Guide to Purchasing a Shipping Container

There are many potential uses for a shipping container in Houston, TX. On-site storage containers are a great way to store products wherever you want for a low monthly rate. Instead of driving to a mini storage facility, you can have the convenience of a storage container when and where you need it. Shipping containers in Houston, TX can be used as hunting shelters, privacy or sound barriers and even be converted small shops or studios. The possibilities are endless, but first, how do you go about purchasing one? Read on to learn everything you need to know about purchasing a shipping container in Houston, TX:

• Go see the container in person: Many companies across the United States sell containers to customers from afar, meaning you can’t see the container before you purchase it. While they may have good prices, the resulting arrival may fall short of expectations. Going to see the container in person and purchasing from a local company that sells shipping containers in Houston, TX is your best bet for getting a quality container.
• Age and distance traveled: Consider the age of the shipping container, as well as the number of miles it’s traveled. Older containers could be in better condition than newer ones if they’ve traveled less and have been well taken care of. However, longer miles traveled indicates more time spent in ports and exposed to the elements. You’ll be able to tell how old the container is by its doors and CSC plate. Flat doors indicate a shipping container made before the early 1990s, while the CSC plate will indicate the date of manufacture.
• Handling and cargo: You may want to know more about the history of your shipping container in Houston, TX. Some containers are handled more roughly than others, especially those that have been moved by forklifts or cranes. It might be rusted or dented on the exterior by a crane or dented on the interior by a forklift. You also want to know what was shipped inside the container, and whether there were any spills inside involving potentially hazardous materials.
• Environment and transportation: Another thing to consider is the climate and elements that the shipping container was exposed to, as well as the method of transportation. Containers that were mostly on ships in mild climates will hold up better than a container traveling through the North Sea during the peak of winter. Plus, if transported via tractor trailer, there might be associated damage or wear and tear.
• Examining the condition: You’ll want to thoroughly inspect the shipping container for signs of wear and tear. Make sure the doors open and close easily and the locking mechanisms and hinges are operational. Inspect the roof for rust, dents, dings and scratches and make sure the door gaskets seal up tight. Pay special attention to the exterior side wall where it meets the flat portion of the steel beam at the bottom, because water can collect there and cause rust.

A Mobile Box provides shipping containers in Houston, TX for commercial and residential clients. We offer temporary and permanent storage solutions for commercial and retail storage, construction storage and residential storage, with many sizes to choose from. Our units are secure, all-steel, weatherproof and tamperproof. Give us a call today to see what we have in stock.

Categorised in: Shipping Containers

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