shipping container modifications

Renting Vs. Buying Shipping Containers: Is One Better Than the Other?

The custom shipping container store trend is thought to have been pioneered by Starbucks in 2011 when they opened a 450 square foot shipping container store in Washington. Since then, shipping container stores have been a growing movement for experiential marketing purposes. That being said, if you’re wondering whether you should rent or buy your shipping container, there are many factors to consider. Here’s what you need to know about your options when it comes to renting or buying shipping containers.

Your Intended Use

As mentioned, durable, steel shipping containers average a 25-year lifespan and require minimal maintenance, making them ideal for all types of experiential marketing projects. However, it’s important to first consider your exact intended use to determine whether renting or buying is a better option. The main use is essentially the plan for your shipping container: what level of modifications need to be made, and how many people are you anticipating? As a general rule of thumb, the more complicated your project is, the better it may be to buy the container flat out.

Length of Project Time

Similarly, think about how long your project will be set up. Shorter projects are better for renting, and longer projects may be better for buying.

Shipping Container Modifications and Sizing Needs

Downtown Container Park in Las Vegas spans approximately 19,000 square feet with a mix of 30 shipping containers and 41 multifunctional modular cubes forming its perimeter. While you’re very unlikely to need such a large number of containers, determining your sizing needs ahead of time can help you think about availability and make your choice between renting and buying that much easier. Most shipping containers are eight feet wide, 9.5 feet tall, and either 20 or 40 feet long, so think about how many modifications you’ll need to make to experiential marketing project ideas to life.

Here’s a fun fact: if every shipping container in the world were lined up end to end, they would circle the earth twice. That being said, modified shipping containers have virtually unlimited uses, and keeping these considerations in mind can help you determine whether renting or buying your container is a better option based on your specific needs. For more information about customized shipping container modifications, contact IPME.