Your Ultimate Guide to Buying Shipping Containers

For over 25 years, ModCon Cabins has specialised in the procurement, design and conversion of shipping containers for a range of sectors, and in today’s blog post, we’re presenting our ultimate guide on how to buy a shipping container. Today, containers are being repurposed into everything from workshops and sports changing rooms to retail units and modern homes.

Whatever you’re looking for, we’ll help you get the right type of container in the perfect size for your needs – and always to your budget. Planning to use your cabin long-term? Buying is far more cost-effective than renting, with no monthly fees eating into your budget. So, let’s take a closer look at how to buy shipping containers and how ModCon can help you find the ideal solution to your needs.

What Are You Using Your Shipping Container For?

The first decision you’ll need to make regarding buying a shipping container is the size you’ll need, and for this, you need to think about how you’ll be using your container. Containers come in standard sizes, including popular 10ft containers and 20ft containers. Different uses will benefit greatly from varying dimensions, layouts and features; a container home may need added headroom for insulation, while a pop-up shop will benefit from wide front access and visual impact.

The more ideas you have on the eventual function, the easier it is to choose the right size of container. Here are just some specific examples showing the variety of sizes and how they benefit certain use cases.

Buying a New Container, or Going for a Used One?

Once you’ve decided to buy a container and understand what you’ll be using it for, think about the condition of the container. They generally fall into three categories: new ‘one-trip’ containers, used ‘cargo-worthy’ containers, and used ‘wind-and-watertight’ containers.

One-trip containers are just that – used for just one cargo shipment and virtually unused, ideal when aesthetics are essential. Cargo-worthy containers have seen more ocean crossings but remain structurally sound. Wind-and-watertight (WWT) units are deemed no longer suitable for heavy cargo use but are perfect for conversion to other units on dry land, especially on a budget.

Our sister site ModCon Cabin Trader features containers for sale, and you can see shipping container prices against the different sizes and uses, whether new or used. Here at ModCon, we can convert any of these into your perfect cabin, with full refurbishment provided where necessary. It’s our speciality. Together, we’ve got all your cabin purchasing and converting needs covered.

What’s Your Budget to Purchase a New Shipping Container?

Budget will be a key factor behind the container you purchase and convert, and we’ve created a separate blog that answers the question ‘How much does a shipping container cost?’ Prices do fluctuate, but as a guide, a standard 20ft container will cost around £1,780 and a 40ft container around £2,997 – less for heavily used containers.

Remember to factor in extras like delivery, conversion work and any custom features. Our team has the buying power, contacts and industry knowledge to secure the best value possible when you’re ready to purchase a shipping container.

What To Consider When Shopping for a Shipping Container

In learning how to buy a shipping container, it may be useful to think about these points to ensure you’ve considered all the most important factors.

1. Usage First: Tell us how you’ll use it. This vital factor determines the specification, layout and the conversion features we’ll recommend.
2. Condition and Grading: We’ll help you choose the ideal container condition (one-trip, cargo-worthy or WWT) based on your budget and plans.
3. Access and Delivery: Can we deliver it? Our team can check access to your site to ensure smooth delivery and offloading of your finished container.
4. Custom Features: Need power, insulation, cladding or a full fit-out? We’ll take care of it all in-house. Buying with a clear idea makes the whole process faster, cheaper and smoother.

Get a Quote for a Shipping Container with ModCon

Here at ModCon, we have over a quarter of a century of experience in converting shipping containers across a wide variety of different uses and sectors. If you’re asking yourself, ‘Where can I buy a shipping container?’, we don’t just have the units for sale but the expertise to convert them to your ideal fit-out too.

Find out today what your perfect container conversion could cost by requesting a quote from our conversion experts. Just call us on 0333 404 8822, email info@modconcabins.co.uk or use our online contact form.

FAQs About Buying a Shipping Container

How much does a shipping container weigh?

It varies depending on the size. As a rough guide, an empty 20ft container weighs around 2,000kg, and an empty 40ft container can weigh close to 4,000kg. Obviously, a conversion fit-out will add more to this. We’ll cover more in our full guide on how much a shipping container weighs, including container weights by type.

Do I need planning permission for a shipping container?

When thinking about how to buy a shipping container, planning permission is a common query. In many cases, shipping containers that are used temporarily or away from public view don’t need permission, but it depends greatly on how and where you use them. Our full guide on planning permission for shipping containers will answer this question in much more detail.

Why choose ModCon for your shipping container? 

We don’t just sell shipping containers, we convert them into fully functional, ready-to-use spaces and deliver them directly to your site. From portable units to fully customised modular buildings, ModCon delivers end-to-end container solutions that are affordable, flexible and built to last.

What types of shipping containers can I buy?

Whether you need a compact 10ft retail unit or a large 40ft workshop, ModCon Cabins offers a wide range of container types for all kinds of use cases. Think retail shipping containers, container homes and modern offices, across sectors including construction, education, healthcare and more.

All our cabins are available with the modern conveniences (it’s in our name) you need, including power, lighting, heating and secure finishes. When you buy a container from us, we look after every stage of the process, from initial sourcing to final delivery.