Here at Unit Hire, we have plenty of containers available to suit any of our customers’ particular needs. With us, you have the opportunity to either buy or rent any of our containers, and there are plenty of reasons why this would be a difficult decision when it comes to your self-storage needs.nnIn this article, we’ll be examining both options and the main points of contention you’ll have to deal with when making your choice. Shipping container prices may be the factor most likely to push you in one direction or the other, but there are a number of factors we’ll address that you should definitely consider.n
Modification
nContainers are fantastic in a number of ways, and we just love talking about all the ways in which they can be modified. Whether you simply want to add some shelving to better utilise the space available, or if you’re considering turning your container into a business, there’s a lot you can do. When it comes to self-storage, these modifications will usually only take the form of installing lighting, shelving or insulation. Of course, this can only be done if you own the container outright.nnDespite this, at Unit Hire, we rent out a variety of containers that have already been pre-modified. That means that those shelved or insulated containers can be rented in the short term and with ease. Rent a container with Unit Hire and you can rest easy knowing that there won’t be any container-based DIY projects in the future.n
Disposal
nDisposing of a 20-foot long metal box is never a particularly straightforward task, even with our guide that elaborates on the different ways to get rid of a container, you could still have your work cut out. If you buy a container, when the time comes to get rid of it, you’ll have to find someone to buy it and find a company to take away the boxy behemoth – more often than not at a substantial loss.nnOf course, if you don’t actually own your container, it’s very straightforward to get rid of it. Once your rental period reaches its conclusion, the company lending it to you will organise the pick up. While you won’t get any money back – as you may have done if you owned the container – the convenience aspect of the disposal can make hiring a container the superior option depending on your situation.n
Time & cost
nShipping container prices, just the general costs of any self-storage unit, in fact, is likely to be the main factor that sways you towards buying or renting a container. Simply put, buying a container is better for longer storage solutions, while renting is the preferable option if you’ll only be storing goods for a short amount of time.nnWhen buying, the initial cost of a container will be higher, but you’ll be able to utilise the container as much and for as long as you need. If you’re planning on long-term storage on one site – perhaps for a home renovation or another project that could take over two years – then buying a container is likely to be the best option for you.nnOn the other hand, if you have a shorter storage project, it’s far more cost-effective to rent a container. This is amplified further if you imagine that you will be moving sites in the near future. For example, it would be effectively pointless to outright buy a container for storage on a worksite that will only be in use for a matter of months. Instead, renting gives you a cheaper, more flexible option that makes more sense for the situation.nn nnWhether you’re looking to rent or buy a container, the friendly Unit Hire team are here to help. Contact us today for a quote.