Conex boxes are often known as shipping containers or steel storage containers. However, they also have many other names that you might know them by.
To rent or lease a shipping container is often far more cost-effective than outright purchasing, depending on your requirements. The cost of renting a Conex box varies with various factors we’ll talk about later. Typically, a standard 20ft or 40ft storage box rental costs between $50 to $400/month, depending on its condition. Suppliers usually offer substantial discounts for rentals of a year or more, and rentals are very flexible. But, there comes a time when it’s better to buy. Many suppliers provide a rent-to-own plan. This is a lease arrangement for 2 or 3 years at about the same price as a standard Conex rental. At the end of the lease, you own the container to do with as you please, without having to pay the full purchase price up-front.
Remember, quotes for renting storage containers will differ according to your specific requirements. This article aims to inform you of how much you will be charged and all the factors influencing your hire price.
Topics
Shipping Container Rental Prices*
Original ISO Standard conex boxes come in two standard sizes, 20ft, and 40ft. Here are some typical hire durations and conex rental costs you can expect.
| Container Size | 20ft | 40ft | ||
| Condition | New | Used | New | Used |
| Monthly Rental Cost | $220 minimum | $100 minimum | $280 minimum | $140 minimum |
| Yearly Rental Cost | $2,000 minimum | $800 minimum | $2,500 minimum | $1,200 minimum |
*The figures shown in the table are an estimated price guide only. We only deal with reliable renting companies. So, if you need accurate prices to rent steel shipping containers, you can contact us to request quotes.
In addition to the above sizes, we also supply non-standard containers with the following lengths:
- 10ft.
- 15ft.
- 25ft.
- 45ft.
These units cost more, as the modifications involve welding and cutting. You can enquire by calling us or filling out the form at the top of this page.
Different Conex Container Uses
You can temporarily use rental shipping containers if your business is seasonal or needs short-term storage. Alternatively, it’s also possible to permanently lease a Conex too.
Don’t be worried about someone renting the container before you. The rental company checks everything for damage and cleanliness. They then repair and clean inside and outside so that you receive yours in as good a condition as possible.
Rent a steel storage container, and you can test out the type that works best for your business. Then, if you decide to use one long-term, you can lease or purchase one. As well as using one for transportation, you might rent a Conex box for the following reasons:
Storage
Many companies need extra space for the storage of equipment, stock, or archiving documents and records. Storage containers are secure, clean, and dry. And, you can rent ones with air conditioning or refrigeration if that’s what you need.
Offices
Suppose your business has grown quicker than expected and you need to take on more staff. In that case, you can rent Conex boxes already converted into office space, complete with furniture, electrical connections, windows, and personnel doors. Then, after you’ve built the new permanent premises, you can return the storage container offices.
Welfare facilities
Everyone requires washing and toilet facilities when at work, and you can rent containers already converted with plumbing and drainage. All they need is a connection to outside utilities to be fully functional. Alternatively, if you organize festivals or have a temporary campsite, then these are ideal.
Cabins
If your employees work away from civilization, they still need somewhere safe and comfortable to live. Modified containers provide kitchen and dining facilities, bedrooms, and recreation rooms. They are easily delivered by truck and just as easily moved onto the next location.
Conex Box Hire Cost Factors
To rent a storage container varies costs depending on many different factors. We’ll consider these now.
New vs. Used
Conex containers come in two categories:
- New: These aren’t brand new. Instead, they’ve been used for one trip carrying freight from one place to another. After their single trip, we use them for many other purposes.
- Used: These containers have been used many times for transporting freight before using them for other purposes. Usually, they’re rented or leased as storage containers or modified to provide any of the many different uses a steel storage container can provide.
All other things being equal, a ‘new’ container will be more expensive to rent than a ‘used’ one. You’ll also find that there are far more ‘used’ than ‘new’ containers already available, whether modified or not.
Related: Military shipping containers
Customization & additions
Companies customize Conex boxes to produce many different types of useful containers. Customizations can be as simple as a certain color paint job or logo to match your corporate design. Or as complex as full living accommodation, washroom facilities, workshops, or electrical switch rooms. Usually, if you can imagine a modification, then we can probably supply it.
If you need a common modification, we can usually find one that suits your requirements almost immediately. However, if you want uncommon conversions, you might have to wait a while longer. But, what you consider unusual might be very common. So, it’s worthwhile contacting us to find out what is available before giving up. We might already have a modified container that needs just a few tweaks to meet your exact specifications.
Common modifications that people ask for include:
- Heavy-duty locks.
- Personnel doors.
- Workstations.
- Shelving.
- Windows.
- Plumbing and drainage.
Finally, we must stress that you cannot alter a rental or lease container yourself. Furthermore, suppose you have a rent-to-own arrangement with us. In that case, you must not change anything on the container until the rental period expires and you own it outright. If you need to make modifications immediately, you should purchase one. By the way, we can help with this too.
Size
The standard container lengths are 20ft and 40ft. These sizes allow easy stacking when carried on container ships, trains, and trucks with the least wasted space.
However, there are non-standard sizes to cater for non-standard freight or other modifications. And, these are available for you to use too. Different lengths you can use include:
- 10ft.
- 15ft.
- 25ft.
- 45ft.
Additionally, most containers have a standard height of 8ft 6ins and a width of 8ft. But, there are also oversize options, including the high-cube measuring 9ft 6ins tall and the extra-wide choice being 10ft wide.
Location
You should consider your location when budgeting a storage container for lease or rent. Suppose you neglect these extra costs and decide on a supplier hundreds of miles from your area. In that case, you could pay at least $1,000 for delivery, which is probably more than the container rental price.
Some suppliers charge large amounts to deliver and install your container, depending on the traveling distance and the truck’s weight and size. Furthermore, other suppliers might also have a minimum charge while setting a maximum delivery distance. It’s also common for suppliers to specify a delivery fee and add additional charges for mileage.
So, you can see why it’s important to find out your supplier’s delivery charges beforehand and why it makes sense to shop local. Fortunately, we have depots throughout the United States. Therefore, wherever you want a container delivered, it shouldn’t be very far away.
Delivery & Removal
Usually, we deliver the container as we have the correct sized trucks at our disposal.
Delivery costs can vary depending on how close you are to the depot. But, as we cover the entire USA delivery charges are reasonable. Ask our team for delivery prices on top of the rental.
We always do our best to get your rental to you as soon as possible. However, certain factors might affect delivery:
- The distance between our depot and your site.
- Your site’s accessibility.
- The driver’s schedule and the legal number of driving hours per day.
- The requested container’s availability.
We usually deliver a container using a tractor-trailer. Therefore, there must be a suitably sized road available. Also, trucks need enough room to maneuver and turn to place the container exactly where you want it. The turning distance depends on the size of the container and truck. But, if you ask, we can let you know exactly how much space you need.
The next thing for you to consider is whether the ground surface is flat and suitable for the container. If it’s not level, there’s a good chance that the doors won’t open and close properly. So, clear loose rocks from a large enough area and make sure it’s level. A small amount of slope is usually okay as you can often level the container using lumber chocks. You might be able to do this work yourself, or even better, hire a contractor to lay a level concrete pad.
Once the box is in place and level, it shouldn’t be necessary to move it until it’s time for us to collect.
Liability & Maintenance
Usually, it’s the supplier’s responsibility to maintain the container. But, certain types of damage might cost you extra. Many suppliers offer a small insurance policy to cover unforeseen damage and other problems that might happen. However, it’s your responsibility to ensure the container is locked securely when no one is about. And, of course, we can’t be held liable for theft of your property. So, it’s always worthwhile ensuring you have the best possible lock available to secure the container. Ask what type of lock we supply and whether it’s worthwhile choosing a better one.
Modified containers have an option to choose metal security bars or shutters across windows and other weak spots. So, don’t forget to specify this accessory if that’s what you want.
Advantages of Renting Shipping Containers
Renting a container is sensible if you need extra short-term living or working space. You use it for as long as you need and then return it. Even rental durations of up to a year or so makes sense. It allows your business to maintain its cash flow. There’s no liability. It’s a low monthly cost, and it’s beneficial with your taxes as it’s considered a cost rather than a company asset.
Renting a Conex container, whether modified or not, is much easier to do compared to purchasing. There are many different container types available, and it’s not always easy to estimate the size you need until it’s on-site. If you find you need a different sized container a few weeks into the rental, it’s no problem to change it for a different one. In contrast, if you’ve purchased the wrong one, to begin with, you’ll have to sell the old container first before you can buy another.
If you purchase a container, it can start to look weathered and old after a while, and it’ll be a problem to sell for an updated model. However, if you have one on rental, you can return the container for a newer model whenever you want. Not only is it better as a working environment, but it’s also better for your corporate image.
Finally, if you aren’t sure whether a rental container is a solution to your problem, hire one for a short time until you’re happy. Then, you can go on to purchase the exact type you need at a later date.
Let’s face it, renting is a win-win, all the way.
Disadvantages of Renting Containers
First, let’s consider a general disadvantage of using shipping containers, whether purchased or rented. They’re made from steel, which is a good conductor of heat. Therefore, the interior becomes very hot in summer and very cold in winter. This situation might not be a problem if you intend to store simple dry freight. But, if you use it for perishable goods or want an office or living environment, you must consider efficient insulation or another environmental control method. And, because you’ve rented the unit you can do this.
When renting, you do not own the container. Therefore, you can’t do whatever you want with it. You accept the container as it is. You can’t drill holes, add permanent shelves or paint it. The rental company must do everything. However, if you own the container, you can do whatever you want.
If your workforce has grown accustomed to a certain container office, and you return it because you’re temporarily not using it. There’s no guarantee that you get the same unit back again. So you either have to accept that or continue renting even when you don’t need it.
Difference Between Shipping Container Lease & Rental?
The main difference between a lease and rental is the duration of the agreement. A lease remains valid for a pre-agreed time. In contrast, a rental agreement is good for a short term, whether pre-arranged or not.
Because the rental period is short-term and you have the benefit of ending it at any time, the payments will be higher than those of a lease. Furthermore, a lease can theoretically be for any number of pre-agreed years. But, in-practice usually lasts for one, two, or five years. The monthly payments are calculated based on the agreed duration, whether you’ve paid an amount up-front, and on your credit history.
Unlike with a rental, you generally have a credit check to take out a lease. The review ascertains whether you are a good credit risk and whether you’re likely to default on the arrangement.
If you need a shipping container for a short term of less than a year or so, then a rental agreement is the best way forward. It’s more cost-effective than any other method. However, suppose you intend to rent a unit for longer than this. In that case, it’s usually better to think about a lease agreement.
Rent To Own Options
This option is probably the best deal if you want to purchase but can’t afford the full price up-front. If you’ve been renting a container for a set period, you won’t have anything to show afterward. Although it’s useful to give the container back when you don’t want it anymore, the money is dead. This situation is where a rent-to-own agreement is much better.
In practice, you pay a monthly amount for an agreed period. These payments gradually pay off the container’s purchase price over a set number of months. While the agreements are in force, you can’t modify the container as it doesn’t yet belong to you. But, at the end of the contract, you own the container outright, so you can modify it as you wish. During the rental period, some companies allow you to paint the outside to better suit its environment, but you must have the rental company’s permission.
Suppose you decide you want to pay off the agreement early. In that case, there generally isn’t any problem, and you won’t usually be charged a penalty, unlike a straight lease that often has penalty clauses. On the contrary, many suppliers offer a discounted price for early payment.
Hiring Checklist
Before you finally decide what type of shipping container you need, follow the checklist below to ensure you get exactly what you want.
Rental, lease, or Rent-to-own?
Decide on which agreement is best suited to your circumstances. If you want the container for less than a year, then go for a rental. If you want it for up to a few years only, then choose a lease. But, if you’re going to use it immediately for a long period, choose a rent-to-own. Although you have limitations on how you can modify it, it’s a good way of having the continuity of ownership without high up-front costs.
Payment plan
Make sure your business incorporates the monthly payments into its long-term budget. Rental costs will be ongoing payments for as long as you rent. However, you’ll find there will often be penalties for non-payment if you take out a lease. So, make sure you can afford it.
New vs. used?
Decide which you prefer based on availability, price, and condition. We can help you choose the best type for your purpose.
Modified or just a storage container?
This depends on what you want the container for. If it’s just for storage or transport, then choose an unmodified container. If it’s for something else, then select the appropriate mods. Remember that if you want modifications, you must not do these yourself. Ask the rental company for a container with pre-existing changes.
Other fees
You will probably have other payments as well as the rental. The delivery payment is essential, as will be insurance for damage to the container. The contract specifies maintenance requirements and who is responsible for them. Make sure you know what your liabilities are before signing up for the agreement.
Next Steps
Suppose you decide to have a shipping container for storage or transportation. Alternatively, you might want a modified container for some other use. In these cases, renting is probably the best way forward. You get to know how much you use it before committing to a purchase. Many companies forget to purchase and instead stay with either a rental or lease. Although shipping container rental prices can be high over the long term, you can choose a lease agreement with its agreed low monthly payments. Alternatively, select a rent-to-own option, so the container is yours at the end of the term.
Complete the form on this page, and you’ll get 3 or 4 quotes providing options for you to choose from. Alternatively, if you prefer to talk to someone in person, you can call us today to discuss your requirements.