Looking for affordable storage containers to stock your warehouse merchandise or products in your business? Looking to save money with your bulk purchase? You’re not alone; many business owners are looking to save money while purchasing the right business storage solutions for their transportation or warehouse needs. The following is a simple storage container buying guide which provides insight the things you need to consider when making your final decision.
Things to Consider When Searching for Storage Solutions and Buying Storage Containers
Storage containers are manufactured in many ways resulting in their size, their portability, and the materials used to make them. The following are some of the things that you need to consider before finalizing and buying storage containers.
Space – It’s important to consider the amount of available space when purchasing specific containers or used shipping crates. Many industry warehouses are already stocked up with pallets and stack racks. If you’re intending to keep your containers inside, make sure you have sufficient room to fit them.
Restrictions – In some sub-developments, countries, and cities there are restrictions against containers. It is important to check your local area’s restrictions and laws on container usage to make sure you don’t run into any problems.
Location – You also need to consider the location of where you container will be placed. The things you may need to consider for your business storage solutions include:
- Is the ground level enough to place your container?
- Will the container be placed in areas which are exposed to weather or wet conditions?
- Is there adequate drainage where the container will be placed?
- Can the ground area or racks support the container when it is filled with stock?
Size – The size of the storage container will depend on the type of items you will be placing in them. The size that you purchase is also determined by how many items you can fit within the one container, as well as the area where you will be placing it. Some warehouses or businesses may have limited space capacity for holding larger sized storage containers. This is why it is important to purchase the right size to cater to your space limitations.
Insurance – For larger, more expensive containers, such as shipping containers, it’s a good idea to look into insurance options to cover the cost if something unexpected happens to it. This will also help to cover the costs of the good stored within the container during shipping.
Delivery – Before choosing your container, make sure you have adequate delivery site space to fit your container if it is large, like a shipping container. Check your site for its available space to make sure you have sufficient room to fit the quantity and size of containers that you’re looking to purchase.
Portability – Whether you require portable storage containers is another factor that you need to consider. Don’t just think about the right-now storage solution that you need; try to think ahead to whether you may require the containers to be easily transported from one location to another. Portable storage containers are beneficial for saving time when reorganizing warehouses or businesses. They allow you to move stock without having to unload the items within. Wheeled storage containers are the best option for portability without the need for any heavy lifting. This helps to reduce injury of workers. When buying storage containers, you must consider who, what, and how they will be used.
Materials – Last, but not least, the material your storage container is made from is probably one of the most important things to consider. Storage containers these days can be manufactured from wood, plastic, fabric, and natural material. The following table is a guide of the materials and features of storage containers for warehouse, business, or home storage applications.
| Material | Features |
| Plastic | Inexpensive, lightweight, durable |
| Wood | Heavier than plastic, secures items easily, and offers great protection against stored merchandise |
| Metal | Great support for heavy items, made with recyclable materials, and great for handling heavy duty shipping requirements |
| Fabric | Natural look, lightweight, and great portability |
| Natural | Accents furnishings, organic look, sourced from nature |
One of the most popular storage containers for home or industries is the plastic container. This is because it can be more lightweight than other types of materials.
Buying Storage Containers – New or Used?
Purchasing new or used storage containers will depend on your company’s budget and whether you require new containers over used ones. Many companies like to look for discounts and cost effective business storage solutions. They will generally purchase used containers, which can be reused again. If purchasing used containers, it is good to inspect them to make sure they can handle what you’re looking to store in them. Check for cracks, dents, or any other damages that may cause the container to be less efficient during use.
Conclusion
When looking to purchase storage containers, it’s best to take everything into consideration before making your final decision. So, what type of storage container did you choose?