When you plan to obtain a storage container, the first thing that should come to your mind is whether you should buy one or rather rent it.
As with most businesses out there, owners mostly like to rent such containers instead of buying. This is because it’s a much more affordable and convenient process rather than going outright to buy one.
Not every business owner out there wants a huge steel container at the business premises – gathering useful space that can be used for other reasons.
Therefore, before you start shopping on truck hire and storage in West Auckland services, it’s always a better idea to first know some of the helpful tips and tricks which can help you in getting a better deal for your money.
You don’t want to commit a rental mistake which you’ll regret later on.
Read our another article on Top 12 Amazing and Innovative Uses of Shipping Containers.
Tips and Tricks When Renting Storage Containers
Looking Out for Permits
The requirements on which you’ll be given permit will depend on the city you’re based in along with the country and pin codes as well.
Most of the time if the container that you’re obtaining will not be for permanent usage, you’ll need to obtain a license for temporary permit usage.
However, in some cases, you don’t even need a permit at all. Thus, you need to check with the local authorities regarding the same.
The rule of thumb is that, if your property is near an area that is residential, the requirements for permitting will very much be stricter. This is because the residents of the place will not like you use your container for your usage while blocking their view or even restricting their daily chores.
But, if the area that you’re operating in is placed inside a rural or a low-traffic place, then the requirements will be much more flexible than usual.
Of course, the requirements will vary from place and place, and you’ll need confirmation on the same too.
This is the reason why local suppliers for containers will let you know about the requirements first-hand so that you don’t have to worry later on.
Checking the Delivery Charge
One of the places where the hidden fees can easily add up is the delivery charges of the container – provided by the supplier.
The charges will be determined according to the container size you’re renting and also the distance that the supplier has to cover to get to that place. The greater the distance and size, the more you have to pay – it’s directly proportional to the same.
There will be many suppliers out there who will charge you a flat fee if the distance is within a particular radius and then increase the costs upon every 5 or 10-mile radius.
Therefore, it’s absolutely crucial to get the quotes first and then decide upon the supplier. It’s always better to get quotes from multiple suppliers so that you’ll have the means for comparison.
Ensure that you go with the one that is charging you the most reasonable prices yet providing you with good service as well.
Deciding the Length Of The Renting Period
There will be numerous storage container suppliers out there which will provide you with better rates in case you opt for a longer contract.
If you’re not sure about the time for which you’ll be needing the container, then the best move would be to proceed for a month-to-month contract basis.
Always ensure that you know the time for any advance notice that you’ll need to provide to the renting company for the termination of the contract – otherwise you’ll be paying hefty fines in return.
Deciding on The Overall Size Of The Container
It should be noted that storage containers mainly come in two different sizes (length-wise):
- 20-Feet Length
- 40-Feet Length
However, you can also find some suppliers who will provide you with customized sizes as well. These custom sizes are generally created by welding containers together (if you need a bigger size) or cutting down containers (if you need a smaller size).
It should be remembered that these custom-sized containers will cost more because of the obvious extra work that is being spent upon them. Therefore, you need to decide whether you’re ready to pay the extra.
In case you’re unsure regarding the size of the container, you can contact your nearest supplier and discuss the same with the professionals. They have many years of experience in this field and will, therefore, be able to guide you in a better manner.
Looking Out for The Features
There are multiple suppliers out there who will provide you with extra add-on features, by charging an additional fee over the standard hiring charge.
The following are some of the popular features that you can look into:
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Mechanism Supporting Lockdown Feature
Even though most containers will come with their standard locking procedure, you can still opt for a better locking mechanism, if such option is available with the supplier.
When you compare the same with the standard locking mechanism, this advanced mechanism will require a key to open the internal lock – meaning that it can’t be broken via an outside force.
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Different Door Mechanisms
Depending upon the type of supplier you plan to choose, you’ll have options to select between a single door option or a double door entry.
For instance, if you plan on using the container often, then hiring a double door storage container would be a better option. But, if you’re planning on using it sporadically, then proceed with a single door option.
Material Used for Container’s Construction
Before renting your storage container, it’s extremely crucial to check whether the material – that has been used in such a construction will be able to resist any corrosion.
The material should, therefore, be corrosion-resistant, like using corten steel.
Corten steel is greatly resistant to any environmental corrosion and also has a brilliant chemical composition as well – when you compare it to other types of materials used for storage container construction.
