Container
Structure Questionnaire
Simple Portable
Container Home
Container Delivery & Modification FAQ’s
How do I get a quote on the cost to deliver my container? On Oahu, we will personally deliver it. With the neighbor Islands, one of the trucking companies we work with will work with you on the phone or come out to your property, free of charge, and let you know how much it will cost to get it there. The cost depends on your properties access, where you want the container positioned exactly and how far away you are. Our containers can be shipped to any Harbor that Young Bros services, and your delivery cost will always be based on the distance from that harbor to your property. Delivery is the least expensive for those that are only needing to roll-off their container. This is only possible if we can maneuver our truck where you need the container rolled-off, and only if we have the room to pull out and get out. This requires about 125’ minimum space. If you need your container against a wall or hedge, it may require us to bring a 10,000 lb capacity forklift that is transported on a low-boy trailer pulled by a semi truck, or occasionally a crane is required. Crane service costs can vary from provider to provider. We are happy to recommend crane operators to you. Both forklifting and crane services will definitely cost more than rolling off. No one delivers for free that we know of. A 40’ weighs 8500+ lbs, 20’s weigh about 5800+ lbs.
How should I prepare for delivery? Your area should be as level as possible. You never want to put a container onto the ground. It is highly advised to put containers on either concrete blocks, wood beams or wood fence posts. If you want us to roll-off and you want to move the container sideways or in a different position after we leave, it is best to roll-off onto wood fence posts which allow you to move your container with a nudge from a truck, or with come-alongs. These fence posts are about 10” thick, round in shape, and come in various lengths that average about 7’ long. You want to put one post on each corner, and two in the middle for a total of 6 fence posts. You can cut a 7’ fence post into 3 pieces with a chain saw. When you get your container where you want it, you want to jack up one corner at a time with a 3 or 4 ton floor jack, and replace the wood posts with 16x16x5” thick concrete “tofu” blocks available at home depot for about $10 each. Make sure the ground beneath the blocks is nicely compacted, and use gravel underneath each block. You want the tofu blocks on the 4 corners, and preferably two high if you can. We can furnish the blocks and do this work if you wish us to. The blocks are really heavy, approx 85 lbs each, and it is heavy work, so let us know if you need help. You can buy floor jacks at sears for around $100 for a 3 ton model, and about $150 for a 4 ton jack. Although a 3 ton jack will suffice, we highly recommend a 4 ton "low profile"jack because the 3 ton strains and is near its capacity. Do not go underneath a container that is being jacked up as it could crush you if the jack were to move or fail. We are available to provide any kind of modifications you might want, such as installing windows, doors, flooring, A/C, electricity, plumbing etc. We even construct legally permitted homes made from shipping containers. We are also available to give you advice on modifying your container if you are willing to do the work. We support our customers and answer the phone personally to maximize your success and minimize your frustrations. Big Island call 935-1000. All other islands call 808-953-2005.
Why is it I can buy a container from a private owner generally for less than what you guys charge me. What do you offer that is different? First of all, our containers are not sitting for years in the rain, or on the ground where moisture transmits from ground to steel, forming rust. Our yard is bone dry. Secondly, you do not need to pay for an expensive forklift to load your container onto a delivery truck, we load up at our yard with our huge forklift for no charge. Hiring someone to load a container from a private owners property will cost a fortune as it takes two trucks, two trailers and two drivers- one for the massive forklift and one to put the container onto. Then they deliver in the same way. We deliver with one truck and roll off gently at a very cheap price. Our containers are not sitting somewhere for years on end, they just delivered cargo and never sit around for years, maybe two months. Finally, we are expert at any modifications you might want- Doors, windows, flooring, electrical, insulation, A/C etc. We build offices and legal homes from shipping containers, and also install roll-up doors, lock boxes etc for your storage based needs as well.
I want to make my used container look nice. How do I deal with the surface rust, and can I do anything about the dents? You must read our article on dealing with surface rust, all you need to know is there, and our process and recommended products guarantee the very best job possible anywhere. As for dents, car body filler works great for that, aka bondo. If you know your way around with a torch, you can heat the metal around the dent and pound it out and shape it first to minimize the amount of body filler used. There are other ways to remove dents, but it is not our place to go into detail; do some research if interested.
What do you recommend using to cut out windows and doors? There are many ways, but the cleanest and easiest way is to use a reciprocating saw or sawzall with Bi-metal blades. You can also use a torch, a plasma cutting torch or a specialized metal cutting circular type saw. We are available to do these kind of modifications if desired, and are also available to help you over the phone if you want. Consultation is at the rate of $75 per hour and by appt. only, time permitting. Big Island call 935-1000. All other islands call 808-953-2005.