Storage Company Vs. Shipping Containers

Storage Company Vs. Shipping Containers – Which is Best?

What is the first thing you think of when storing your items somewhere long term? Usually its a storage company somewhere far a way with its hundreds of rooms, garage doors and cardboard boxes everywhere right?

While storage companies can often be a great solution to your storage problems – they aren’t the only one. Another, potentially far better option that many don’t often consider is hiring or purchasing a second hand shipping container. Lets look at the benefits and drawbacks of each storage solution, and what you should consider before making the choice.

Using a Storage Company – What are the Pro’s and Con’s

Storing your items with a storage company has a number of distinct advantages.These can include affordability and different, specialised storage options. Storage companies will have all sorts of different storage facilities including temperature controlled rooms, special shelving, security facilities and even guards.

However, all these additional services (many of which you might not even require, nor want) come at a cost and can be very expensive. As they are used on a hire only basis, you can end up with little flexibility other than the contractual terms offered, and can be left unable to alter the area any more than the storage company allows. Distance can also be an issue as you will have to travel to the storage facility any time you need anything, which at todays high petrol prices will cost you a lot of money, not to mention time over the years.

Why is a Shipping Container Better?

In our view hiring or buying a shipping container is a great option for storing almost anything you can think of. You can store it directly in your own backyard, enabling easy access, you can use the container to store whatever you want, without having to worry about the contractual terms stipulating what is and isn’t allowed to be stored. You can even use it as an extension of your house, if you’ve purchased it you’ll have the ability to alter it as you see fit – try doing that with a storage company!

One of the only downsides to buying or hiring a shipping container vs using a storage company is typically the lack of special features and staff who can be present as security at all times. However, this doesn’t have to be a problem – our containers have the ability to be modified to your specific needs, and with a bit of clever thinking a shipping container can be up to a similar standard or better than that of a storage companies facilities. Its easy to modify shipping containers with additional features like added security, temperature control, storage shelves and much more!

If you are looking to hire or buy a shipping container, give us a call at Gateway Container Sales & Hire. We even have the option of keeping the container on site at our premises, just like a storage company, leaving you with a full variety of choices to ensure you get the right storage solution, at the right price.