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Get Prices Now!Should You Rent or Buy a Portable Storage Container?
Deciding if you should rent or buy a portable storage container really depends on your storage needs, including the length of time you’ll need storage and whether or not you have space to keep a BigSteelBox on your property long-term.
Based on BigSteelBox current rental rates and sale pricing for a new shipping container, the break even point is just over two years in most cities. So, if you know you’ll need storage for longer than 2.5 years, you’re probably already considering whether or not you would be better off buying a portable storage container.
While the math is pretty straight-forward, there are other things to take into consideration that might make renting a storage container a more attractive option. The table below summarizes the key factors to consider when choosing a storage solution, and provides approximate pricing. Please note that prices vary by location, so the information below is an average.
Call us at 1-800-373-1187 today for pricing in your city and to discuss your options with one of our experienced Storage Consultants, or get a price for portable storage online.
| 20' BigSteelBox | Rent | Buy New | Premium Used | Buy Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Cost (varies by location) | $149/mo | $4,000 | $3,500 | $3,000 |
| Storage at BigSteelBox Location (Average) | $39/mo | $100/mo | $100/mo | $100/mo |
| Break Even Time Period | n/a | 27 months | 24 months | 20 months |
| Modifications Available | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Benefits of Renting a Portable Storage Container
The beauty of “portable storage” is that it can be delivered, moved or picked up as many times as you need to, whether it’s at your home or business. That means it’s great for convenient on-site storage for moving, renovations, construction projects, and business inventory, just to name a few.
If you only need a temporary storage solution for a few months, then renting is likely the best choice for you. However, even if you need long-term storage, there are other things to take into consideration that might make renting a better option than buying:
Cash Flow
A lower monthly cost is better for short-term cash flow. Many business customers who manage projects for third parties prefer to rent, because their monthly rental fee becomes an expense that is billed to the client as a project cost.
REDUCED LIABILITY
Having your storage unit tagged with graffiti is not cool and can be expensive to fix. That’s why we offer optional vandalism protection on rented units. It eliminates the risk of our customers having to pay for damages out of their pocket.
SIZE FLEXIBILITY
When you rent a BigSteelBox, it’s easy to change to a larger or smaller size. No need to go through the process of selling and buying again. Just give us a call and we’ll switch out your container with the size that fits your current needs.
APPEARANCE
While a BigSteelBox will last a long time, after a number of years they can start to look dated and weathered. If you’re renting, you can always swap it out for a newer container at any time. So, if image is important, then renting may be better for you.
Storage Rental Pricing in Simcoe
Delivered within Simcoe and surrounding areas.
What to expect on your first invoice
Storage at Your Place:
Empty delivery to your location (starting from $75) + empty pickup (same as delivery) + 1 month’s rent.
Load at Your Place, Store at Our Yard:
Empty delivery + loaded move + 1 month’s rent.
Load and Store at Our Yard:
1 month’s rent.
Optional Add-Ons
- Additional months’ rent
- Vandalism protection
- Padlock rental or purchase
- Shelving brackets
- Monthly storage fee at BigSteelBox location:
($19/mo for 8′ and 10′ or $29/mo for 20′)
* All prices are subject to change without notice and do not include taxes or freight.
Benefits of Buying a Portable Storage Container
If you’re looking for a permanent storage solution that you know you’ll use for more than 2 years, and you have a place to keep the portable storage unit for that amount of time, then buying a shipping container may be the best option for you.
Purchasing a container also allows you to make modifications to your container, whether they are small changes like adding paint or decals, or larger modifications like adding a door, window, insulation, electrical, and more.
BigSteelBox sells storage containers in 8′, 10′, 20′ and 40′, so regardless of your storage needs, we likely have the size storage unit you need. We also sell containers in a variety of conditions, including “New”, “Premium Used” and “Used”. Read on to learn more about what to expect for the condition of each type of container:
Compare New, Premium Used & Used Shipping Containers For Sale
We sell both new, premium used, and used shipping containers from all of our BigSteelBox locations across Canada. Here’s a brief description of the different container types that we offer:
Our new BigSteelBoxes are “one-trip” containers that have come, loaded with cargo, from another country before being delivered to our yard. They feature:
A clean, neutral coloured exterior.- Easy-to-use, waist-height door handles.
- Lock boxes to provide additional security.
- D-Rings every 4′ inside wall for tie downs or shelving.
Our premium used BigSteelBoxes were once “one trip” containers that have been used in our Canadian moving and storage rental fleet for several years. They feature:
A neutral-coloured exterior, likely with minor cosmetic damages and large BigSteelBox decals.- Easy-to-use, waist-height door handles.
- Lock boxes to provide additional security.
- D-Rings every 4′ inside wall for tie downs or shelving.
Our used BigSteelBoxes are containers that have been used for international shipping for 8-10 years. They come in three condition grades: (high, mid, or low). They feature:
A variety of different colours including brown, red, green, or yellow.- Structurally sound and wind & weather-proof exterior (unless otherwise specified).
- Visible wear signs, including dents, surface rust, and faded or mismatched paint.
- D-Rings every 4′ inside wall for tie downs or shelving.
Buy a Shipping Container in Simcoe
We sell new & premium used containers in 8', 10', 20' or 40' lengths. Used containers for sale come in 20' and 40' lengths.
Pricing and availability varies by location.
Optional Add-Ons
- Padlock purchase
- Shelving bracket purchase
- Lock box installation: puck lock or padlock
- Doors, windows, and roll-up doors
- Insulation and interior wall packages
- Electrical packages including lighting, heating, and air conditioning
- Offices, heated storage units, and more