Shipping Container Questions: Answered

Container One's price includes delivery to your address in Texas.

Delivery timing depends on location, payment, weather, container availability and site access. Container One's Delivery/Dispatch department contacts you to schedule a date and time.

Container delivery requires the following clearances:

• 20ft container: 110 feet of straight, unobstructed clearance, at least 15 feet of height for driving clearance, 22 feet of height along the entire unloading path, and at least 10 feet of width
• 40ft container: 130 feet of straight, unobstructed clearance, at least 15 feet of height for driving clearance, 22 feet of height along the entire unloading path, and at least 10 feet of width

If you are unsure about your site, describe your access road and driveway when you request a quote.

Watch how container delivery works: Container Delivery Video

Container prices vary based on size, grade and your location in Texas. Pricing changes with market conditions and inventory availability. To get a current price, fill out our quote form or give us a call.

We sell containers outright and do not rent them, and we also work with financing partners who offer rent-to-own programs. These let you spread payments over time and own the container at the end. Compare purchase and rent-to-own costs in our rent vs buy guide. Ask about current options when you request your quote.

Houston has no traditional zoning. However, the city still requires building permits for permanent accessory structures. Temporary containers tied to active construction are generally allowed. The bigger consideration is deed restrictions. Many Houston neighborhoods (especially master-planned communities in Katy, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, and Pearland) have strict deed restrictions that may prohibit or limit containers. Always check your deed restrictions and HOA covenants before ordering. Read our full Texas permits guide.

In Dallas and Fort Worth, permit requirements depend on your zoning district and intended use. Both cities use traditional zoning codes. Temporary construction-related containers are generally allowed for a limited period. Long-term or permanent placement requires a permit. Dallas Development Services (214-948-4480) and Fort Worth Development Services (817-392-2222) can look up requirements for your specific address.

It depends on the county or municipality and on how you will use the container. Check the local zoning and building office before ordering. Even in places that do not require a permit for storage, a converted living or working space may have different requirements.

The steel handles it well structurally: containers are designed for ocean environments including tropical heat. The practical concerns are interior temperature and moisture. A bare steel container in Texas summer sun can reach 130 to 150 degrees inside. For occupied spaces, insulation and climate control are essential.

Humidity and condensation: On the Gulf Coast (Houston, Beaumont, Corpus Christi), humidity is a real concern. Warm, moist air condenses on cool steel surfaces, especially when air conditioning is running. Proper insulation with a vapor barrier, such as closed-cell spray foam, prevents this. For storage-only containers, adding turbine vents on the roof promotes airflow and reduces trapped moisture.

Practical tips: Light-colored containers reflect more heat. A radiant barrier on the roof helps significantly. Position containers to minimize west-facing sun exposure when possible. Read our Texas insulation guide.

Houston and much of Central Texas sit on expansive clay soil that swells when wet and shrinks when dry. Without proper ground preparation, a container can settle unevenly. We strongly recommend placing your container on a compacted gravel pad (4 to 6 inches of crushed limestone or road base works well) or on railroad ties. For permanent structures or container homes, use pier and beam foundations drilled to stable soil below the active clay zone.

Yes, if your property is in a hurricane-prone coastal area. An unanchored container can shift or tumble in hurricane-force winds. Anchor options include tie-down straps with ground anchors, anchor bolts into a concrete pad, or welded brackets. Containers are wind-resistant because of their steel construction, but they need to be secured to their foundation.

Container One arranges delivery to ranch properties, farms, and rural addresses where the truck has the access and clearance it needs. Delivery conditions range from East Texas piney woods and West Texas ranch land to Hill Country properties, Panhandle agricultural operations, and Rio Grande Valley farms. If the access road is unpaved, describe the road conditions when you request a quote.

WWT stands for Wind and Water Tight. It means the container is structurally sound and guaranteed not to leak: the doors seal properly and there are no holes or significant gaps. A WWT container can no longer be certified to ship cargo. You can expect surface rust, paint wear, and minor cosmetic dents (that is normal for a container that has been in commercial shipping service). Container One provides the warranty. Written warranty terms.

A one-trip container has made exactly one ocean crossing carrying cargo and is essentially like new. Floors are clean, paint is mostly intact, and everything looks nearly brand new. One-trip units cost more but are worth considering if you are doing a conversion project, want the cleanest possible interior, or simply want the best-looking container on your property.

We offer 20ft standard, 40ft standard, and 40ft high cube containers. We also offer modified containers and refrigerated reefer units in both 20ft and 40ft sizes.

Size	Interior (L x W x H)	Capacity	Empty Weight
20ft Standard	19'4" x 7'9" x 7'10"	1,170 cu ft	~5,070 lbs
40ft Standard	39'5" x 7'9" x 7'10"	2,350 cu ft	~8,380 lbs
40ft High Cube	39'5" x 7'9" x 8'10"	2,694 cu ft	~8,775 lbs

We can source containers with man doors, roll-up garage doors, windows, vents, electrical wiring and panel, LED lighting, insulation, spray foam, HVAC / climate control, shelving, and more. Insulation is especially important in Texas due to extreme summer heat. Spray foam blocks heat and prevents condensation in humid areas.

Reefer containers have an integrated refrigeration unit built into one end. They plug into a 480V 3-phase electrical supply. For properties without 3-phase power, they can be run from a compatible generator. Reefer containers are used by restaurants, caterers, produce farms, food distributors, barbecue operations, and event companies.

For temporary storage, level compacted ground or gravel works fine. For permanent placement in Texas:

• Compacted gravel pad (strongly recommended due to clay soil: good drainage, prevents settling)
• Railroad ties or treated timber (budget-friendly, keeps container off ground)
• Concrete blocks at the four corners (solid, affordable)
• Poured concrete slab (for conversions and permanent structures)
• Pier and beam (for container homes on expansive clay)

Due to Texas's expansive clay soil in many areas, we strongly recommend at minimum a compacted gravel pad even for temporary placement.

Yes. At minimum, make sure the placement area is level and firm. Clear any debris, rocks, or vegetation. The delivery truck needs 110 feet of straight, unobstructed space for a 20ft and 130 feet for a 40ft, plus at least 15 feet of height for driving, 22 feet of height along the unloading path, and 10 feet of width. Describe the site in your quote request.

Shipping containers are made from 14-gauge Corten steel, which is difficult to cut through. The weakest point is the lock. Use a hidden shackle lock (hockey puck lock) with a lockbox welded to the door.

Red flags: prices too good to be true, wire transfer or crypto only payment, no verifiable business identity or contact route, pressure to buy immediately.

Yes. Financing is offered through third-party partners, including rent-to-own and traditional financing for container purchases. You do not need to pay the full amount upfront. Ask about current options when you request your quote.

Uses include:

• On-site storage for contractors and construction crews
• Farm and ranch equipment storage
• Extra garage or workshop space
• Job-site offices
• Hunting camps and private-land storage
• Restaurant walk-in coolers (reefer units)
• Home renovation temporary storage
• Hurricane preparedness storage on the Gulf Coast
• Oil field equipment storage in West Texas
• Full container home conversions

A standard 20ft container gives you about 1,170 cubic feet of lockable, weatherproof space. See our modified containers page for conversion options.