Prepping Your Site for Easy Delivery

The Importance of Prepping your Site for Delivery

After you purchase your shipping container or conex box, you’ll need to prepare for delivery! It’s no secret that shipping containers are large and heavy. Whether you're buying or renting you’ll want to protect the ground you’re keeping it on, as well as the container itself.

For example, when the ground underneath a shipping container gets wet, the soil can stick to the bottom of the container and cause the exterior to degrade over time. Your storage container could also sink into your yard or site if not set up correctly.

Most times, shipping containers will be sitting in one place for an extended period of time. This means you will want to prep your site correctly to keep your yard, site, and container safe! Follow this quick guide to ensure you are ready for the delivery of your new container!

Site Access and Location

First, you want to consider the location and accessibility of your space. The area should have enough room for the delivery truck to maneuver and be easily accessible to anyone needing to get inside. Think about which direction you would like the doors to face, so you can plan for this before the driver arrives.

If possible, try to allow space to add another shipping container, in case your moving efforts, storage needs, or other project is bigger than you anticipated. Many renters and purchasers regret not leaving enough room for growth when setting up their container location for the first time.

If you decide there is not enough space at your home or site, or you just don’t want to go through the hassle, StorageContainer.com can provide a container and a space to store it at a location nearby.

Prepping the Ground for a Shipping Container

You’ll want to inspect the site for ground quality. The area should be firm, dry, and flat for the container to sit on without anything becoming damaged. High-sloped driveways, soft soil, and grassy areas are not ideal for your container to be placed during its stay with you. If necessary, consider creating a 3-inch gravel pad for your container if you must place it on unstable ground, and check it monthly for any sinking or tilting.

To protect your home or site for long-term container use, consider installing footings before your delivery. Footings are concrete slabs, blocks, or wooden planks that keep a container up off the soil. A concrete slab can be an extra expense on top of your container, so blocks made from steel, concrete, or wood are a good alternative for flood prevention and soil protection.

Lastly, ensure that the ground your container is sitting on is level. You can do this on your own by burying a 3-foot-long wooden stake one foot deep into the ground at the base of your home or site. Next, walk 100ft away from the area, and put another 3-foot stake into the ground. Attach a string taut between the two stakes. You will now be able to determine whether the string is level by placing a carpenter’s level tool on top of this string and checking the bubble. If your ground is not level, you may have to hire an excavator before your container’s arrival.

When You need a Permit

Permits are usually only required from homeowners if the container is getting placed on the street. If needed, your container provider will ask you to contact your city code enforcement office and obtain a permit. Permits are not usually required from the city for driveway placement.

If you are placing the container on a construction site, you may want to check the building regulations of your city. Some cities consider shipping containers as buildings and will therefore have to be up to city codes. If you need more help deciding if a permit is required for your project, you can hire a permit expediter to help you handle the legal work.

Choosing a Delivery Day

You’ll want to give yourself a lot of time the day of delivery to ensure everything gets set up properly. Check the weather beforehand for clear skies and get ready for your new container!

Overview

Starting a new project, moving, or clearing up your clutter can be exciting, but preparing your site or home for a shipping container is crucial! Remember to check your site access and location, prep your ground properly, acquire a permit if needed, and schedule a nice day for your delivery!

If you have any questions or need more assistance, StorageContainer.com is always here to help. Reach out to one of our offices for local information.

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