Renting a shipping container comes with many benefits.

People often use containers to store their things whenever they’re working on something or moving. They provide enough space to store plenty of objects and they come with a variety of features.

If you have an upcoming event in which you think a storage container would be useful, you should know about several tips for renting them. Renting storage containers isn’t a difficult process, but knowing a few things will help you choose one that’s suitable for you.

Here are 4 smart tips for renting storage containers!

1. Figure Out How Large You Need It to Be

One of the first things you’ll want to do when renting a container is to decide how large need it to be. Many people will get containers that are too small for their projects, forcing them to spend more money to get another one.

Storage containers come in many sizes, so it’s easy to choose a container that fits your needs. The best thing you can do is to measure the largest things you’ll be storing in the container. From there, you can look into the dimensions of various containers to see which ones would be compatible.

You’ll need to take into account of all the objects that you plan on storing in the container because you may not have enough space if you only go off one. Smaller objects will fit inside or on the larger ones, so focus on measuring things like furniture.

You can always move things in and out of the containers when need be, so you may not need one that’s big enough for everything. If you’re moving and are seeking temporary storage, you could try storing a few things in the container while bringing the rest to your new place.

2. Decide What Features You Want

Some people want movable storage containers whereas others just want a secure facility in which they can store their belongings. All storage containers are built to securely hold whatever you put within them. However, they come in many different styles and features, making some better options depending on what you want.

Premium Locks

All storage facilities place locks on their containers, but premium locks are more secure as they require more than a key to open. Instead of using a traditional lock, some storage containers will use keypad locks that require you to input a code to open it.

Those that do require keys often have complex lock systems similar to the vaults that banks use. The keys for these locks can’t be replicated like the ones that most of the cheap locking mechanisms use.

Doors

Doors don’t offer much of a difference other than convenience. If you’re looking to get in and out of the container as quickly as possible, a traditional door would be more accessible than the garage-like doors that most containers use.

A container that has a door on both sides would also benefit those that are looking to move things often. With a door on either side, you won’t have to build a pathway within the container to get to something in the back.

Storage and Office

Some storage containers will have storage/office combos that provide office space for anyone looking to get work done while at the container. These are commonly used by construction companies because they’re durable and won’t put the office equipment at risk.

3. Read Through the Company’s Policy

Before you start renting a storage container, you should review the company’s policy to see how long you can rent it. Some companies will go as far as restricting what kind of objects you put in their containers.

Doing this will also allow you to see what kind of features the containers have and how much they cost. After you’ve figured out what kind of container you want and for how long, you can ask the company about your options.

4. Make the Moving Process Simple

Although renting containers isn’t a difficult process, many people make it hard on themselves when they don’t plan. Before you start the rental process, you’ll need to ensure that you have everything packed and prepared to store.

This will save you both time and money because you’ll be able to make the most out of your rental period. You also won’t have to worry about forgetting something when you start storing things.

The best way to pack your things is to store as much as possible within boxes. Even, square boxes will allow you to fit more in a storage container. Try to make them organized so that you can quickly find certain things later.

While you can get away with last-minute changes if you have a container with two doors, it will be much more difficult to move things around in most containers.

Understanding the terms and conditions of the rental agreement will also make the process simpler because you’ll know what to expect before you start moving things.

Consider Renting Storage Containers Today

While storage is something that many people struggle to deal with while moving or renovating, renting storage containers would remove a lot of stress during your project. In most cases, you won’t have to rent more than one.

If you want to rent a container, be sure to start thinking about what you’ll be using it for. From there, you can decide what size you’d like.

4 Smart Tips for Renting Storage Containers