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Expert Guide to Understanding the Pricing Structure of Storage Container Rentals

Last Updated: January 17, 2023

Ryan Maguire
Fact Checked By: Ryan Maguire
15 Year Expert in construction, landscape design, home improvement and maintenance.

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If your storage needs are short term, renting a storage container is almost always a better idea than buying one. If you need extra storage space during a move or renovation, for example, renting a storage container is the most cost effective option.

Consumers and businesses used to have very limited options when it came to storage. You had to rent an offsite unit, load up a truck and transport your items back and forth. But the advent of portable storage containers changed all that. Now, storage containers are delivered right to your home or business. When you don't need them anymore, make one phone to have them picked up.

Storage container rentals usually cost anywhere from $200 to $500 per month, depending on the type of container. That does not include the cost of delivery, which can run anywhere from $100 to $500.

Storage Container Rentals for Home #

Portable storage containers for consumers come in several sizes, but the most common are 12' tall containers that hold one or two rooms of furniture and 16' tall containers that hold three or four rooms. The smallest size available is generally 7'.

Expect to pay $200 to $300 per month for the container, not including pickup and delivery charges, which vary based on your proximity to the dealer. Even if you only need the container for a couple days, most dealers won't go any lower than the one-month rate.

If you're renting a storage container for a move, you'll also need to factor in the cost of transportation. If you're moving across town, transportation costs might be a couple hundred dollars or less. If you're moving across the country, you might have to budget thousands.

Storage Container Rental for Businesses #

For businesses, simple dry containers in 20' and 40' heights run $50 to $300 per month, while containers that have been modified, insulted or refrigerated cost $125 to $500. Delivery charges are also based on proximity to the dealer.

Businesses that expect to hang onto their storage container for a year or two might be able to shave off some of the monthly expense by committing to an extended lease. There are considerable savings to be had if you sign an 18 or 24 month rental agreement.

If you're planning to keep the storage unit beyond two years, however, you might want to think about purchasing one. At that length of time, the cost of purchasing a storage container is comparable to the cost of renting.

For extremely short-term storage needs, some dealers offer daily rental rates as low as $3 to $10. But delivery and pickup charges will still apply.

Use Our Free Service and Find Storage Container Dealers Near You #

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