Buying a used container – how to do it right?

Regardless of what you need the container for, – as a warehouse, cold storage, office, or as a place to stay, one thing is certain – buying a used one is not a bad thing and can be a very good investment, as long as you pay attention to the most essential things.

In this article, we’ll give you some tips on buying a used shipping container that we follow ourselves. In most cases, a “several years old” can serve literally as well as a new one – and at a fraction of its price. What’s more, buying a second-hand one helps the environment, as used warehouses can be reused or recycled.

Is buying a used warehouse, office a good idea?

In most cases, yes. In fact, storage, office containers that have been “retired” are usually always in good usable condition. Therefore, below we will describe some specific things to pay attention to when buying them.

Step one – let’s not be afraid to ask

There are several important things to ask when buying a used container. It is certainly worth finding out something about the date of manufacture and the number of previous owners. If the shipping, refrigerated container we are interested in has a CSC plate, it should include the date of manufacture and maintenance schedule. Another useful piece of information for us may be what it was used for in the past, and whether it was once seriously damaged, and whether it has undergone modifications – this is not a bad thing, while it is worth knowing.

Step two – visual inspection from the outside

If we have such an opportunity to inspect a warehouse, cold storage or office before buying, – let’s boldly, calmly analyze its exterior – from it we can learn a lot about the technical condition and its history. Let’s pay attention to the condition of the corner posts that make up the frame, whether it is properly covered with paint, and whether it has significant chipping. We should also pay special attention to the walls – small dents are usually not a big problem, but large, conspicuous corrosion outbreaks can mean that the steel is in poor condition. Of course, we should also inspect the condition of the roof – mainly for dents, which can collect water and eventually turn into rust foci.

Step three – let’s go inside

If we have already thoroughly looked at the containers on the outside, it’s high time to check the condition of the inside. Let’s start with the doors. Let’s check that they close all the way without leaving any gaps, and that the locking mechanisms work properly. A good way to check if the “box” is airtight and has no holes is to simply lock yourself inside it (with the assistance of an outsider, of course!) during the day, and then see if you can’t see the “light in the tunnel”. Sunlight that enters a closed container through the area around the door, roof, or walls may indicate that it is leaking. At the very end – let’s open the door and let some light in – take a look around.

Let’s pay special attention to the floors. Let’s check for any leaks from previously stored goods.

Step four – let’s strike a deal

Buying a used container is much like buying a used car – each one is unique because of how it is handled, used and treated. The most important thing is to carefully inspect their condition when possible and pay attention to the details – from the roofing, to the exterior – to the floor.

And when it comes to purchasing – our team is happy to advise and assist. Among other things, we at SeaBox sell high-quality steel shipping containers for various purposes. We have more than five years of experience in the container and transport industry and many satisfied customers – we invite you to familiarize yourself with our offer, as well as to contact us via the website, or by phone. We will answer all your questions.

Greetings!
SeaBox