Did you buy or rent a container? Here we will go through the arrangements the containers need and give advice on how to go about them. As a rule, the preparation work is very simple, but neglecting it can complicate the usage of the container or even damage its structure.
1. Prepare for the arrival of the truck and the container
The first thing that needs to be done is to reserve a space for the container and the vehicle transporting it. You need to take into consideration the space that the truck needs to turn around and work safely when thinking about the location. By making preparations in advance you avoid redundant waiting times as well as any additional installation costs.
Things that need to be remembered
- Are there any power lines / trees / structures in the area that could prevent driving the vehicle onto the site or lifting the container off the vehicle?
- Will the truck have enough space to turn into your yard and will it be able to leave?
- Check the terrain – soft terrain might cause trouble with delivery, and in the worst-case scenario, it might totally prevent it. This is especially important after heavy showers of rain when the ground is very soft.
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| A container can even be set under a pentice with the help of a crane truck. |
2. Prepare the base for the container
Once the location of the container has been determined, it is time to prepare the base for the container. A well-prepared base will guarantee that the container works as planned, the container will face less wear and it will make using the container more convenient. The scope of the preparations will depend on the location since a container that is located on an asphalt yard will require less work than a container that is located at a cottage at the edge of a forest.
Things that need to be remembered
- Timber/plywood/cement blocks etc. to insert under the corners of the container so that the container will be slightly off the ground, allowing the air to circulate better. Thanks to the steel frame, the floor of the container is about 12cm off the ground, but over time the container will sink into the ground.
- The base of the container needs to be level, as it can be very inconvenient to use a container that has been installed awry or even break the container. This is especially important for office containers, exhibition containers and containers with a separate access door. The doors on a container that has been installed awry will not work/will break down due to the distortion.
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| Setting the container feet on an uneven base with the help of boards and a level. |
3. Be there to receive the container
Once the location of the container has been determined and the base is ready, all that remains is to receive the container.
We will always ask for a contact person and a phone number in conjunction with the delivery. This is done so that the driver can call the recipient before the delivery and agree on a more specific delivery time. It is very hard to determine an exact time of delivery in advance, as several factors will have an influence on the matter, such as traffic, delays and problems with finding the site.
By being there yourself or arranging somebody to receive the container, you are making sure that the container is located correctly and according to plans for sure.
What if I’m not there myself and I can’t get anyone there?
We know that it is not always possible to arrange for somebody to be there during the delivery. If this is the case, you need to mark the location of the container very clearly, let us know about it in advance and give us as detailed instructions as possible on which way the container should be located and to which direction the doors should open to.
A good rule of thumb: Imagine yourself driving a large truck into a strange place where you need to lower the container into the correct spot and the right way.
4. Special containers
Electricity and sewerage connections
Containers that utilize electricity and water (such as office containers, sanitary containers, reefer containers) require a bit more planning. The connections to electricity (power current) as well as sewerage need to be taken into consideration when choosing the location for the container.
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| Electricity and sewerage connections |
Permits
Generally speaking, containers are viewed as temporary storage, meaning no special permits are needed. However, you can read our earlier blog post on permits.