How to choose your container — decision tree
A good choice of container always starts with the same questions. We offer you the decision tree we use internally to help our first customers decide between the 12 possible combinations (format × condition × purchase/rental).
Step 1 — What usage?
- Pure storage (tools, archives, self-storage) → 20 or 40 feet dry, Grade A or B used.
- Habitable fit-out (tiny house, office, commerce) → 40 ft HC, brand new or one-trip.
- Construction site accommodation unit (changing room, sanitary unit, construction site office) → portable cabin or 20 ft dry used WWT.
- Cold chain management (agro, pharma, event) → reefer, prefer rental unless regular intensive use.
- Unusual use (pool, tank, bulky load) → converted container, flat rack or open top.
- Marine transport → new or one-trip with a valid CSC stamp.
Step 2 — What duration of use?
- Less than 3 months → short-term rental (even if it's more expensive per month, cheaper in total than purchase + resale).
- 3 to 18 months → medium-term rental (£80-£100/month for a 20ft dry container).
- 18 to 24 months → grey zone, purchasing used Grade B and reselling becomes cost equivalent with more flexibility.
- More than 24 months → more profitable purchase, an asset that retains 50-70% of its value after 10 years.
- Permanent use (residential, commercial) → systematic purchase, regardless of the displayed duration. The container becomes part of your real estate asset.
Step 3 — What condition?
- Brand new: visible retail display, exposed residential space, pharmaceutical chain. Pay the difference.
- One-trip: habitable conversion, office, commercial use — best value for money.
- Grade A used: professional storage, workshop, site cabin, light fitting-out (garage, shelter).
- Grade B used: non-visible storage from public road, construction site, economical use.
- Grade C used: temporary only, or if you can inspect before purchase.
Step 4 — What format?
- Volume < 15 m³ → 10 feet or 20 feet (the 10 feet is rare, prefer the standard 20).
- Volume 15-33 m³ → 20 feet dry.
- Volume 33-60 m³ → 40 feet standard.
- Volume 60-80 m³ → 40 feet high cube (always HC for conversion).
- Need height > 2,50 m interior → HC obligatory.
- Large cargo exceeding 2,38 m in width → flat rack or open top.
- Cold / temperature-sensitive goods → reefer.
The 3 classic mistakes to avoid
Under-sizing
Buying a 20 ft container to save £1,000 and ending up saturated in 6 months. Cost: repurchasing a second container + delivery = £3,000 lost.
Choosing standard for accommodation
Saving £500 on the HC only to end up living under 2,20 m of ceiling once insulated. Impossible to correct afterwards.
Accepting the first quote
Average difference observed between 5 quotes for the same need: 25-35 %. Not comparing costs can cost hundreds to thousands of pounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What questions should I ask before choosing?+
Five questions in order. (1) Usage: storage, conversion, transport, refrigeration? (2) Duration expected: < 18 months → rental ; > 18 months → purchase. (3) Volume / surface area needed: determines 20 or 40 feet. (4) Aesthetic use visible or not: visible → brand new or one-trip ; non-visible → Grade B used. (5) Accessibility of delivery location: conditions logistics options.
I really don't know what to choose, how do I decide?+
By default, our recommendation for 70% of cases: a 40-foot high cube one-trip container. It's the most versatile format (67-76 m³), the most comfortable height (2.70 m interior), and offers the best quality/price ratio (-15% vs new for 95% of quality). Inappropriate only if your volume is < 15 m³ (then a 20-foot container suffices) or if you need a reefer, open top, or flat rack.
How do I choose between one large container and several smaller ones?+
Economic rule: a 40-foot container costs 20 to 30% less than two 20-foot containers at equivalent volume, and delivery is half the price. Practical rule: two 20-foot containers offer more flexibility (separate placements, independent resale, easier transport). Choose one 40-foot container if your project is unified, two 20-foot containers if you want to keep some flexibility.
Are there really significant price differences between suppliers?+
Yes, often more than expected. On our initial data, the difference between the lowest and highest prices for the same need typically reaches 25 to 35%. For a 40-foot container averaging £3,800, that represents an £1,300 price difference — sometimes higher, sometimes lower. Never accept the first quote without at least two other comparisons.
How long does it take to make a shipping container purchase decision?+
For professionals who have already purchased: 1 to 3 days (quick comparison of quotes, signature). For individuals or first-time buyers: on average 1 to 3 weeks (research, comparison, reflection, possibly visiting a depot). Serious suppliers accept blocking their stock for 5 to 10 days to allow you to decide without pressure.