QUESTIONS? CALL: (844) 351-7783
You’ve decided to purchase a storage container, and you’re ready for delivery? Great, now what? How can you prepare to make your container delivery process quick and painless?
We’ve combined our knowledge of the portable storage and shipping container industries to determine the 5 easy–yet essential–steps to get ready for the delivery of your storage container.
There are 3 things to consider when choosing your delivery site:
First and foremost, make sure your delivery site is convenient and suitable for your needs. After all, the site you choose as the drop-off point for your container is more than likely going to be your temporary or permanent storage location.
Also, ask yourself, where can the delivery truck realistically make the drop? Is it easily accessible? To be safe, here's a good rule of thumb: your delivery site should be twice the length of your storage container in a straight line.
Now let’s take a second to consider the weight of a storage container. The 20ft container weighs about 2 tons and 40 footer typically weighs between 3.5 and 4.2 tons; so you need a firm, level foundation that can support a 5-ton storage container delivery truck and the unit once dropped. Pavement, cement, gravel, and hard grass are ideal surfaces, as well as dirt if it’s not too soft.
Be sure to avoid placing your storage container in low-lying areas without adequate drainage so it doesn’t sink into the ground. Note: If there’s a problem with the foundation or drainage at your storage location, alternative options are discussed in step 2.
If your storage location already has a fairly flat, firm surface, then this step should be pretty simple. All you have to do is clear out any debris. If you don’t have access to pavement, cement, gravel or hard grass, you can use blocks of wood or concrete to support your storage container at the four corners. Or, you can also use a container chassis to lift it evenly off the ground and improve portability.
Be sure to clear anything that can get in the way of the storage container delivery truck and the pathway to the drop-off site. This means removing or relocating any overhanging materials, such as power lines and trees, and making sure there aren’t any drains, pipes or water lines in the way.
Your container company should ask in advance if you want the doors facing the cab or the rear of the truck. Why is this so important? It determines the direction of your storage container when it’s offloaded.
A storage container delivered doors to cab means it’ll slide off the truck with the doors landing on the ground last. Or, if you want to look at it another way, doors to cab means your storage container will face the direction of the delivery truck when it drives away. Doors to rear, on the other hand, means the container doors will land on the ground first, facing away from the delivery truck.
It should be best practice for the storage container company you’re purchasing from to call before delivery to ensure the details are in order and your schedules are in sync. The lead time from the date of purchase to delivery is typically between 3-5 days, giving you plenty of time to prepare your site. Your delivery driver should also give you a quick call when he or she is on the way so you’re ready and the process is smooth.
Have questions about storage container delivery? Or, are you ready for safe, easy portable storage for as long as you need? We’re here to help: 844-351-7783.
