Best Uses for Shipping Containers in Construction

Yulia Berner

Shipping containers give contractors secure, ground-level storage for tools, equipment and building materials directly at the jobsite.

They can be rented for one project, purchased for repeated use or acquired through a rent-to-own arrangement.

What Are Shipping Containers Used for in Construction?

The most common construction uses include:

  • Tool and equipment storage;
  • Building-material storage;
  • Fixture and finish storage;
  • Storage for different trades;
  • Residential renovation storage;
  • Contractor-yard overflow;
  • Pallet and inventory storage; and
  • Modified temporary offices.

1. Secure Tool and Equipment Storage

Construction tools are expensive and difficult to manage when spread around a jobsite.

A lockable construction storage container provides a central place for:

  • Power tools;
  • Hand tools;
  • Generators;
  • Compressors;
  • Ladders;
  • Safety equipment;
  • Batteries and chargers; and
  • Smaller machinery.

Shelving, labelled bins and an inventory system can turn the container into an organised jobsite tool room.

2. Building Materials and Fixtures

Shipping containers are useful when building materials arrive before they are ready to be installed.

They can hold:

  • Lumber and trim;
  • Electrical and plumbing supplies;
  • Tile and flooring;
  • Doors and windows;
  • Cabinets;
  • Lighting;
  • Appliances;
  • Hardware; and
  • Boxed fixtures.

Keeping materials away from active work areas can reduce damage, dust exposure and unnecessary handling.

Temperature-sensitive or moisture-sensitive products may require ventilation, insulation or specialist storage.

3. Organising Trades and Project Phases

On larger construction projects, containers can be assigned by:

  • Subcontractor;
  • Building;
  • Project phase;
  • Material type; or
  • Installation sequence.

For example, one container may hold electrical supplies while another stores plumbing materials, tools or finishing products.

Double-door and open-side shipping containers can make it easier to separate materials and provide access to bulky equipment.

4. Residential Renovations

Shipping containers are also useful for:

  • Kitchen renovations;
  • Home additions;
  • Roofing projects;
  • Fire or water restoration;
  • Apartment upgrades;
  • Property cleanouts; and
  • Multi-unit maintenance.

A 20ft container works well for many residential projects.

An 8ft portable storage container may be more suitable where driveway or yard space is limited.

5. Contractor-Yard Storage

Construction businesses often need year-round storage for:

  • Spare tools;
  • Seasonal equipment;
  • Leftover materials;
  • Safety supplies;
  • Landscaping equipment;
  • Replacement parts; and
  • Business inventory.

Buying may be more cost-effective where the container will be used repeatedly. View our current shipping containers for sale.

6. Temporary Construction Offices

A modified shipping container may be used as a temporary office, meeting room or plan room.

Possible modifications include:

  • Personnel doors;
  • Windows;
  • Insulation;
  • Lighting;
  • Electrical connections;
  • Heating or cooling; and
  • Interior wall finishes.

Local planning, building, electrical, fire-safety and accessibility requirements should be checked before using a container as an occupied workspace.

Which Shipping Container Size Is Best for Construction?

Container Best Uses
8ft Small renovations, tools and compact sites
20ft General construction storage and residential projects
40ft Commercial projects, pallets and large equipment
High cube Taller equipment and additional storage height
Double door Access from both ends
Open side Bulky materials and frequent loading

A 20ft container is the most versatile option for many contractors.

A 40ft container provides greater capacity but requires additional delivery and placement space.

Should Contractors Rent or Buy?

Rent a Container When:

  • The project is temporary;
  • The completion date may change;
  • You need the container collected afterwards;
  • Storage requirements vary between jobs; or
  • You do not want responsibility for long-term ownership.

View shipping containers for rent.

Buy a Container When:

  • You need permanent storage;
  • You have a way to haul it;
  • You manage recurring projects;
  • You have a contractor yard;
  • You plan to modify the unit; or
  • You expect to use the container for several years.

View new and used containers for sale.

Grand Box NorthWest also offers rent-to-own storage containers.

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