When you are looking to secure extra storage, set up a temporary site office, or build a bespoke container conversion, one question always comes first: How much is this going to cost?
Because shipping container prices fluctuate based on global steel markets, supply chains, and specific site requirements, there isn’t a single ‘one-size-fits-all’ price tag. However, calculating your total cost comes down to three main variables: size, condition, and delivery location.
At 1st Containers, we believe in full transparency so you can make the smartest decision for your budget. Here is a breakdown of what influences the price of a container and how you can get the best possible value.
1. Container Size: What Space Do You Need?
Size is the most direct pricing factor. The vast majority of standard shipping containers come in three primary lengths:
- 6,8,10ft Containers: Popular for tight spaces, garden storage, or urban sites. Normally small containers carry additional costs because they are cut down from 20fts so the additional modification labour is factored in. But at 1st Containers we have genuine 6ft,8ft & 10ft One-Trips regularly landing in the UK. These are available in Green & Blue.
- 20ft Containers: The industry benchmark. Offering roughly 1,360 cubic feet of space (enough to fit the contents of a typical three-bedroom home), 20-footers strike the ideal balance between internal volume, floor footprint, and overall price. As standard sizes these offer the most value as supply in the UK is generally good and they are used to ship goods into the UK.
- 40ft & 40ft High Cube Containers: The go-to for maximum storage volume, large commercial projects, or home conversions. A 40ft container gives you double the space of a 20ft unit, usually for significantly less than twice the cost. High Cube (HC) variants add an extra foot of vertical headroom (9ft 6in total height), making them a favourite for home/office conversions.
2. Container Condition: New vs. Used
Condition is often where you’ll see the biggest price variance.
- New (‘One-Trip‘) Containers: Manufactured overseas and shipped to the UK carrying a single load of cargo. They are in near-mint condition, free of major dents or rust, and equipped with factory paint and modern lock boxes. They command a higher price tag but offer maximum lifespan, clean aesthetics, and long-term resale value.
- Used Containers: Units that have spent 10 to 15 years in international shipping lines. While they show cosmetic wear, such as surface rust, scratches, and minor dents, they are fully inspected, structural, and guaranteed wind and watertight. Used containers offer the most cost-effective option for pure, secure storage where pristine appearance isn’t a priority.
3. Delivery Location & Logistics
The price of the box itself is only part of the equation, getting it to your site is the rest.
Containers are delivered using specialised HIAB crane vehicles that transport and offload the container directly onto your ground. Transport is calculated on mileage: the closer your site is to a supply depot, the cheaper the delivery will be.
Because delivery trucks require specialised fuel, equipment, and driver time, long-distance haulage adds up. Bringing a unit from a depot 10 miles away will always cost substantially less than transporting one 150 miles across the country.
Smart Ways to Save Money with 1st Containers
If you want to keep costs as low as possible, two simple strategies can save you a significant amount:
1. Order in Pairs to Share Transport Costs
Delivery trucks (especially articulated HIAB vehicles) can often transport two 20ft containers at the same time. If you order two 20ft units together rather than placing two separate orders, you share the transport trip, effectively cutting your delivery cost per unit significantly.
2. Collect It Yourself from Our 20+ Depots
If you have your own suitable transport or haulage contractor, you don’t have to pay for our delivery services at all. Self-collection is available across our nationwide network of over 20 strategic depots.
We will handle the site loading onto your flatbed vehicle at the depot free of hassle, allowing you to manage logistics on your own terms.
Ready for an exact quote?
Prices shift based on regional stock levels and market rates. Contact the 1st Containers team today with your location and size requirements, and we’ll give you a clear, competitive quote right away.