Delivery & site prep
Most delivery problems come down to site access. A little planning saves a second trip and a second fee.
Most single containers arrive on a tilt-bed or a flatbed. Your supplier will tell you which truck they're sending and how much room it needs.
Truck types
Tilt-bed (roll-off)
The bed tilts and the container slides off. No crane or forklift needed. This is how most single containers arrive.
Flatbed
The container rides flat and has to be lifted off with a forklift or crane. Useful when a tilt-bed can't fit.
Truck with a crane
Some suppliers have trucks that can lift the box over a fence or into a tight spot. Expect to pay more.
Site prep checklist
- Pick firm, level, dry ground.
- Put gravel, concrete pads or railroad ties under the corners to keep the box level and off the dirt.
- Clear the path: no low wires, branches, or sharp turns.
- Measure the straight run the truck needs and share it with the supplier.
- Decide which way the doors should face, and leave room to swing them fully open.
- Check permits or HOA approval before the truck arrives.
On delivery day
Be there, or have someone there who knows where it goes. Mark the corners with stakes or paint. Look the container over before the driver leaves, and take photos of any damage you notice.
Ready for real prices?
Send one short request and let suppliers who deliver to your ZIP come back with quotes. It's free, and you're under no obligation.
Delivery questions
How much room do I need for delivery?
It depends on the container length and the truck. A tilt-bed needs a long, straight run, often roughly twice the container's length or more, plus overhead clearance. Ask your supplier for their exact requirement.
Do I need a foundation?
Not usually. Firm, level ground with gravel, pads or ties under the corners is enough for most storage use.
Can the driver place it exactly where I want?
Drivers can usually set it where the truck can reach. Mark the spot and which way the doors should face.