Shipping Containers for Moving House

Whether you’re moving locally or out of state, shipping containers are an excellent option for moving. They're made of COR-TEN steel and were originally designed to transport cargo across the sea which means they're extremely durable and capable of carrying large amounts of household goods. Their wind and watertight design keeps your items safe from the elements before, during, and after your move, and their windowless design maximizes security and privacy. Shipping containers can be transformed into storage units that can be stationed conveniently on your property, allowing you to continue using them even after you've moved into your new home.

If you’re using a container to move from one home to another, any condition will do. However, you will need to choose the right container size based on your moving needs and budget. The most readily available sizes are 20-foot shipping containers, which have an internal volume of 1,172ft³, and 40-foot shipping containers, which have an internal volume of 2,385ft³. Both of these will serve their purpose well and get your furniture and belongings safely and efficiently from one property to another.

For a more detailed breakdown of container sizes and conditions, check out this helpful guide to choosing the right shipping container.

You can buy shipping containers directly through Boxhub's website or by speaking to a member of our team via phone, email, or live chat. To buy a shipping container online:

Step 1

Visit our online store and enter your delivery zip code.

Step 2

Pick the size and grade of container you'd like to purchase

Step 3

Review your shopping cart and choose your preferred payment method.

Step 4

Validate and complete your purchase.

Questions? Reach out to us on 888-771-1216 at any time.

A 20ft container’s internal volume is 1,172 ft³. That’s the equivalent of 200 standard mattresses, two compact cars, or 9,600 wine bottles. A 40ft container, on the other hand, has an internal volume of 2,385 ft³. That’s the equivalent of 400 standard mattresses, four compact cars, or 19,200 wine bottles.

They can both be used to store and transport a variety of household items, such as furniture, gardening equipment, electronics, appliances, and even cars, as-is.

You need to make sure that your drop-off site is safe and accessible for the delivery driver.

They will need enough space to maneuver the truck and offload your shipping container. They will also need a smooth, solid road — surfaces like sand, mud, snow, and loose dirt won't work for a delivery.

When choosing where you want your shipping container placed, keep in mind that shipping containers used for storage should rest on level, stable surfaces. This prevents the doors from warping and becoming difficult to close. A cement or asphalt foundation is best, as it will provide a firm, level surface for the container and will stop water from pooling around the bottom.

You can also protect your shipping container from groundwater by raising it on level wooden blocks or iron plates.

For a more detailed breakdown of what to expect for your shipping container delivery, check out this guide. If you notice something unexpected with the container, call us at 888-771-1216.

To prepare your shipping container for moving house, you can use a pressure washer to clean the container inside and out. Once you've moved your belongings to your new home, you can customize the container to fit your long-term storage needs. For instance, you could add insulation, windows, doors, or security cameras.

Standard 20ft and 40ft shipping containers are 8 feet, 6 inches tall. High-cube shipping containers on the other hand are a foot taller than standard shipping containers, measuring 9 feet, 6 inches tall.

The price of shipping containers varies based on their size, condition, and where they're located. For example, a 20-ft container will typically be cheaper than a 40-ft container. A new “one-trip” container — which has only made one trip across the ocean — will be more expensive than a used “wind and watertight container”, which has been retired from shipping after 12-15 years.

To get an estimate of how much your ideal shipping container will cost, request a quote from our team.

Shipping containers are great for storing furniture because they’re self-enclosed. This guarantees privacy from prying eyes since no one can see what’s in the container. Even after you’ve fully moved in, the container remains on the property for additional storage.