Self store Shipping Container Site
Discussion
Happy New Year (nearly) to all.
My Father in law a retired farmer has a nice concrete yard that would suit itself as a self store container site.
The farmyard is now only used for access to the barns that he rents out already on an informal rental basis.
Access to a main road is good and there is plenty of turning room and good security
I wonder what the planning regs are for this since the containers are not a fixed structure.
We would be looking to start with 10 -20 containers
Any pointers would be greatly appreciated
Many Thanks
My Father in law a retired farmer has a nice concrete yard that would suit itself as a self store container site.
The farmyard is now only used for access to the barns that he rents out already on an informal rental basis.
Access to a main road is good and there is plenty of turning room and good security
I wonder what the planning regs are for this since the containers are not a fixed structure.
We would be looking to start with 10 -20 containers
Any pointers would be greatly appreciated
Many Thanks
More an observation than advice. We already have a couple of shipping containers (also on a farm) and they're bloody useless as decent storage as they suffer terribly with condensation. This severely limits what we can store in them.
To be fair I don't know whether it's down to the location or maybe we've just got crap containers, but might be worth some investigation?
To be fair I don't know whether it's down to the location or maybe we've just got crap containers, but might be worth some investigation?
Redarress said:
I wonder what the planning regs are for this since the containers are not a fixed structure.
Planning controls use of land, not just structures.We've dealt with a few of these, over the years; usually it helps if you can demonstrate that they are a 'diversification' supporting a primary farm/agricultural business, but don't expect the application to be popular or striaghtforward (which means that it's a good idea to tool yourself up with a Planning Consultant who knows what they are doing).
hidetheelephants said:
As observed steel containers are condensation traps unless well sealed and dehumidified; fridge containers suffer far less due to being well insulated and generally better sealed.
I have 70+ (added more recently) and not one has condensation in it. All are new when they go in and are replaced every 4 to 5 years depending on use and wear and tear, all are raised slightly up off the hard standing. We've been running 20+ years now.We have our own crane lorry and sell the ex-self stores ones and replace with new.
As a rule, what you put in is what you get out, put outdoor wooden furniture in from the garden and it will dry out and sweat the container, put any damp stuff in and it will cause condensation.
I'm a great advocate of opening the doors on nice days and letting them air out but you have to make sure you don't do that on days that are really cold and then do it again on warmer humid days.
No storage solution is 100% but you can mitigate with sensible use. Modern shipping containers have trickle vents in at roof level that allow a small airflow. this helps a lot. We found the older galvanised steel 20fts were prone to condensation more than the new Corten Steel ones. old Aluminium 40ft containers are the worst of the lot for wetness.
Edited by Getragdogleg on Sunday 31st December 21:02
I rent one of these containers to store my business equipment and it’s had the roof spray foam insulated, 2 small trickle vents and I’ve never seen a drop of condensation in there over the past 4 years. If it’s been raining some of our stuff goes in damp. Doesn’t seem to cause any issues
fasimew said:
Interesting. What are the ins and outs of starting a shipping container storage business? How do you manage the site and access? Can you run it as a side business or does it need hands on management?
Hands on is best, I meet every prospective customer in person prior to letting to them, I like to gauge if I'm about to let to a problem customer who wont pay and will faff around.I bill for whole months only, no weeks or days, you buy a month at a time, pay up front for the future month. if you don't want to rent anymore then simply let me know a week before your month is up and I wont invoice you again so long as you are out. I provide the locks and gate keys. I have good quality locks and make it clear that I can access the units at any time (but generally don't) and that if they lose keys I can let them in but there will be a replacement key fee.
We are always full with a waiting list.
I prefer small business customers, a painter and decorator or carpenter, we have a couple let to charities for furniture storage and a lovely couple who rent out posh camping gear in the summer, these customers are reliable all year round and on a DD.
sugerbear said:
How are they ventilated ? Are they all connected and air conditioned ? Or just air allowed to flow through them?
Raised up a little off the hard standing and just ventilated using the trickle vents and any airflow that occurs naturally.We have a small gap between each unit to allow airflow.
Getragdogleg said:
sugerbear said:
How are they ventilated ? Are they all connected and air conditioned ? Or just air allowed to flow through them?
Raised up a little off the hard standing and just ventilated using the trickle vents and any airflow that occurs naturally.We have a small gap between each unit to allow airflow.
I was actually looking into doing this here in Ireland. Our land laws may be different. My mother rents one and it does accumulate moisture on the roof. How do people go about the land or space to start ? We don't have land and are not farmers so we'd have to either rent or buy a plot. What amount would one start with , we've seen single use 20 and 40ft under 3k in euros a piece. Start with maybe 20 containers Then some land. Hands on yes but looking at almost self sufficient in the future
Jaybmw said:
I was actually looking into doing this here in Ireland. Our land laws may be different. My mother rents one and it does accumulate moisture on the roof. How do people go about the land or space to start ? We don't have land and are not farmers so we'd have to either rent or buy a plot. What amount would one start with , we've seen single use 20 and 40ft under 3k in euros a piece. Start with maybe 20 containers Then some land. Hands on yes but looking at almost self sufficient in the future
Land is the bigger issue than getting the containers. Hence why so many people with farmland do it. Any decent bit of land for sale the owner will likely have planning permission for a house making it alot more expensive to consider.Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff