Can I Put A Shipping Container On My Property?

Is The Self Pack Removals System Right For Me?

The cheapest way to move interstate is undoubtedly by using a self pack removalist. In this system of moving house, a shipping container (with modifications for home removals) is delivered to your house where you load it with your household contents, it is then picked up again and transported to your new home by self pack interstate removalists.

A lot of people wonder if and where a shipping container can be put on their property and how long it can stay there. Today’s post aims to answer those questions.

When you confirm your order to move this way, where possible we will obtain both your origin and destination street addresses and view them on google maps. With street view imaging we are able to see your property ourselves which assists us in ascertaining if there is room to have a container delivered to your property on a tilt tray truck (the default and most common method of transportation). You can view a video here that shows how a tilt tray truck unloads a container from its tray to the ground.

HOW BIG IS A SHIPPING CONTAINER?

The dimensions of our removalist shipping containers are as follows:

20ft High Cube Container (the most common moving container we use):

Length: 6.05 metres
Width: 2.5 metres
Height: 2.9 metres

40ft Container (usually used for commercial moves)

Length: 11.9 metres
Width: 2.35 metres
Height: 2.7 metres

WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO PUT A SHIPPING CONTAINER AT MY HOUSE?

The container needs to be placed on ground that is flat or as close to it as possible. Slight differences in ground unevenness can be counteracted using small blocks of wood under the corners of the container to make it level.

How to level a shipping container - BSPC Removalists

If there is too much of a slope, it will not be suitable for a container.

Even if the ground is not uneven it can be a good idea to use the blocks of wood as a buffer between the ground and the container as scuffing can on the odd occasion sometimes occur when the container is placed down and picked up.

One of the most important factors that we’ll be looking for is that there is sufficient access for the truck to manoeuvre when loading and unloading the container. As a rule of thumb, we generally say the a tilt tray truck requires 20 metres (in a straight line) available to be able to back in and unload the container. Additionally you will need to clear any trees or shrubbery blocking the trucks access and there cannot be any low hanging power lines obstructing the trucks path either.

Ideally the container should be placed so the doors open towards your house for quick and easy access when loading.

CAN YOU LEAVE A SHIPPING CONTAINER OUTSIDE MY HOUSE ON THE ROAD?

In some instances, yes. If you do not have a suitable place to put the container on your property it can sometimes be put on a grass verge or in a parking bay outside your house. You do need to obtain permission from your local council to do this. They will assess if there are any issues having the container there and let you know how long it can stay there. To apply for a council permit you will require a copy of our public liability insurance certificate which we are happy to provide for this purpose. For contact details of your local council, click here.

Moving container permits - BSPC Removalists

HOW LONG CAN THE CONTAINER STAY AT MY HOUSE?

We include 40 days of container hire in most of our quotes which you can split between loading your container and unloading it at the other end of your move. Many people don’t require that much time and some people require more. If you need to go over the forty days we will charge an additional hireage fee which you will be informed of at the time of booking. If your container is placed on a public space with a council permit, the permit will specify how long it may remain there.

I DON’T HAVE ANYWHERE TO PUT A CONTAINER. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?

If you do not have space for a shipping container, in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide we can provide you with a loading/unloading bay at one of our storage depots. On occasion, we have managed to find a suitable loading/unloading location site outside of these locations - the best idea is to call and speak to one of our experienced interstate removalists about your needs.

For a free instant quote or to speak to one of our experienced removals team, call 1300 659 221 during business hours. Or check out our website, with loads of information on self pack removals, moving house and packing tips. You can also get an obligation free quote here.

Our containers come with blankets, trolleys, rope and boxes - click here for more information.