Shipping Container Questions Answered

Call us on 0490 477 000 or email inquiry@commercialcontainers.com.au. It speeds things up if you can tell us the size you are after, whether you want to buy or hire, the delivery suburb, and roughly what the site access looks like. We will come back to you with pricing and the delivery method that suits.

The most common sizes are 10ft, 20ft and 40ft. We can also source 6ft and 8ft units where space is tight, and 45ft containers where you need maximum length. As a rough guide, a 20ft container gives you around 33 cubic metres of storage and a 40ft around 67. If you are not sure which size suits, give us a call and we will talk through what you are storing.

New containers, often called one-trip units, have made a single voyage from the factory and are in near-perfect condition. Used containers have been in service and will show surface rust, dents and previous paintwork, but remain structurally sound. Refurbished units are used containers that have been repaired, treated and repainted. All three have their place; it usually comes down to budget and whether appearance matters for your site.

A high cube is roughly 300mm taller than a standard container, about 2.9m external height instead of 2.6m. That extra headroom matters if you are storing tall equipment, fitting out an office or workshop, or planning to insulate and line the interior, since lining eats into the internal height. High cubes are most common in 40ft and 45ft, and can be sourced in 20ft.

As a rough guide, a tilt tray needs clear straight-line access of roughly twice the length of the container, plus room to bring the truck in and out. Watch for overhead power lines, low branches, narrow gates and soft ground. If access is tight, a side loader or crane may be the better option. Send us a photo of the site and we will tell you what will work.

It should be reasonably level and firm. A container carries its weight on the four corner castings, so uneven or soft ground can twist the frame and make the doors difficult to open and close. Compacted gravel, concrete or hardstand is ideal. Avoid the base of slopes where water pools. On softer ground, timber sleepers or concrete pads under the corners are a common and inexpensive fix. Our experienced administration staff and drivers will happily assist and guide you if you have any concerns about ground suitability. Timber chocks can be made available prior to delivery on request, and guidance on levelling your container can also be provided at the point of delivery.

Wind and watertight, usually shortened to WWT, means the container is sealed against the weather. The roof, walls, floor and door seals are intact and the unit will keep your contents dry. It does not mean the container is cosmetically perfect; a WWT unit can still carry surface rust, dents and old paintwork. If you need something that also looks presentable, ask us about refurbished stock.

A tilt tray slides the container off the back of the truck. It is the most common method but it needs clear straight-line access. A side loader lifts the container off the side of the truck and can place it in tighter spots, including alongside a fence or building. A crane is used where the container has to be lifted over an obstacle or set down with real precision. We will recommend the right method once we know your site.

We offer both short and long term hire, whether you need a container for a few weeks during a build or ongoing storage for years. Give us a call on 0490 477 000 and we will work out what suits your situation.