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I was wondering if anyone has used a storage container for workshop/tractor storage. When I used to commercial fish 5 of us lived in a container 2 sets of bunk beds and a cot. I just thought if I could find one cheap I could convert it into a nice workshop. What are your thoughts on this?
Steve
I have also been thinking of one of those. I was thinking of just short term though. Some place to store stuff till the house is done. Do people rent them? Where do you get them?
I see these things behind all the big box stores lately. They must not have planned their storage needs well enough. Around here (not sure if it's local or not) the name on them is often "Kingman Mobile Lease".
I would think a container would make a fine tractor barn, it's probably what the imports come over on anyway [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
I looked into those a while ago. They advertise in www.auto-rv.com all the time. One problem I ran into was that every place that I called said I was responsible for getting it moved and they didn't provide any help as to how to accomplish that. I just checked again though and I see one of them, www.secontainers.com is offering delivery. I'm sure it's not cheap getting one hauled, though. Another thing I didn't like was that they are quite narrow. The last, and probably biggest, problem was that my wife balked at how it would look, so I'd of had to stick it deep in the woods where it wouldn't be seen, which would be inconvenient. I finally concluded that a metal carport/garage would be a better option for roughly the same cost.
Check out this website:
HandiStorage
It will give you an idea of what they cost.
The place we've been buying our feed from for the past 10 years had a storage trailer parked next to their storage garage. They keep feed, seed, wood chips, etc. in this place. This year they decided to build a barn addition to the storage garage. I asked the owner about it and he said that he made a mistake leasing the storage container for so long since he had spent what it cost him to put the pole barn up. He said if he had it to do over agin, he would have put the barn up in the first place. Seems it was all too easy to keep paying the monthly charge for the trailer.
MY neighnor has a box car for his shop. I see ads in the newspaper to buy storage boxes and old semi trailers for a low price.
Twenty foot land/sea/air containers start around $1,000-$1,500 here. Forty footers run more but not double. Old semi box trailers with roll up rear and no side doors in the 40'-45' lengths start about the same money. The trade offs are that you can move those a little more readily but also have to climb 5 steps every time you want to use one on it's tandems, too.
Gary - Who is the company that is selling 20' containers starting at $1000?
Here are some questions I asked the folks at www.secontainers.com and the answers I got:
Are the storage containers you sell suitable for storing furniture, such as couches and beds? That is, how tight are they sealed?
You can store furniture in our containers. All of our equipment is warranted wind and water tight.
What would the shipping charges be for a 20' storage container? This would be to a residential home in the country near Columbus, Indiana. How do you unload the container from the truck bed?
Shipping rate to Columbus, In.-$275.00, with a unit shipped from Indianapolis. We do stock equipment in Indy.
Containers are shipped on a roll-off trailer, sets right on the ground without any lifting.
I did a quick estimate of the cost of a container vs the cost of a garage by the square foot.
I figured (roughly) a 24'x24' pole barn/garage would cost about $3000, if I do the labor. That would not include the concrete floor. Adding a concrete floor would bring it up to roughly $3500. That works out to about $6 per square foot, with me doing all the work.
I can get a 20'x8' container for $1250 plus $275 delivery, so the total would be $1525. That includes a floor strong enough to hold a small vehicle (Jeep, compact diesel tractor). That works out to $9.50 per square foot, and I don't have to do any work.
So, the pole barn/garage wins out as far as cost per square foot is concerned, as long as you don't mind doing the work and have the time. Advantages that I can think of: looks good, adds value to property, even more storage room up on the rafters, should last the rest of my life, can drive a full size truck into it. Disadvantage: takes time and work to build.
The storage container would be a good way to go if someone doesn't need as much square footage and doesn't want to spend as much (why spend $3500 if you can spend $1500 and get what you need?). Advantages I can think of: quick, easy, can be moved. Disadvantages: doesn't look good, can't get a full size truck in it.
Now that I've found a place that will deliver a storage container for a reasonable price, at this point I'm leaning toward thinking seriously of getting a 20' one. I just ordered a 18'Wx26'L metal carport to have installed on my future pole barn/garage site, since I've run out of time to even get started on building anything. If it works out good, which I expect it will since all I really need right now is something to park under to keep the dew and frost off the windows etc, then I may even leave it there for 2 winters. I could have a container plopped down just inside the woods and put a lot of stuff in there that I'm currently storing in my attached garage (Jeep CJ-5 and other misc stuff), so that would make a lot more room in the garage, which would postpone the need for the future pole barn/garage. So, with the $850 carport and a $1500 container, I would have the storage room I need right now and only spend $2350 and let someone else do all the work
One thing to note is that those storage containers are almost impossible to break into. If you want to store some valuable items, the container is a good way to go.
They are great for storage and security but any way you slice it they are ugly! Just my view but I think they look tacky no matter how good of shape they are in and how they are decorated or painted. Maybe I am biased against them because I see scores of them every time I go to work. They are stacked in storage yards, hauled up and down the highways on trucks, stacked several high on the ships in the ship channel and form endless lines on railcars that block my path in front of my job. I have considered buying one myself for storage use but I can't bring myself to do it because I just think it would look ugly and tacky sitting on my property.
I think they're best suited for true temporary storage and nothing more. If you're building something and need somewhere to store tools and such during the process they're a great solution. For much of anything beyond that the 'ugly' factor creeps in.
I can live with something like that for a short time for a specific purpose but not for the long haul. The cost analysis of the temporary storage vs. building a garage was a good one. I've known of a couple people who built a separate garage and put in plumbing and heat and actually lived there while building their dream home. When that was done they had a nice free-standing shop with heat and plumbing. [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
In one case the husband is an avid woodworker while the wife is into pottery. They each use a portion of that building for their respective avocations and are able to clean up out there before going into their home. It has worked out great for them and, in the year they lived there while clearing their land and building their home they saved more than enough money on rent to pay for the building which is now their shared workshop. It was truly a win-win for them.
Good luck with whatever you decide. I hope this helps. [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
I've been looking for a 40 foot trailer from a tractor trailer to bring to my farm and store hay in. I don't like storing hay in my barn, there have been too many barn fires in my area. The biggest problem is having them transported. The old ones that are reasonable aren't that road worhty, and it's hard to find someone willing to transport them. I hope to get one before next summer.
I bought two semi-trailers several years ago for $500 each delivered sans axles. I painted one and put a gable roof on it for looks. Holds exactly 360 square bales and keeps them fresh as a daisy. The other I tediously placed across the bayou in my woodlot and cut the front-end out to use as a covered bridge.
I have two storage containers. Each is 20 ft long. Much more convenient than a single 40. Wasa planing to put at least one at the building site for our new house (still might) but looks like I'll be getting my garage/shop/tractor/implement building up before the house gets started in earnest and that might elliminate most of the incentive to move one of the storage containers. I was planning to put it on temporary axle and afix a temp trailer tongue to pull it to the site (on my property, no public roads involved). Only incentive left is a security issue for tools and high value materials.
I use them as lockable storage inside my larger shop. I figure it will slow the bad guys down enough to give the gendarmes a chance to arrive (monitored security system). Have to agree that they are truly U G L Y!!!
Pat
I wondered how many bales a trailer would hold. Now I know. Thanks!![img]/forums/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]
We were also planing on making it look like a barn, and doing some work on it. The roof idea is great![img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
How did they deliver it without the axle? What did it cost to have it delivered?[img]/forums/images/icons/confused.gif[/img]
I finally got myself a storage container. Because I don't have my bridge yet, and it had to be driven across my stream -- a 40' was out of the question, so instead I got a 20'.
Base Price: $1100
Painted Gray: $150
Lock box: $40
Delivery: $85
TOTAL: $1375
The base price on a 40' is $1350 -- only $250 more.
Yesterday I started taking my land-related items -- that I always have to transport back and forth from home to the property -- from my garage and placing it into the container.
Finally, a secure place to hold my Bobcat -- as well as keep it out of the weather.
Looks like a perfect fit for the Bobcat, Dave.
The paint job certainly makes the container a lot easier on the eyes.
Gatorboy,
What's missing in your picture???? [img]/forums/images/icons/confused.gif[/img]
Stogie!!! [img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
Arturo Fuente and JR's here..... [img]/forums/images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]
I've got a new order of cigars from Holts on it's way. I'll try and make sure I'm smokin' one when I include myself in another photo [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Which is your favorite 20-30 minute smoke?
Gary,
I try many different brands of cigars -- however, I usually buy Robustos, and prefer 4.5x50
That's my favorite! [img]/forums/images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] Arturo Fuente Chateau Fuente and JR's knock-off of that cigar.... [img]/forums/images/icons/blush.gif[/img]
You can make anything out of storage containers. I have seen the following applications: Shops-stacked two high on either side with a roof. Bunk houses, disaster housing, offices and much more. Sea cargo containers are strong enough to be loaded and stacked on ships. This is a great clip about cargo containers made into liveable space.
http://www.atlas-leasing.com/modern-...ner-city.xhtml
Someone else mentioned pricing. Prices are set according to market. I rent and sell in Atlanta, GA area. I am happy to give advice if you are looking in another part of the country.