

You can find cheap steel shipping containers, and you can decorate the inside and outside to fit your business. Once you find a place to park your container, you can start taking customers.

Features Available in Steel Storage Containers

You can find steel shipping containers in all sizes. Whether you need a small office for you or a large shop, you can find one that fits your needs.

Some shipping containers are as short as 10 feet, while others are around 45 feet long. Many steel shipping containers are about 8 to 10 feet wide, and they’re about 8 feet 6 inches tall.

You can look for steel shipping containers that connect to a trailer van so that you can move it. A good quality door is also nice to have easy access in and out of the container.

If you have temperature-sensitive inventory, you should also look for ventilation and climate control. That way, you can maintain the right temperature to keep everything in good condition.

Types of Steel Shipping Containers

You should also consider what type of steel shipping containers you need. If you want to run your business out of one, you should look for a normal container.

But if you need shipping containers to store or transport things, you can look for other types.

Standard Containers

Normal steel shipping containers are great for general use. You can set up an office or store inside of them, but you can also store excess inventory and supplies.

A normal container won’t necessarily keep your items cool or hot. However, you may not need serious climate control depending on your business.

Steel Refrigerated Containers

If you plan on working with or storing food for your business, you should get some refrigerated shipping containers. You can keep your food cold so that it won’t go bad.

Refrigerated steel shipping containers look like normal ones from the outside. But they have a lower inside temperature than a traditional model.

Steel Insulated Containers

Sometimes, you need to keep items cold or hot, so you can use insulated containers. These containers have some sort of material, like styrofoam to protect the contents.

They can be especially useful if you work with food and drinks. A well-insulated shipping container can be less expensive than a refrigerator option.

Modified Containers

If you want custom steel shipping containers, you can get those. Steel shipping container companies can modify the design to fit your needs.

You can add windows, change the color, and more. While modified shipping containers can cost more, it may be worth it if you’ll be using them as your office or storefront.

Buying vs. Renting Steel Shipping Containers

When looking at steel shipping containers for sale, you may consider renting over buying. Renting shipping containers is more cost-effective for a short-term pop-up shop.

You can rent the container for the season and return it later. Renting is also smart if you aren’t sure if you want to use shipping containers for your office.

However, if you know you want to use steel shipping containers long-term, you should look into buying.

You can find cheap steel shipping containers, and you can buy them new or used. A used option is great if you’re on a budget, and you can still get a good quality container.

Buying is also a good option if you plan on using the shipping containers for your store. If you rent and have to give the containers back, you’ll need to shut down your store to move everything.

Do I Need a Permit to Put a Steel Storage Container On-Site?

When considering the cost of using steel shipping containers, you should consider permits. Permit requirements vary by location, so you should contact your local government for specifics.

A short-term pop-up shop may only need a temporary use permit. But if your container will get a lot of visitors, you will need something more long-term.

Placing your steel shipping container in a residential area to attract more customers can be great. However, you’ll need to comply with residential as well as commercial zoning laws.

In most cases, you will need a permit to put steel storage containers on site. Even if you don’t need a permit, it doesn’t hurt to have one.

Steel Shipping Container Warranties

When looking to buy or rent steel shipping containers, you should consider their warranties. Some fantastic containers have shorter or longer warranty periods.

A long warranty isn’t always better, but it can be nice to have. If something breaks or goes wrong, you can use the warranty to pay for the damage.

But you should also consider what the warranty covers. A lifetime warranty doesn’t do much if it doesn’t cover most wear and tear or other issues.

On the other hand, a full warranty that lasts a year can be much better for your steel shipping containers. Consider how you’ll use the containers to decide what type of warranty you’ll need.

Choosing the Best Steel Shipping Containers

Steel shipping containers are excellent tools for many businesses. You can use them to store excess food or inventory. But you can also use them as your entire physical location.

Before you choose a shipping container, consider how you’ll use it and the features you need. Then, you can determine if you should buy or rent and if you need a permit.

Are you looking for steel shipping containers? Contact us to learn more about our selection.

Now that you know some of the advantages of metal shipping containers, you’re ready to take the first step towards buying or renting your own.