I had plans to build a shop this fall but I am going to use the cash to pay off the truck instead. I should have enough saved by next fall to build but in the meantime I need a place to store some toys....motorcycles, GTO, boat, and some spare engines. My two car garage is currently full of all this and I want to clear it out by the time winter rolls around.

I found a place that sells the 40' metal shipping containers for $2800 + $150 delivered. Is this a good option? Any personal experiences? What is the resale value if I ever want to sell it?

 

how wide is it?? you are probably looking at alot of moisture also

 

they are great dust and varmint proof I love my choice.



my shed is my metal shop

 

Just watch for rust...ours is moisture proof, but DEFINITELY not varmint proof. Every time we go in there (luckily not often) we have to fight rats, scorpions out the wazoo, and snakes. Theres little rust holes breaking through all the time. And $2800 sounds a little high...Theres a place close to me that sells them starting at $1400, and I think a 40' is somewhere around 1900. Of course, Im closer to the coast where they come from so maybe thats it.

 

Containers are wonderful! That price seems about right for a good 40' one.

When looking at them try the doors, look up from inside to see if the roof has holes pierced in it. Some have plywood floors and some have hardwood floors. The later the year of manufacturer the better. They are tight enough to keep even insects out if the gaskets are all good around the doors.

They come in 40', 20' and 53' lengths

You can coat the roof with a white trailer top roof coating that helps keep them cooler in the summer. The industry has a good cheap paint the works well on the outside of them. See if you can get one that has fresh paint with no logo on it. My 40' came painted and roof coated.

Leveling them is easy so just get it dropped off. A hydraulc jack, a level, and some blocking at the corners is about all you need. I set mine on conctete piers like the ones you can get at the building supply and fine tuned it with wood shims.

I park my tractor, my Samurai and some other materials in it.

 

quote; we have to fight rats, scorpions out the wazoo,

 

fOR THAT KIND OF MONEY YOU MAY BE ABLE TO BUY TWO 20'. SET THEM BESIDE ONE ANOTHER WITH 12" BETWEEN THEM--RUN SOME 2X8'S FROM ONE TO THE OTHER-- SHEET THE 2BY'S WITH STEEL SHEETING AND MAKES A GOOD DRIVE THRU "CARPORT" STORAGE.

 

I think the 20' option is better.
we use shipping cans all the time at work.. as long as you leave the corners and edges in place, the structural rigidity is there.
Set two side by side with the doors at opposite ends, cover the gap in the roof, weld the corners together and you have a 16X20 shop when you cut the wall skin out. We use http://www.equipmentmanagementservices.com/ and buy their like new containers.
just dont get carried away http://www.equipmentmanagementservic...05-18-0139.JPG

 

If you'll Google shipping container housing you might find an idea or two. Here's just one from that list.

http://www.fabprefab.com/fabfiles/containerbayhome.htm

 

We actually deliver those all over New England for a local dealer. They are very popular, the only draw back is keeping the hindges and door locking rods from rusting and binding, however any good spray grease takes care of that problem. I know up here you can rent them pretty cheap, depending on size it is usually $50-110 bucks a month including delivery, then you don't have to worry about selling it after. Good luck

Tim

 

THere around $70 a month to rent around here for a 40'. I bet they can get pretty hot in the summer. We rented one for a job and it had nice secreened over vents at each corner and a plywood floor. It sealed very tightly and no snow ever got in all winter. If you get two put them 12 feet apart as suggested and build a roof over the space for even more space.

 

We have used a light gauge skin and foam insulation on the inside and outside. a 10K btu AC keeps them toleratable.

 

I just bought a Trailmobile reefer, 53 x 102. It has almost four inches of foam insulation. Heating a cooling

 

i know a few people that have they seem to work good and stay dry i have them on job sites alll the time always dry whatever the weather.2800 sounds a little high though but its been awhile since i looked into them.

 

$2800 A few years ago when we were still deploying the first round of supplies overseas that might have been on the high side.... now that is outrageous! The $1400 number mentioned above is better, but around $1000 would be right. You want one that has been retired by the equipment owner because of age, not damage.

Before I started on my own I worked in the Intermodal industry. Containers are made in 20', 40', 45' and 53', but don't expect to get your hands on a 53. The 20's and 40's are most common.

I believe the BNSF runs right through your neck of the woods so you might want to check with the yardmaster at the local terminal before you go spending the big coin on a box from a retailer.