Shipping containers

[Michael Aos]

We have two rental properties side-by-side. Each lot is 180' deep, by 63 / 60 feet wide. 1/2 acre total.

I plan to cut both the back yards in half, creating a rectangle about 123' wide by 60' deep for my use.

I was looking at something like a Tuff Shed 24'x30' Premier PRO Ranch Garage for $17K+concrete or a 24' x 40' Premier Barn Garage to the tune of $30K plus concrete.

Maybe even one of each. I assume a nice large detached garage would add to the property values, but we really have no intention of ever selling them.

Our 2-car garage is full of stuff. Can't park in it. Another single-car garage full of stuff, plus the 3-4 sheds.

My BX2370 & implements currently sit outside. Pickup truck, 5x10 dump trailer, and 2 cars too.

Local place sells (also rents / leases) very nice 20' (~$3800) and 40' (~$4200) shipping containers.

I've been thinking about purchasing something like that until / if ever we figure out the detached garage situation.

I've asked a couple sellers if they're aware of any restrictions on shipping containers inside city limits. They said they weren't, but they also acted like it was the first time anybody ever asked the question...

Any thoughts / comments?

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Shipping containers around here aren't required to have permits because there not permanent. That being said I can pick a used one up off CL for under 2k and I think that includes delivery.

Maybe it's time to sell some stuff lmao

 

[AWSubie]

Definitely check with your city regarding ordinances. If they allow them, great! I have a 40' high cube (9 1/2 feet in height as opposed to the standard 8 foot height). It is weather tight and provides a secure home for my Kioti NX5010. I set mine on a base of 1" aggregate, about 5" deep, 10' wide, 42' long (much less expensive than concrete). If you do decide to buy one make sure you inspect it before delivery. Many containers have had a tough life and you want to be sure you are getting what you expect. Google sea container or shipping container and educate yourself before you buy.

 

[sandman2234]

Technically, shipping containers have some restrictions here in the city, but the city includes the whole county. Anyway, I was told certain items had to be done to it to make it ok to have, when I was looking for another one. I have had one for about 35 years, and haven't done anything to it, but it isn't visible from the street.
Prices seem a little high, but probably because you are a ways from a port. Still, if somebody is shipping them into Colorado full of freight, the freight pays the shipping and the seller only has to get the value of the box out of it.
Here the value is about half what you quoted.
David from jax

 

[Alien]

We were lucky and got 2 x 30ft dark green containers that were only 3 months old and had done one trip with explosives from China. They were in perfect order as they are required to be lined internally when carrying explosives.
They cost us about Au $2500 each so I am sure you should be able to get a much better deal if you shop around.

An interesting story. The ship that bought the containers over. It was its' first trip since it had been released by pirates. All the details are on the shipping slips that were taped inside the containers.

We have no bylaws regarding containers on our property.

 

[redman135]

My brother had condensation problems causing rust on his car parts in the container as where he lives it is quite humid.
He had to add rodent proof vents to get air circulation to stop the condensation and rust.
Just something to be aware of when considering containers. He also sits his container on 4 old truck tyres to get air circulating under the floor and to discourage vermin.

 

[Alien]

No condensation problems here but mine do have small rodent proof vents installed when new. We have a 4x4 buggy stored in one of them. My model aircraft and w/shop in the other. They do get hot though and I generally leave the doors open during the day in the Summer. (and Spring and Autumn)
I just sat mine on a few bricks under the corners.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I think it is time to evaluate your storage items to see if they out value the damage to your automobiles and tractor from setting out in the elements. Lots of folks get in the same shape as you with more "stuff" than places to put it and most if not all never use any of the stuff in storage for years if ever.
A good garage sale or three and some Craigslist ads may help you out.

 

[newbury]

<snip>

I was looking at something like a Tuff Shed 24'x30' Premier PRO Ranch Garage for $17K+concrete or a 24' x 40' Premier Barn Garage to the tune of $30K plus concrete.

Maybe even one of each. I assume a nice large detached garage would add to the property values, but we really have no intention of ever selling them.
<snip>

So to summarize - maybe 2 garages for a total of $47K and 1,680 sq ft of garage w/ concrete base (~$28/sq ft) (I assume w/ electricity and maybe water) - or a shipping container with nothing for about half the cost/sq ft.

First of all, without significant cutting, darn few shipping containers will be more than 8' wide. OK for storage, a pain to work in.

Unless you revamp the exterior (roof, siding) the "sale value" of a shipping container on your lot is far less than the equivalent sq footage of a well built garage w/ power (and maybe water).

I'm a big advocate of shipping containers when they make sense. For example I've 4 parcels of land all over 70 acres (but separated by miles) that I'm investigating having shipping containers placed on for temporary storage of equipment. But that's based on a 40' HC (High Cube) delivered for ~ $2,500 and virtually no site prep other than clearing a pad on sandy soil.

For your purpose you might want to START with a 40' HC and use that as a moderately secure storage area in the back or side of a future garage. Or use 2 HC's 20' to 30' apart and parallel with a roof between them.