Why Lease a Storage Container?
There is an idea that buying is always better than leasing, but this simply is not true. Often, leasing presents a more cost-effective solution than an outright purchase. This is especially true when it comes to business storage containers.
Lower upfront costs are definitely a major factor in choosing to lease over buy, but that is far from the only reason to consider leasing. Mobile and temporary storage offers a high degree of flexibility for your business, and leasing only adds to that flexibility. For example, consider retail stores around the holidays. Seasonal needs are different than year-round needs, with more products being sold and a higher amount of inventory coming in. For this, leasing business storage containers for your busiest months makes more sense than purchasing them only to have them sit around unused for most of the year.
Finally, with leasing, any required maintenance or repairs are handled by the storage container company. If you purchase them outright, any damage must be fixed by you out of pocket, with unfixable issues directly affecting your bottom line.
Get Free Price Quotes
Benefits of Leasing Storage Containers
There are a plethora of benefits to leasing, some of which include:
- Extra space: Even if your current amount of storage space works for you, you’ll find that extra storage space is needed when it comes to organizing or reorganizing your business. Leasing a storage container gives you access to extra space while you organize your business. Just send the container back when you no longer need it.
- On-site storage: During construction or remodels, it is always better to have equipment and materials on-site instead of off-site. It reduces transport time significantly and drastically cuts transportation costs. And with everything you need on-site, projects finish faster. Then, once the lease is over, the storage containers are taken away and you no longer have to worry about them.
- Timing: This is perhaps the greatest benefit to leasing a business storage container. While this is especially true for retailers that have to deal with seasonal inventory needs, businesses across multiple industries find themselves needing extra space during different parts of the year. Storage containers can be leased short-term whenever necessary and set up on short notice.
How Much Does Leasing a Business Storage Container Cost?
The cost to lease a business storage container depends on the size of the container, the duration of the lease, the company you lease through, and whether you lease a new or used container. New units typically have a higher cost than used ones. Here is a general pricing guide to provide an idea of what you can expect to pay to lease your business storage container:
- A new business storage container has an average cost between $50 and $200 per month.
- Used or refurbished business storage containers have an average cost between $40 and $140 per month.
- Shipping for business storage containers has an average cost between $150 and $300.
Custom units tend to have a higher price than standard ones, with prices being directly related to your customizations. Some companies include the cost of delivery in the leasing price and occasionally include free delivery if you opt for an extended lease.
Storage Site Prep
Usually, there are some site preparations that must be completed before a storage container is delivered to you. First and foremost, the site must be flat. If it only requires basic leveling, that is something you can do by yourself or with a little help. If the site is hilly, muddy, or rocky, however, it might require a construction team to level it out. Some suppliers provide site prep assistance for an additional cost.
Other considerations include determining whether the truck delivering the storage container can access your property. You also need to ensure that you have enough space for your storage container, otherwise there isn’t much point to ordering one. Identify whether your site is prone to flooding or if runoff makes its way to your intended location for the container. Water has the potential to damage more than just the unit; anything you place inside it would be at risk.