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In late December 2023, we completed the acquisition of an exciting company called Rent-A-Container (RAC), founded by Brandon and Lauren Dietrich in King of Prussia, PA. That acquisition (and the others we have made over the past 12 months) presented an opportunity to use our ModuGo logistics software to better service portable storage and containerized office needs throughout the Country. With Brandon joining our team to lead our Northeast expansion, we are excited to formally announce our next phase and new name: The Rent-A-Container Network (Powered by ModuGo). The Rent-A-Container Network is the latest step in our plan to give customers a single nationwide provider of portable storage and containerized offices at competitive rates. By visiting our website (www.rentacontainer.com) customers can access our network of branch locations using the ModuGo logistics engine to find the best combination of price, speed and quality to meet their needs. Unlike other portable storage providers that solely offer options from their limited branch locations, RAC uses the ModuGo engine to identify the least expensive, swiftest option to meet a customer’s needs (even if RAC needs to acquire the asset to fulfill the order). Because our software is constantly optimizing shipping costs, available inventory and timing, customers can rent or purchase shipping containers knowing they are receiving the best option available for them and their needs. The Rent-A-Container Network includes owned regional brands such as “Rent-A-Container,” “ModuGo,” “A-1 Portable Storage,” and “Kelcon.”

Your business needs storage and shipping containers are the chosen solution. Perhaps you have already decided on the number of containers you need and what sizes, features and accessories you want. Excellent! That means you are ready to make the last big decision before you secure your containers: leasing vs. buying a storage container.  Knowing when to rent a shipping container and when to buy one can save you money, time and stress. But how do you decide? You must carefully consider several key factors.  To help, we have put together a list of pros and cons of leasing vs. buying a storage container.  For the answers you need, keep reading and reach out to Rent-A-Container’s team of storage container experts.     When to Lease a Shipping Container: Pros and Cons Storage container rentals offer a lot of flexibility and convenience. But they can fall short if you need long-term storage. Here are some of the pros and cons of shipping containers for rent.    Flexible Shipping Container Rentals Knowing when to rent a storage container is the first step. Then, you have to decide how long you want to hold onto it. The good news is that there are several types of storage container leases available.  From full-service master leases, long-term leases, short-term and even one-way leases, you can find a shipping container rental agreement that fits your unique needs. At Rent-A-Container, the length of your storage container rental is in your hands because we never lock you into long term contracts. After an initial three-month minimum rental period, you can hang onto your storage container for as little or as long you’d like, paying just one flat fee every month.    Storage Container Damage? You May Be on the Hook Pretty much any shipping container lease you sign is going to have a provision that puts you financially on the hook for damage outside of normal wear and tear.  If you are considering leasing vs. buying a storage container, it’s important to think about your intended use for the container.  Do you want to be able to modify a container you own or be careful with one you rent?   Shipping Containers for Rent: The Latest and Greatest When you buy a container, that’s the type of shipping container you are going to have until you sell it or it is too old to use anymore. But if you rent a storage container, you can choose the latest model and updated features.  For example, you can rent a standard container for a few months and then upgrade to a rented refrigerated container. If you had purchased that standard container to begin with, you would have to buy a whole new container to get the new features you need.   Rented Containers Are Not Approved for All Uses While flexibility is typically on the side of rental containers in the leasing vs. buying a storage container debate, there is one way in which buying a container could offer more flexibility.  You can store anything you want in a purchased container, but storage container rental agreements typically prohibit certain items, such as hazardous materials.   Container Rentals Are Cost-Effective in the Short Term… While storage container prices when purchasing can reach into the tens of thousands, renting one can cost less than $120 per month.  Knowing when to lease a storage container depends on you knowing how long your business will need it.  At Rent-A-Container, storage container rentals start at just $115 a month and increase based on the size and type of container you decide to lease.   …But Can Be More Expensive in the Long Term If you plan to use the container for more than a few years, the monthly cost of renting a storage container can easily become more expensive than buying the container outright.    Renting a Shipping Container Is Like Taking a Test Drive Do you need a 20-foot container or a 40-foot container? Standard or high cube? Do you really know what you need?  If not, renting a storage container can be a great way to “test drive” a certain type of container before committing to a big purchase.   You Can’t Sell a Container You Didn’t Buy Leasing a storage container is kind of like renting an apartment. While the month-to-month costs are lower than buying, you don’t build any equity or gain any real assets.  That means what you spend on shipping container rentals is a sunk cost. Buying a container, on the other hand, can allow you to resell it and recover some value if your needs change.   Storage Container Transportation: Hassle-Free if You Rent This is one of the key benefits of leasing vs. buying a storage container. Transporting containers takes special equipment and money. And if you own the container, you have to transport it yourself or pay someone else to do it.  But shipping container rental companies like Rent-A-Container will often drop off containers at your choice of location and come pick them up when you are done.   When to Buy a Storage Container: Pros and Cons After a global shipping container shortage in 2020, many companies faced this question in a big way: should I buy or rent a storage container? Of course, just like the pros and cons listed for renting a storage container, there are pros and cons to buying a storage container. Many of the reasons to buy a storage container are simply the flip side of the cons of leasing a storage container, but it is important to consider all sides before you make your decision.  Here is what you need to know before you buy a storage container.   Buying a Storage Container: A Long-Term Investment Purchasing a container is a long-term investment. It is an asset your business can own, leverage, use and sell. That helps your business build value in the long term.   But Purchasing a Container Comes with Larger Upfront Costs However, that

Helping people find the right shipping container rental to meet their needs is the Rent-A-Container mission.  Part of achieving that goal means answering shipping container rental questions on a regular basis.  To help you as you shop for rental storage containers, our shipping container experts here at Rent-A-Container have put together this comprehensive list of shipping container rental FAQs.  These are the most common shipping container rental questions we receive, so keep reading for the answers you need.  Of course, for personalized help contact Rent-A-Container today.     Your Shipping Container Rental Questions: Answered Got questions about renting a shipping container? We have answers. See below.   Should I Rent a Shipping Container or Buy One? How about Rent to Own? This is one of the most common shipping container rental questions we receive, and for good reason. The answer is complicated and depends on your situation.  If you know you are going to need the shipping container permanently, then you probably want to buy containers. But if you have cost restrictions or aren’t sure how long you will need your container for, renting containers may be the better option. These options allow you to get a shipping container now without putting a lot of money down upfront.  For more information, check out our container rental guide.   How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Shipping Container? The price of a shipping container rental will vary depending on your needs. For example, some shipping container rental companies will charge more for short-term leases or newer containers. At Rent-A-Container, our base lease rates are as low as $115 per month. We don’t change rental rates over time, and we don’t do cumbersome long-term shipping container rental contracts. We are all about flexibility to meet your needs. Here are Rent-A-Container’s starting monthly rental rates for each size and type of shipping container: 20 ft. Wind and Watertight (WWT) container: $115 20 ft. Cargo Worthy (CW) container: $175 40 ft. WWT container: $139 40 ft. High Cube WWT container: $149 40-foot CW container: $159 40-foot High Cube CW container: $250 Need a shipping container at a specific site? Browse available containers on our website, using your zip code to find a shipping container for rent near you.   How Long Are Shipping Container Rental Contracts? Shipping container rental contracts can range from months to multiple years. Some companies will allow month-to-month container rental contracts after the initial rental period is up, while others are more strict about long-term leases.  Rent-A-Container allows month-to-month shipping container rentals after a three-month minimum lease period. In a monthly agreement, you can hang on to the container for as long as you would like and be charged at the beginning of each month. When you’re done, we come pick it up.   Do You Need a Permit to Have a Rented Storage Container on Your Property? This is one of the toughest shipping container rental questions to answer because it depends so heavily on local zoning laws, homeowners’ association rules and state laws. Check with your local government to see if you need a permit for keeping a shipping container on your property.   What Are the Available Sizes for Shipping Container Rentals? The most common lengths of shipping containers for rent are 20 ft. and 40 ft. A standard container is 8 feet and six inches tall, and a high cube container is a foot taller.  Some container leasing companies, such as Rent-A-Container, offer additional sizes of containers. We also offer 10 ft. containers and 45 ft. containers for rent.   Can I Rent to Own a Storage Container? YES! Rent-to-own shipping containers are available, but they are not very common. Rent-A-Container is the industry leader in easy rent to own options. With no credit checks or cumbersome application process, you can checkout in just minutes and have a container delivered on site for the lowest possible amount.   Can I Move My Rented Storage Container from Place to Place? While shipping and storage containers are meant to be moved with relative ease, doing so does require specialized equipment and can cause damage to the container. Most storage container rentals are meant for on-site, durable, stationary storage.  While our shipping container rentals are not meant to be moved while on lease, we understand that moving containers is sometimes necessary.  On a case-by-case basis, Rent-A-Container will sometimes give approval to move a container during a lease. If this is something you are considering, contact our team to discuss it further.   How Do I Rent a Shipping Container? Here is how renting a shipping container works with most companies:  You call the supplier or meet with a representative You wait for a price quote You and the supplier discuss shipping container rental terms Once agreed and purchased, you arrange for the delivery and pickup At Rent-A-Container, we like to approach the shipping container rental process a little differently.  With Rent-A-Container: You browse our website: Find the right container rental for you Get an instant price Put it in your cart Fill out less than a minute’s worth of documentation Pick your container up or have us help get it delivered to you — we will do what it takes to make the process easy and transparent for you. Of course, if you need assistance or want help throughout the process, our team is available to guide you over the phone.   How Can I Find Shipping Containers for Rent Near Me? Many shipping container suppliers maintain depots at ports and similar industrial areas in major cities around the world. The typical process involves contacting the closest supplier and asking what they have available. Rent-A-Container’s website can save a lot of time when it comes to finding a container for rent near you.  Simply enter your ZIP code, and our online shipping container store will present results that are closest to you.  Still on the fence about renting vs. buying a shipping container? Learn more about the advantages

While the needs of businesses vary dramatically from industry to industry, the one thing they all have in common is a need for storage.  Purchasing and owning that storage can be costly and some companies don’t have the margin or operational structure to buy and maintain their own storage containers. Those that find themselves with a temporary need for storage or those that want to avoid the costs of acquiring and maintaining their own containers often opt for container rentals or leasing. Container rental comes with its own set of questions and processes that can sometimes feel overwhelming. If you are looking to rent a shipping container, we have everything you need to know right here. Rent-A-Container has a team of professionals who work tirelessly to make this process easy for businesses and individuals alike. Our daily goal is to make renting intermodal containers as easy as possible. To learn more about container rentals, read on or contact Rent-A-Container today.     Why Rent a Shipping Container? Whether you are considering shipping containers for your business or for personal use, the reasons to rent a container stack up quickly. Let’s take a look at renting vs. buying containers and how you might be able to use your unit.   Renting vs. Buying Storage Containers If you plan to use a shipping container often, you might wonder why you should rent instead of buy. For year-round use, buying a shipping container may be your best bet.  Most businesses, however, do not use shipping containers on a daily basis. Instead, there are selling seasons or specific use cases. Once a shipment is complete or storage is no longer needed, then what? Where does a purchased unit go? You have to move the shipping container and/or find a place to store it. Both of these tasks cost money. There is a significantly higher cost to buying a shipping container outright compared to a container rental. For example, an 8-foot by 40-foot high cube container with a standard door can easily cost as much as $4,000 to purchase. But a rental container with the same specifications can cost as little as $115 per month.  In this case, you would have to use your purchased container for more than 40 months to outweigh the cost benefit of renting the same container. And that does not take into account the fees tied to taxes, storage, transportation and maintenance.   Common Uses for Rented Shipping and Storage Containers A couple of obvious uses come to mind when you think about storage or shipping containers: storage and shipping. But the versatility of rental containers goes far beyond what’s in the name. Because rentals are shorter-term and lower-cost, rented containers offer an agile solution to all kinds of business and logistics scenarios.  The following are some common uses for rented containers: Construction jobsite storage Tool and supply storage in agriculture Overflow educational storage space Additional storage for personal use Small-scale, warehouse-style storage for retail businesses Are you in construction and looking for more cases where shipping containers can come in handy? Check out these 15 reasons to rent or buy construction storage containers.   Choose Your Rental Container Size When you start to understand how it works to rent a storage container, one of the first considerations is how large you want the container to be. Let’s take a look at some of the most common container sizes.   10 ft. Shipping Container Rentals At 8 feet wide and 10 feet long, a 10-foot shipping container is a great option for anyone who needs to fit a lot into a small space. While 10-foot container rental prices can vary widely and depend on availability, these smaller containers can sometimes be more expensive than larger options. That’s because this is not a standard size for overseas freight, meaning the container has to be modified for storage use.   20 ft. Shipping Container Rentals The 20-foot shipping container is one of the most popular options for renting and buying. These tend to be the most affordable and convenient option. They are the same width as the 10-foot containers (8 feet), meaning they can still pack a lot of storage space into a small spot.   Recommended Reading: How Much Can a 20 Foot Shipping Container Hold?   40 ft. Shipping Container Rentals If you have the space for a 40-foot storage container, this can be your best option for high-volume or large item storage. While they offer double the space of the 20-foot containers, they are not double the price. And they are often the best value per cubic foot of storage space.   Recommended Reading: How Much Can a 40 Foot Shipping Container Hold?   45 ft. Shipping Container Rentals The 45-foot shipping container tends to be the largest option available. Often called sea crates or railcar containers, these large containers are a common sight on huge sea freighters, trains, or cranes at port. That, of course, is not the only use for these containers, which offer the most storage per unit of any common container rental option.   Select a Shipping Container Style Size is the first step, but then you have to make several decisions about the style of the container you plan to rent.    Height A standard shipping container is 8 feet, 6 inches tall. If you need a little extra height, you can opt for a high cube container. These containers offer an additional foot of height (at 9 feet, 6 inches). While that may not sound like much, the additional foot of headroom multiplied by the total floor space of the container adds up quickly. High cube containers are available in almost all of the same sizes as standard storage containers. However, the 10-foot container is often only available in standard height. Keep in mind that more space is not always better. Carefully calculate the total amount of space you have or will need to understand whether a high cube or standard container best

Whether you are a large manufacturer, a construction company, or a small retail business, you will undeniably need additional storage. None of the above? The need for a storage solution may still come around. Storage needs may be temporary or ongoing. As your business grows, material needs will increase. Once a warehouse or space is full, storage containers provide a cost-efficient solution. Some businesses decide to pay for off-site storage, but that introduces an immediate barrier to accessing tools, equipment and supplies.  Many companies in this situation rent a storage container (or rent multiple storage containers) to keep on-site. If you would like to learn more, check out the 12 key benefits of renting a storage container, shop shipping containers available to rent, and contact the shipping container experts at Rent-A-Container.      Benefit #1) Renting a Storage Container Is Cost-Effective The first question most companies have is: how much does it cost to rent a storage container? It is a surprisingly modest investment. Unless you intend to expand your building or warehouse and have a permanent container storage solution, renting a shipping container may be the best financial decision. Buying a storage unit can be cost prohibitive or unnecessary in the long run. Renting a storage container can be less than $120 per month. Are you a construction company looking for storage solutions? Check out 5 ways to enhance your construction site with jobsite storage containers.   Benefit #2) Storage Containers Save Space How much space do storage containers take up? Again, the answer may surprise you. Compared to the footprint of expanding a building or even constructing a new warehouse, storage containers are space-conscious. A 20-foot standard storage container adds 160 square feet, while a 40-foot container nets 320. Storage units can be purchased in different sizes to exactly fit the space you have.    Benefit #3) Reliable Security For Storage Containers Even if your property is fenced in, items stored without the right security leave you vulnerable to loss. Securable storage containers are a reliable way to keep large or valuable items out of view. With walls of corrugated steel and a chain lock, a storage container is going to present a big challenge to even the most motivated thieves. As an added bonus, you can position your rented storage container so your security cameras can monitor if any unwanted visitors come along.   Benefit #4) Portable Storage Containers: Rent and Use As-Needed If you buy a storage container rather than renting it, you run the risk of solving a temporary problem with a permanent solution. You may know that your storage needs fluctuate. Whether you are using a storage container for inventory or project-based equipment, it may be advisable to consider the cost/benefit of renting versus buying a storage container.  One of the biggest benefits of renting a storage container is the flexibility it offers. You don’t have to keep it when you don’t need it. It can go back to the shipping container supplier from whom you rented it. When renting a storage container from Rent-A-Container, you can keep the container for as long or as little as you would like after an initial three month rental period. When your container has served its purpose, you can click “come pick it up” in your account, and Rent-A-Container will arrange for someone to come grab it.    Benefit #5) With a Rental Storage Container, You Can Change Your Mind If you buy a shipping container online, you have made a sizable investment without much room to back out or return the unit. While you can perform the right measurements and work with a rep to find a storage container for the space, you may find that your needs change quickly or often.  When deciding on renting versus buying a storage container, it’s easy to see that a rented storage container gives you more leeway.    Benefit #6) Choose From a Variety of Storage Container Types  Storage containers aren’t all simple steel boxes. People often use them as overflow classroom space for schools and even restaurant drive-thrus. While your storage container needs might be for static storage, you may benefit from a specialty type of container. If you need double doors in order to store large items, you can rent a container with double doors. What about doors that open along the side of the container? There are side-door storage containers for rent, too.   Benefit #7) Portable Storage Container Rental Services If your work involves moving from job site to job site, you know how much effort it is to pack everything up and move it. If you own your storage containers, you have to move them too, whether they’re going back to headquarters or to another location.  Convenience is one of the most important ways to benefit from storage container rental services. If you rent a storage container only when you need extra tools or supplies, you can have the shipping container provider drop it off at the site and pick it up when you are done. Storage container delivery alleviates all the heavy lifting and gives you an easier experience.   Benefit #8) Storage Container Rentals May Come With Tax Benefits Your situation may vary, but leasing a storage container instead of buying one may offer some tax benefits. Renting vs. buying equipment is an important strategy that directly impacts your bottom line. It may be possible to deduct lease payments as operating expenses. Discuss the tax benefits of renting vs. buying storage containers with your tax professional.   Benefit #9) Storage Container Maintenance: None Required (For Rentals) If you buy a storage container, maintenance and upkeep are your responsibility for the life of the unit. But if you go with a storage container rental, you don’t have to worry about the wear and tear that can occur over time. For example, if rust, moisture or even bad smells creep in, that’s the storage container rental company’s problem — not yours.   Benefit

To the untrained eye, backyard shipping containers serve as nothing more than extra storage space. But for creative minds, these versatile boxes provide boundless building opportunities. Whatever imaginative ideas you have, shipping containers can serve as a blank canvas for your next creative backyard project. Before you jump into your backyard shipping container project, you need to understand some vital information first. If you want to learn more about container projects and discover some imaginative shipping container backyard ideas, read on. Whether you want to build a shipping container pool or need some extra storage space, Rent-A-Container has the containers you need. To buy or lease a shipping container for your next project, give us a call at 800-880-7061.     Can You Put a Shipping Container in Your Backyard? Before you start setting your heart on your new backyard project or make any plans, you need to answer some important questions. Mainly, can you put a shipping container in your backyard? Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear-cut answer here. Whether you can or can’t put a shipping container in your backyard will depend on where you live. Additionally, zoning laws are going to vary depending on your intended use. In most cases, you can have a shipping container in your backyard. Always check your local laws to make sure, though. Another factor that could haunt you in the future is your neighbors. While you might love the idea of having a shipping container project in your yard, your neighbors might not be too keen on the idea. Bad blood aside, you’ll want to make sure you aren’t violating any neighborhood agreements or HOA rules.   Check Your Zoning Zoning helps break up large parcels of land into different zones to determine what structures you can build there. Your home, for example, is in residential zoning. Your favorite coffee shop? Well, that’s commercial. Cities use zoning laws to help plan growth and keep similar types of buildings grouped. If you have ever noticed how shops and stores tend to congregate in certain areas, you’ve noticed the effects of zoning. If you happen to live in the United States or one of the many other countries that mandate zoning, you’re going to have to deal with zoning laws. Typically, cities will break down zones into categories like commercial or residential. However, other, more targeted categories exist in some areas. For example, Tallahassee, Florida, uses an R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-5 residential zoning system.  In this system, knowing which zone you are in relates to what kinds of buildings you can have on your property. If you reside in an R-1 zone, you are only allowed a single-unit residence. Zoning laws like this help regulate neighborhood spaces but can be a hurdle if you plan on using shipping containers in your yard. Additionally, your intended use is a factor. If you plan on using that shipping container as a habitable space, the city will consider the container as an addition to your home. Without checking local guidelines beforehand, you could end up in violation of your zoning laws. Once you have a handle on zoning, other local laws and ordinances will need to be understood before you build.   Learn Local Laws and Ordinances The next thing you’ll want to tackle is local building codes and getting the proper permitting. In the United States, most local building codes base themselves on the International Code Council’s International Residential Code (IRC). Keep in mind that your city might have its own building codes. Building codes set standards for plumbing, electrical work and fire safety. To get the correct permits to build your backyard shipping container project, you’ll need to satisfy these requirements. As you have probably gathered by now, these regulations can vary quite a bit and depend heavily on your location. Finding out what these rules are before you start planning your project is an essential step. If you have any doubts, contacting a local general contractor or architect might be beneficial. Some municipalities are working at a lightning pace to push ordinances limiting shipping container projects. In Thief River Falls, Minnesota, the city council plans to issue an ordinance banning shipping container use in residential zoning. As container projects become more common, other cities might react in a similar way. This is why a firm understanding of local laws is paramount to the success of your project. The last thing you want to do is ignore these rules. If you do, it could mean costly fines down the road or, worse yet, the downfall of your newly built backyard shipping container project.   How to Get a Shipping Container Into Your Backyard Now that we have answered the question of whether you can have a shipping container in your backyard, let’s get to the “how.”  The first step is deciding what type of container you need for your project. There are many different types of shipping containers to choose from — so many choices, in fact, that making a decision may feel daunting.  To give you an idea of which will be the perfect fit for your shipping container backyard ideas, let’s look at a quick overview of some options: Sizes — Choose from 10-foot shipping containers to extra spacious 40-foot containers. Type by condition — Shipping containers come in all types of conditions. From as-is to one-trip, cargo-worthy to wind and watertight. Height — A standard shipping container is 8 ft 6 in tall. If you need a bit more vertical space, high-cube containers add an extra foot for you to use. Door style — Shipping containers come with different doors, too. If the standard doesn’t work with your project, double-door and side-door containers might. Once you have a good idea of which container meets your project demands, the next step is ordering your shipping container.   Ordering a Shipping Container Now comes the easy part. Once you have an idea of what you are looking for, all you need to