Frequently Asked Questions

General

Unlike many Container companies, we give  customers the option to rent or buy their 10’ shipping containers. We also have the option for a customer to start out as a rental and switch to a container purchase later on (not to be confused with a Rent-to-Own program). We want you to be able to choose the option that’s best for you.

Yes! We are locally owned and operated so you can visit one of our locations to choose your 10’ shipping container. If you’d rather not come in person, give us a call. We can send you photos or a video of what we currently have in stock. We want this process to be as straightforward and easy as possible.

We have locations for delivery in:

  • Arizona: Phoenix, Goodyear, Buckeye, Maricopa County
  • Idaho: Hayden and Coeur d’Alene
  • Oregon: Salem, Portland, and Eugene
  • Washington: Bellingham, Burlington, Ellensburg, Lynden, Marysville, North Seattle, Spokane and Yakima

If you need a different size shipping container, we also have other container sizes available, such as:

 

* We can also help you modify your Box into a portable office, container workshop, or container house. At Simple Box, you always have options!

Even though 10’ shipping containers are small, the cost to ship them overseas has not been subsidized by having freight inside them. This means a new 8×10 or 7×9 container usually costs the same, if not a bit more, than a new 20-foot container. However, if you need a secure space for a good price, and you don’t have room for a larger unit, a 10-foot container is a perfect solution. 10ft container pricing ranges from $2700-3900.

Your friends at Simple Box know just how hard you work for your money. We want you to get the best value possible when you order a container from us. Here are a few ways to save money on your next 10’ shipping container:

  • Consider purchasing a Modified 10’ Cut-down Container rather than a One-trip Container. Cut-down containers are 10’ containers that were created from 20’ containers, which offsets the cost. You can usually save a few hundred dollars by choosing a cut-down container over a one-trip container.
  • Another great way to save money is to purchase a used 10’ container from our rental fleet. These boxes are still in great condition, though they will have a bit more wear and tear than our one-trip containers. Purchasing one of our former rental boxes can save you $100-$200.
  • If you are looking to rent a container and want to save some money, we suggest you take advantage of Simple Box’s referral program. Here’s how it works:
    • When you refer a new customer to rent or buy a Container from Simple Box, you’ll both receive an additional one-time $20 credit on your next month’s bill.
    • At this time, there’s no limit to this offer – if you refer 5 or 6 new customers, you may even find your next month’s rental to be free of charge.
    • Just tell your friend to use the discount code 20GREATFRIENDS and your name when they place an order for a Container.

All about 20ft Shipping Containers

Yes! We are locally owned and operated so you can visit one of our locations to choose your 20’ shipping container. If you’d rather not come in person, give us a call. We can send you photos or a video of what we currently have in stock. We want this process to be as straightforward and easy as possible.

Simple Box 20’ Shipping Containers generally have cargo doors at one end. We also stock double-door containers that have cargo doors at both ends.

Unlike most of our competitors, our customers have the option to rent, rent-to-own, or buy their 20’ shipping containers. We want you to be able to choose the option that’s best for you.

If you need a different size shipping container, we also have other container sizes available, such as:

* We can also help you modify any Shipping Container to create a portable office or workshop. A container is really just a Simple Box, but the options are endless!

No matter what type of shipping container you order, our delivery process is practically the same. For delivering 20’ containers, our driver will need 60 feet of space in a straight line to back the truck into place and a fairly level surface to place the container.

We have locations serving:

  • Arizona: Phoenix and surrounding areas
  • Idaho: Hayden / CDA and north Idaho
  • Oregon: from Portland to Eugene and the coast
  • Washington: Bellingham, Skagit County, the Yakima Valley, Seattle, and the Peninsula

New 20ft container pricing ranges from $3100-$4300 while used 20’ containers typically cost between $2200-$3400.

Delivery

No matter what type of shipping container you order, our delivery process is the same. Our highly-skilled delivery drivers need 60 feet of space to maneuver and a fairly level surface to place the container.

We’d love at least 3 days notice for delivery or pickup of your Box. All Delivery appointments are based on availability in the schedule, so it is best to call with as much notice as possible to ensure your desired dates are available. We always need a window of two days or day-slots to work with. Appointments made under two business days are considered expedited and may be subject to a $50 expedited fee.

You don’t need to be there for the delivery or pick-up as long as the delivery area is clear and we have a good idea of where you’d like the Box to be placed (some people leave a cone, lawn-chair, or brightly painted rock where they would like the doors to be placed). Your Dispatcher will give you a call or text the afternoon before your delivery is scheduled and your Driver will call or text when they are on their way to your place.

To ensure a safe delivery, please make sure the ground is firm, there are no low-hanging wires, and you have enough space for the truck to pull forward from the back of the box. For a 20’ box, we need 60 feet of space for the truck to pull forward. For a 40’ box, we need 120 feet. You can watch a video of a container delivery here.

The driver will do everything they can to place your Box where you would like it. In the event a driver determines that it would be unsafe, unwise, or impossible to deliver to that location, they will choose the next most sensible place to deliver the Box. Any delivery that would require a driver to leave an improved surface (pavement, asphalt, concrete, etc.) for an unstable surface (gravel, grass, etc.) the customer will be liable for any additional standby fees, towing fees, or repair fees associated with delivery to unsuitable site conditions. Please review our Hold Harmless Agreement for further details.

The only thing you need to worry about is that the surface is fairly level and firm.
If the delivery area is on grass, mud, or a steeper slope, we recommend getting some gravel or several 12-inch 4×6 treated lumber blocks to help get the Box level and get some air-flow underneath the Box. We do not recommend railroad ties as they are often uneven and we’ve seen a lot of people injure themselves trying to drag them around. Containers are made to carry all of the weight at the corners, so all you really need is a treated block under the corner (the drivers carry some dunnage on the trucks).

Our preference is to always deliver a Simple Box onto private property when possible. Occasionally, at the request of a customer, we will deliver a Simple Box along a City street or lane for a very short period of time. Whenever it may be necessary to deliver a Simple Box in a public area or street, it is the responsibility of the Renter to obtain a permit from the applicable City or Government.

Security and Insurance

Boxes rent month-to-month and there is no long-term contract, so you can keep it for as long or little as you’d like. If you fall in love with your box, we can even give you an option to purchase it (be sure to ask about this prior to choosing your container).

Yes! It’s one of the things we do best… call or email for pricing to move a loaded Box to your new location. Keep in mind that our trucks and forklifts do have weight limits, so in order to avoid an overweight fee, make sure to pack no more than 9,000 pounds in the Box (the average weight of contents from a 3 bedroom home is 6,500 pounds) and distribute the weight evenly.

Do not store hazardous, explosive, or flammable materials in the Box (such as propane tanks or gas jugs). Gasoline should also be drained from any equipment placed in the container.

You are responsible for insuring your own belongings. You may want to check with your Homeowners or Renters insurance provider.

Our rental Boxes come with a steel lock-box welded or bolted onto the outside of the cargo doors. The lock-box conceals your padlock and protects it from tampering. You provide your own padlock and keep the key (we sell a Master Lock 6850 that fits perfectly). If you’re buying a container, we can install a lock-box for you.

Our containers are constructed of 14 gauge steel with 1-1/8” marine grade hardwood flooring, and a water-tight gasket around the doors. As long as you make sure to close the door and only store dry things inside the container, your contents will be safe from wind, rain, and rodents.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A SPECIFIC TYPE OF CONTAINER TO RENT OR BUY, CONTACT US AT ANY ON OF OUR CONTAINER LOCATIONS OR REQUEST A FREE QUOTE.