Questions people ask

Container Koala is a container broker. We do not own a depot or trucks. When you ask for a price, we line up a vetted container depot near you that has the size and grade you want, arrange the tilt-bed delivery, and give you one delivered price. You deal with us from quote to drop-off.

As a rough guide, a used 20ft container delivered locally typically runs about $2,600 to $4,500, a new one-trip 20ft about $3,900 to $6,000, and 40ft containers about $3,000 to $8,000 depending on grade and height. These are estimates. Your price depends on your ZIP code, the distance from the depot and what is in stock, and comes with your quote.

Yes. Your quote is the container plus standard tilt-bed delivery to your address. If anything could add cost, like a long distance from the nearest depot, a difficult site or a modification, we tell you before you agree, not after.

Sometimes. Many depots can send photos of the actual unit, and some will let you visit. Others sell by grade only and pick the box at loading time. We tell you which applies and ask for photos whenever the depot offers them.

Not right now. We only sell containers. If you need one for a short job, ask anyway and we will tell you honestly whether buying makes sense.

We confirm the exact container, price and delivery window with you first. Payment details are handled directly with you at that point, never through a form on this website.

New (one-trip) containers were shipped once and look close to new. Cargo-worthy containers are used but were judged structurally fit to carry cargo when inspected. Wind-and-watertight containers are retired from shipping, cosmetically worn, but sealed against wind and rain when inspected. All three keep your things dry; they differ in looks, structure and price.

A high cube is one foot taller than a standard container: 9 ft 6 in on the outside instead of 8 ft 6 in. You get roughly 13 percent more space and a taller door opening.

Roughly 19 ft 4 in long, 7 ft 8 in wide and 7 ft 10 in high inside, with a door opening about 7 ft 8 in wide and 7 ft 5 in high. Exact figures vary slightly by manufacturer.

Sometimes. 10ft containers are not a standard shipping size, so supply depends on the depots near you. Pick 10ft in the quote form and we will check what is actually available.

Wind-and-watertight and cargo-worthy containers were watertight when inspected. Steel can still develop leaks over time, mostly at the roof or door seals, and condensation can form inside in humid weather. Keeping it level, on a pad, and adding vents helps a lot.

On a tilt-bed truck. The bed tilts up, the container slides off the back onto the ground, and the truck drives forward out from under it. It is placed where the truck can reach in a straight line; the driver cannot lift it over fences or around corners.

For a 20ft container, plan on roughly 60 to 100 ft of straight, clear approach and about 12 ft of width. For a 40ft, roughly 100 to 150 ft. You also need overhead clearance with no low wires or branches, since the bed and container rise as the bed tilts. Firm, level ground matters: trucks get stuck in soft dirt and wet lawns.

Level, firm ground at minimum. A compacted gravel pad, railroad ties or concrete blocks under the corners are common and keep the floor out of standing water. A level container also keeps the doors opening and closing smoothly.

You choose. The container can be loaded so the doors face toward the truck cab or toward the back, which decides which way they face once it is on the ground. Tell us in the quote form.

Someone should be there to show the driver the spot and confirm placement. If that is not possible, mark the spot clearly and tell us in advance. The driver has the final say on what is safe.

It depends on depot stock and trucking schedules near you. Common sizes are often available within days to a couple of weeks. We give you a delivery window with your quote.