Buying a shipping container can be an excellent investment for various purposes, such as turning it into a home or office. Only some shipping containers turn out to be the same, and proper choices require quite a few crucial considerations: from the condition of the container, size, and even price and features, knowing what to look for will help you make an informed decision.

In this article, we will break down what to consider when purchasing a shipping container for sale to make sure you get the best container for your needs.

1. Intended Use: What Will You Use the Shipping Container For?

Before starting to look around for available shipping containers, you should be clear about why you need them. It is not that shipping containers are on a slim pedestal of purposes, but different uses might warrant different specifications.

- Storage: If you only need to use your Shipping container for storage on a farm, a building site, or at your house, then a used container will suffice. You'll want to focus on security and weatherproofing.

- Shipping: Whether for international or domestic shipping, it needs to be cargo-worthy and meet the acceptable industry standard. For such, you may want to look at getting a newer or "one-trip" container in order to ensure that shipping regulations are met.

- Container Home or Office: Considering building a home, office, or retail place with a Shipping container? In this case, condition, aesthetic appeal, and structural soundness become critical. You may want to consider getting a new container or a lightly used one for the best construct modifications.

Knowing what you want to use the container for will help narrow down some of the choices and get that shipping container that will best serve your purposes.

2. New vs. Used Containers

You can expect to encounter both new and used shipping containers when browsing shipping containers for sale. Each comes with its set of positives and negatives, depending on the budget you have set and what you are looking to use the container for.

New Shipping Containers

New shipping containers, also referred to as "one-trip" containers, are those that have only completed one voyage from the manufacturer to the first destination. They are close to perfect, with very minimal wear and tear. Usually, they will be the best choice for buyers if they need a container for a long-term project or one that requires a clean and undamaged container, such as building a container home.

Used Shipping Containers

The used ones are cheaper but have more or less wear and tear. Some may have minor dents or rusting, while others may have worse structural issues. Used containers can still prove to be excellent for storage or modification projects if you manage to inspect them correctly in advance for structural soundness.

3. Container Condition: What to Inspect

Whether you go for a new or used shipping container, it is essential to inspect the container's condition before buying. Some key areas to focus on include:

Rust and Corrosion

As stated, rust is common in used containers but mostly in those exposed to the elements for a long time. Try to avoid those with rust that has penetrated the steel or weakened the structure. Take a keen eye to the corners of the container, its roof, and its door frames since these are the areas that are most prone to rust damage.

Dents and Structural Integrity

The used containers can have dents, and though small dents will not affect the structural strength, larger dents may weaken the container. Buckling or bending evidence can be observed, especially over the seams and the frame of the container, and these may show that the container has sustained severe damage.

Doors and Seals

The doors of a shipping container should open and close with ease. Check whether the seals around the doors are still intact and waterproof. Any broken seal can allow the entry of moisture, which can gradually destroy the contents of a container.

Flooring

Most containers have plywood floors that are made from treated wood. This wood will wear, be damaged or even rot. If the floor is in bad shape, you might want to replace it, which will quickly add to the cost of the container. Make sure the floor is strong and w/o major defects.

4. Size and Dimensions

There are various standard sizes of shipping containers; however, the most used containers are 20-footers and 40-footers. Their proper choice depends on your needs and space constraints.

20-Foot Containers

These are the most popular choices for small to medium-sized storage or modification projects such as tiny homes or offices. A 20-foot container can give about 1,160 cubic feet of space, which would suffice for storing tools, equipment, or inventory.

40-Foot Containers

The 40-foot container is double that size, coming in at around 2,350 cubic feet. Applications include large-scale storage, shipping, or container homes.

High-Cube Containers

Besides the standard container, you will most likely be requiring "high-cube" containers, which are one foot taller than regular containers. These are excellent for any project that requires vertical space, such as multi-tiered building projects or tall equipment storage.

5. Cost Considerations

The cost of a shipping container varies depending on size, condition, and location. From this premise, here's what you might expect to pay on average for each:

• New Containers: Price ranges from $3,000 to $7,500, depending on size and features.

• Used Containers: Prices begin at $1,000 to $3,000 for a 20-foot container, while a 40-foot container fetches between $2,000 and $4,000, depending on the size.

In addition to the actual buying price, you should also think about other expenses, including freight charges, in case the container has to be delivered to a very remote site. You may also include the costs of modification should you plan to transform the container for a specific project, whether through installing doors, windows, or some sort of insulation.

6. Vendor Reputation: Purchase from a Reputable Seller

Finally, the shipping container should be purchased from a good seller. Those sellers who have good feedback, openly show their pricing, and allow personal viewing of the containers are good ones to start with. Be wary of any deal that sounds too good to be true because such deals could be made on containers in poor condition or with hidden fees.

Conclusion

Buying a shipping container is one of the best investments for any use: from using them as storage, shipping containers, or even building a container home. Considering the use, condition, size, and cost, one can easily spot a container that would suit any needs. Whether it is new or used, make sure to inspect the container properly and purchase from a reputable seller for a quality product.