On your site · In a depot · Short or long term

Storage container hire in the UK

Storage container hire can keep furniture, equipment or stock at your premises. Choose a container delivered to your site, or self-storage where you take your goods to a provider's premises. Compare the size, access and total cost for your dates and postcode.

Illustration of an open storage container, with its floor and metal walls.
Generated illustrative image

How much will your storage cost?

Choose the storage location and duration. You’ll then specify the items to be stored.

FreeNo obligation

Less than a month? Enter 1 month, then specify the dates in your request.

Check the storage hire cost breakdown

Storage container hire on your site or self-storage?

With delivered hire, you arrange a suitable location for the container on your land. With depot self-storage, the container stays at the provider's premises. Decide which arrangement suits your goods and how often you need access before requesting quotes.

A container delivered to you

On your ground or site

Your goods stay close to where you use them. Plan the container location, lorry access and door opening.

  • Get quotes for delivery, offloading and collection.
  • Have the ground and siting conditions validated.
  • Specify locking, equipment and stored goods.
Get a quote for a container on my site

Space at a professional's premises

In a storage depot

You bring your goods to a container placed at the centre. Look for a convenient location for your journeys and opening hours.

  • Check opening hours and access conditions.
  • Specify vehicles allowed near the container.
  • Count transport of goods and any additional services.
Get a quote for storage in my area

Storage hire costs: size, duration and postcode

Hire rates are quoted by the provider for the size, dates and location you need; this page does not publish a verified UK rental price sample. For a delivered container, give your postcode and site access details. A container purchase price does not describe a monthly storage service.

For delivery to your site, itemise hire, outward and return transport, lifting, positioning and any cleaning or repair charges. For depot storage, itemise the space, access terms, transport of your goods, insurance and any administration charges. Request the total including applicable VAT and confirm the minimum charge and notice period.

Prepare my storage hire quote

Choose the size with your goods, then check the doors.

Measure the bulkiest items and estimate the packed volume. Keep space to access goods you will need to retrieve during the hire.

20ft standard

33.1 m³Typical internal volume, before storage

For storing furniture, equipment or stock. Keep a walkway if you need to retrieve items regularly.

40ft standard

67.7 m³Typical internal volume, before storage

For a larger need. Check available space and loading organisation along the whole length.

40ft High Cube

76.3 m³Typical internal volume, before storage

To add height. Check door clearance and the height of items, including packaging and support.

The geometric volume is not fully usable once furniture, packaging and walkways are added. For a compact size, side opening or special dimensions, choose 'Other size' and describe your needs.

Useful dimensions: footprint, interior and door opening.The dimensions to check what will fit and prepare the container location.
T1Reference points for 20ft, 40ft and 40ft High Cube sizes.
Dimension20ft Dry1CC / 22G140ft Dry1AA / 42G140ft High Cube1AAA / 45G1Status
External lengthDetermines the footprint and transport size.6.058 m6,058 mm12.192 m12,192 mm12.192 m12,192 mmISO 668
External widthIdentical across Series 1, regardless of length.2.438 m2,438 mm2.438 m2,438 mm2.438 m2,438 mmISO 668
External heightThe only thing 'High Cube' means: 305 mm more.2.591 m2,591 mm2.591 m2,591 mm2.896 m2,896 mmISO 668
Door opening widthCheck the clear door opening against the load and handling equipment; it can be smaller than the internal width.2.340 m2,340 mm2.340 m2,340 mm2.340 m2,340 mmtypical
Door opening heightConfirm the clear door height before loading; sufficient internal height alone does not establish that an item will pass through the doors.2.278 m2,278 mm2.278 m2,278 mm2.585 m2,585 mmtypical
Internal volumeGeometric volume, before stowage and securing.33.1 m³67.7 m³76.3 m³typical
Internal floor areaCalculated from the typical internal dimensions above.13.9 m²28.3 m²28.3 m²typical
ISO 668 — standard reference; tolerances and the actual unit specification applytypical — varies by manufacturer and ageto note

Interior dimensions, floor area, volume and openings are typical reference points. Request the specification sheet for the model offered, taking into account any modifications.

ProfileLength 6.058 m2.591 mFront, door end2.278 mDoor 2.340 m2.438 m
The shaded area is the door opening: it is what determines what fits, not the volume. It loses little in width — 2.340 m against 2.352 m inside — but more than ten centimetres in height, 2.278 m against 2.385 m. A load that fits within the volume but exceeds the lintel remains on the quay. Scale drawing, traced over the dimensions in the table below.

Door clearance must be checked with the item, its packaging and handling equipment. For heavy equipment or racking, ask for the allowable load and its distribution on the floor.

The budget to compare for the whole duration.

Request a total with the same dates, the same size and the same services. Ask for a distinction between included services and additional costs.

Container on your site

Hire charges + return transport + offloading and siting + options and end-of-hire services.

Describe the address, access and location. Ask about billing dates, extension rate and cleaning or reinstatement conditions.

Container in a depot

Hire charges + transport of your goods + optional services and insurance to be confirmed.

Confirm access, minimum billing period, notice period and any admin or exit fees. Also allow for journeys needed during the hire.

Manage the deposit separately: it is a cash advance if refundable, not necessarily a final cost. Check the return conditions.

For delivery, send a few photos.

Show the gate, bends, height obstacles and desired location. Have the vehicle access, handling, supports and door clearance validated by the relevant parties.

Furniture, boxes, equipment: specify what you are storing.

Describe goods sensitive to moisture, temperature or dust. The supplier will be able to specify the container features and suitable equipment.

Check the condition before loading

Ask for a clean interior, suitable floor and working doors. On handover, note the condition, seals and any signs of water ingress with the hire company.

Define storage conditions

A standard container does not guarantee controlled temperature or humidity. State your constraints so that insulation, ventilation and monitoring of the interior conditions can be specified.

Watertightness and condensation: two points to distinguish.A container that is rainproof can still have interior condensation.

Condensation depends mainly on the humidity present and temperature variations. Ask for details on the measures planned for your goods and their monitoring during storage. Ventilation, insulation and moisture absorbers address different situations; no single piece of equipment proves that sensitive goods will be kept in the right conditions.

Need cold storage? See refrigerated container hire

Locking, access and insurance: ask for clarification on protections.

Tailor the request to the value and nature of the stored goods.

Check that the contract covers your goods and the intended use. A 'secure' mention alone does not specify the insurance cover.

Fuels, chemicals and gas cylinders need a separate assessment

Do not treat an ordinary steel storage container as an approved chemical store. Before booking, disclose fuels, aerosols, gas cylinders or other hazardous goods and check the provider’s restrictions. Give the assessor the product safety data, quantities and proposed handling; a lock and ventilation grilles alone do not establish a safe arrangement.

At work, dangerous substances require assessment and suitable controls before the activity starts. Consider incompatible materials, leaks, ventilation, ignition sources, fire spread, emergency arrangements and access. Great Britain uses DSEAR 2002; Northern Ireland has separate DSEAR 2003 risk-assessment requirements. Health hazards need assessment as well as fire and explosion risks. The required store, separation and equipment depend on the substances and location; this guide does not assign a universal storage quantity or separation distance.

Container or self-storage unit? Compare the use.

A container located in a depot is itself a form of self-storage. To compare with a unit inside a building, look at the practical conditions of use.

Accessing your goods

Opening hours, parking, distance between vehicle and hired space, any floor level and handling equipment.

Storing in good conditions.

Useful dimensions, height, opening, moisture protection and conditions suitable for your goods.

Controlling the cost.

Rent over the planned period, transport of goods, services, insurance, notice period and entry or exit fees.

There is no volume or duration that makes one option systematically cheaper. Compare offers for the same contents and period.

The right space, in the right place.

On your site or at a depot: describe your needs to compare storage offers. Free and with no obligation.

Prepare a storage hire enquiry

Questions about storage hire

How much does storage container hire cost?
Request a quote for the storage location, size and dates. No verified UK storage hire price is published on this page. On-site delivery and depot storage involve different services: compare totals including applicable VAT, transport, access, insurance and end-of-hire charges.
What is the difference between on-site hire and depot hire?
On-site, the container is delivered to your land or business premises: you need to prepare the location and get costs for delivery, handling and collection. At a depot, the container remains at the storage centre: you bring your belongings there and use the access provided by the centre.
What size should you choose for storing the contents of a house?
Make an inventory, estimate the packed volume and measure the bulkiest items. Add the access needed to reach your belongings during the hire. The number of rooms in a house is not enough to choose a size; ask the supplier to confirm the possible storage layout and door clearance.
Can I hire for less than a month?
Check the minimum hire period and billing period with the supplier. In the form, enter one month and then give your actual dates in the enquiry.
Does a watertight container protect against all moisture?
No. Rain tightness and internal condensation are two different things. A standard container does not guarantee controlled humidity or temperature. Describe your belongings and ask the supplier to specify the storage conditions and equipment needed.
Can you access a depot container at any time?
It depends on the centre and its contract. Confirm opening hours, key or entry arrangements, vehicle access, loading conditions and any appointment requirements. Do not assume 24-hour access unless it is included in your agreement.

Shipping container hire

Compare hire terms, duration, delivery and collection for a container on your site.

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Transport and delivery

Compare delivery, offloading and installation conditions at your address.

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20ft container

Check the size, condition and internal dimensions.

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40ft container

Compare standard height and High Cube for storage.

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Refrigerated storage

Specify the temperature and installation conditions.

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UK container suppliers

Check documented supplier services before requesting a hire quotation.

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Guidance reviewed on . The directory prepares enquiries; the supplier confirms the price, availability and services in the quote.

Prepare a more useful quote request

Check these details before comparing equipment, delivery and services.