Whether you need storage space for business or personal use, steel shipping containers for sale in Washington are going to be your best option. You can either hire a shipping container or purchase a new or used container. Custom shipping containers are highly versatile vessels, for both work and home. You can store just about anything in a shipping container from vehicles to furniture and appliances.

You can easily find shipping containers for sale in Washington in a variety of sizes with different add-ons that are of use to you, such as special locks or windows.

Before deciding on size and accessories, though, you need to think about what you’re going to be keeping in the storage container.

Factors to Consider When Sourcing a Shipping Container

1. Are you going to buy the container?

When buying a container, you are expected to pay all the costs upfront, including delivery costs. This will ensure that the container is all yours and is also a cost effective option if you plan on having the container for longer than a two year period.

2. Would you prefer to rent a unit?

If you’re only going to require a shipping container short-term, renting one is the perfect option. You’ll be able to pay monthly increments.

3. Size of the container

Size is a very important factor to consider when looking through the wide selection of shipping containers for sale. There is an array of sizes that you can choose from, such as 20″, 40″ and 45″ shipping units. When it comes to choosing the size of your container, think about what you will be using it for and let that choice guide you.

4. New or used shipping container?

This is an easier decision to make. If you have the means, you can buy a new shipping container and be guaranteed that the container is of the highest quality. If you’d prefer to purchase a used shipping container, make sure you inspect the container beforehand to ensure there is no damage or rust and make sure the seller is reputable. You could find shipping containers for sale from companies like Pentalver and other similar container suppliers.

5. Added Extras

Perhaps you’d like to think about speciality storage units. There are a couple of different accessories or extras for you to choose from, such as open top and refrigerated containers.

Avoid Shopping for Storage Containers without Seeing Them

While you might discover that quality shipping containers from various supply companies are really cheap, you might just be getting what you pay for – without inspecting the vessel. There are those companies who will offer to deliver your container to you at an extremely affordable price too. But be wary of “too good to be true” low prices which could mean low quality containers. Instead, look for high quality shipping containers for sale in Washington.

It’s a good idea to first have a look at the shipping containers that you are interested in. While this could be difficult if you don’t live in a big shipping city or near a seaport, you could always ask a friend or associate who is nearby to have a look for you.

It’s not recommended to shop for shipping containers sight unseen from a company or seller you’ve never heard of, unless they offer a variety of photos of the exact container that you are interested in. A mere one or two photograph of poor quality should raise a red flag.

Thinking about Pricing

The cost of shipping containers is typically based on these factors:

• Age
• Supply
• Condition or quality

When it comes to supply, there is a huge demand for shipping containers world-wide. And since the U.S. receives a great deal of imports from China, more so than is exported, there are a great deal of shipping containers that aren’t being used and can be purchased. When buying shipping containers for sale in Washington, use a company that has a big range of suppliers so that your demands can easily be accommodated.

It is the quality and age of the shipping containers that will really determine overall pricing. There are a number of reasons a younger container could be worse weathered than older containers, such as:

• Damage could have been done to the container at some point during transit
• Some containers will have travelled further than others, exposing them to the elements more often
• The cargo that was carried in the container could have soiled the container or spilled at some point during transport
• Some containers have simply been handled by a forklift more often than others and this places stress on the architectural integrity of the container over time which lowers its value.

What to Look Out for

If you’re going to have a personal look at the shipping container you’re interested in buying, check out the below elements during your tour:

1. Make sure all the doors open and close easily and think about whether or not you’re going to be opening and closing container doors often. If you’re not, then a squeaky door may just be okay for you, or one that sticks a bit. Don’t forget to check out the locking mechanisms and check the hinges for any sing of rust or wear and tear.

2. Check the roof both from the outside and inside of the shipping container. Look out for holes, dings and dents. While the dents and dings aren’t the end of the world, if the container has been a bit neglected, they could just turn into holes.

Once you’ve considered all these elements and decided which features are important for your shipping container, it’s time to look for shipping containers for sale in Washington.

Consider both new and used containers for your budget and make sure the entire buying process is easy with the above checklist.