WEBINAR Q&A: Top 5 ways to increase revenue at your facility with storage containers

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Below is the list of Answers to the Questions asked during the April 18, 2018 Industry Webinar with Laura Brooks from Boxwell. If you missed the webinar you may watch it on-demand from the SiteLink website.

Q. Can you customize the containers with insulation or air conditioning?
A. Yes, there are options to customize the unit for specific uses, such as an office or a “man-cave.” For example, you can insulate the entire container or just the roof. Cutouts can be made for window-type air-conditioning units. You can also modify the containers for plumbing and electric.

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Q. What is the typical lifespan of a container?
A. As a general rule, a container can have a useful life of 20+ years as long as you’re taking good care of it. Care and maintenance are very important, such as checking for paint touch-ups so you don’t have to worry about rusting and other problems.  

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Q. Do we purchase the containers or do we rent or lease them?
A. It depends on the company you’re working with. Typically, you would purchase the containers. Some companies will finance them as equipment. Most companies purchase them outright.

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Q. What kind of warranty do these units have?
A. It depends on the manufacturer. A 1-year warranty is typical for the container itself. Sometimes there are extra warranties for paint, decals, etc.

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Q. Can you store a vehicle in the container?
A. Yes, you can store a car in a container if you can get it in there. You may want a container at least 10 feet wide, which can be manufactured, in order to be able to open the car door or to get a larger vehicle in. There are customers who use the containers for storing snowmobiles, motorcycles, 4-wheelers, etc.

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Q. How much does a typical storage container cost?
A. It depends on what you’re looking for. For a ballpark cost, it can be anywhere from $2,500 to $4,500 depending on how you are using the units and what options you want. For self-storage use, containers can run anywhere from $18 to $22 per sq ft.

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Q. How have the steel tariffs affected pricing?
A. No, so far the steel tariffs have not affected the container business. That’s because they are a complete product when they are shipped from China. The steel tariffs have had an impact on construction costs, such as if you were building a steel building and creating units that way. This is another great reason why portable storage containers are a good option.

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Q. What are the measurements of the units?
A. The units measure 8 ft. wide, 8 ft. high and then either 8, 12, 16 or 20 ft. long. Also keep in mind that when these containers are manufactured, the lead time is anywhere from 8-12 weeks, depending on the manufacturer.

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Q. We are located in a hurricane-prone area. Is there a way to anchor the units to the ground?
A. Yes. In this scenario, containers would be customized to fit hurricane-rated anchors that would be embedded into a concrete pad underneath the container. 

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Here are the results from the poll taken during the webinar: