Short-term container rental
Need a container for a few days, weeks, or months? Delivery subject to supplier availability, decreasing rates based on duration, hassle-free return. We explain the 2026 tariffs and when it makes sense.
Short-term tariffs 2026
| Duration | 20 feet dry | 40 ft dry | 20 ft reefer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 week | £35 – £102 | £50 – £142 | £100 – £315 |
| 2 weeks | £55 – £158 | £80 – £221 | £166 – £512 |
| 1 month | £70 – £197 | £100 – £260 | £226 – £709 |
| 2 months | £136 – £378 | £196 – £504 | £427 – £1,339 |
| 3 months | £196 – £551 | £281 – £740 | £602 – £1,890 |
Rental price excluding delivery and return (£315 – £735). Delivery often represents the largest cost for shorter durations — factor this into your overall budget.
When to choose short-term rental?
- Moving transition — 2 to 8 weeks between two residences. Temporary storage of furniture.
- Home renovation — renovation, painting, transformation: empty a room or the garage.
- One-off Event — festival, fair, filming, countryside wedding: 3 to 21 days.
- Logistics Crisis — unexpected peak of activity, stock overflow, supplier delivery delay.
- Trial Before Purchase — some customers rent for 2-3 months to validate usage before committing to a long-term purchase.
Contract Extension: How Does It Work?
Contract extension is a common practice in short-term rental. The most frequent reasons are an overrun on the construction site, a delayed move, or an event that extends beyond its initial timeframe. Here's how rental companies handle these situations.
Short Extension (+1 to 4 weeks)
The current duration tier rate is applied to the extension period. Example: for a one-month package extended by two weeks, the additional fortnight is charged at a pro-rata of the monthly rate. Must be announced at least 72 hours before the return date to avoid lost delivery fees (£105 – £315 flat loss).
Medium Extension (1-3 months)
Check whether the contract provides automatic or agreed extensions, the applicable rate and notice period. Obtain written confirmation before expiry; availability and conversion to another rate are not guaranteed. Model reference for medium-term rental: £50 – £142 for a 20-foot unit; confirm in the contract.
Long-term extension (3-12 months)
Switch to a long-term contract with reduced monthly rate (£40 – £110 for a 20-foot container), notice period of 30-60 days. At this stage, renegotiate the price — you have earned long-term customer status. Systematically request a discount of 5 to 15 per cent compared to the public catalogue.
Beyond 12 months: reassess the decision
Compare buying and renting over the period you need the container. Include the purchase price or rent, delivery and collection, maintenance, insurance and financing. If you plan to resell it, use a cautious estimate: the resale value is not guaranteed. There is no number of months after which one option is always cheaper. Use quotes for your market to do the calculation. Indicative figures to confirm in the quote: £50, £1,255.
TCO: when short-term rental becomes more expensive than medium or long term?
The short-term tariff is structurally higher per month than the medium or long-term rates. Here’s at what point it becomes profitable to negotiate a higher tariff level — simulation on a 20-foot dry container, long-term rate at £50 per month.
| Effective duration | Cumulative short term | Cumulative medium / long term | Economic switch point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | £115 | — | Short stay OK |
| 2 months | £231 | — | Short stay OK |
| 3 months | £346 | £201 (average £67 × 3) | −£135 (−39 %) |
| 6 months | £693 | £422 (average) | −£271 (−39 %) |
| 12 months | £1,386 | £843 (average) | −£543 (−39 %) |
| 12 months (long term) | £1,386 | £602 (long term ≈£50.20 × 12) | −£784 (−57 %) |
Estimate the actual duration required and compare full short-, medium- and long-term quotations, including extensions and return. The thresholds in the scenario above are calculation assumptions, not a rule for all suppliers. Obtain written terms before choosing or negotiating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'short term' in container rental?+
Short-term hire serves a temporary need. Agree minimum duration, daily or weekly billing and extensions with the rental supplier; transport charges can be significant over a short period.
Why is the short term more expensive per month?+
The supplier must cover the logistics of delivery + return over fewer months. Transport round-trip £315 – £735, handling, cleaning between rentals, availability of a module ready at the depot: these fixed costs are amortised over fewer months, hence higher monthly rates. Example: 20ft dry £40 – £110 for long-term rental, £115 for short term. The difference is justified financially.
How much does it cost for just one week?+
For a 20ft dry container: £35 – £102 per week (excluding round-trip delivery £315 – £735). For a 40ft container: £50 – £142/week. For a reefer: £100 – £315/week (excluding generator). Note: for ultra-short-term rentals, the cost of delivery can exceed the rental fee — to be factored into economic assessment.
In which cases is short term rental profitable?+
Compare buying and renting over the period you need the container. Include the purchase price or rent, delivery and collection, maintenance, insurance and financing. If you plan to resell it, use a cautious estimate: the resale value is not guaranteed. There is no number of months after which one option is always cheaper. Use quotes for your market to do the calculation.
Can a short term rental be extended during the contract?+
Check whether the contract provides automatic or agreed extensions, the applicable rate and notice period. Obtain written confirmation before expiry; availability and conversion to another rate are not guaranteed. Indicative weekly model reference for 20 feet, confirm terms: £35 – £102.
Urgent need?
You may receive up to 5 quotes, depending on the container, delivery area and available suppliers. Suppliers decide whether and when to reply, so we cannot guarantee 5 replies or a fixed response time.