Shipping Container Vs. Self-Storage Unit: Which Option is the Best for Canadians?

If you’re a homeowner or business owner in need of temporary storage space, self-storage units are often a go-to solution. When a room must be cleared out for a renovation or your retail shop has outgrown its stockroom, the nearest self-storage facility seems like a safe bet. 

But even though self-storage units are well-known, they aren’t necessarily the most practical option, especially in Ontario or British Columbia. It’s just as easy to buy or rent a shipping container, and the results are often superior for a few key reasons.

Sea Cans Provide Convenient Storage

Self-storage units are located in storage lockers (storage spaces inside a building) or mini-storage facilities (where you can drive up and unload). While the unit itself might be easy to use, you need to travel back and forth between your home or business and the facility. If you’re moving large items like furniture, then you’ll need to rent a moving truck – an additional expense on top of the unit rental. In some cases, you might not be able to drive up to the unit, which means you will need a dolly, too.

For more convenience, consider shipping containers for rent. They’re stored on your property. So, when you need an item, you just need to walk outside and unlock your container.  There’s no need to transport items, and there’s no travel involved. It’s turnkey easy.

Shipping Containers are Better for Short-Term Rentals

Self-storage units in Ontario and British Columbia often require a minimum commitment or contract. Should your needs change, cancellation policies may be prohibitive or require additional fees. You might not have the flexibility that you need.

With shipping containers, also known as sea cans, you can pay month-to-month, and as your needs change, your rented storage container can change with them. If you need more or less time, you can easily change your terms. And, you can even switch to a different container size without issue. For short-term needs, rent a shipping container and ensure a hassle-free experience.

Sea Cans Keep Items Pest-Free

Shipping containers are completely sealed, and they’re guaranteed to keep out pests. With a self-storage unit, the sealing around the door isn’t always airtight, and it’s possible that rodents and bugs could sneak into your items. Not to mention, your belongings are stored alongside other units and you could be subject to the poor cleanliness habits of your storage facility neighbours.

Shipping Containers are More Secure

Self-storage facilities often tout CCTV and security personnel as the best ways to protect your belongings. But the units themselves don’t have entirely secure doors, and though CCTV and guards could possibly deter theft, there’s no guarantee that they’ll work. Especially in large facilities with hundreds of units.

Shipping containers, on the other hand, have state-of-the-art, reliable security. Every TargetBox container has a heavy-duty lock box system, which features a heavy shield over the lock box to protect against heavy bolt cutters. Not only will you have your items at an arm’s length, but they’ll also be safer.

Sea Cans are Portable

If you’re moving to the other side of town, the last thing you want is to travel back and forth to move your items from storage to your new house. Shipping containers are movable, and TargetBox handles the heavy lifting. After you’ve loaded the container, give us a call and we’ll move it to the next location for you. This is storage made easy.

Shipping Containers Can Be Permanent

Why rent when you can own? TargetBox has a wide selection of c cans for sale in British Columbia and Ontario. Used shipping containers currently for sale can be yours to own for as little as $2,100. New shipping containers for sale start at only $3,500.

So if you need a longer-term storage solution, it may be more economical to outright buy your ‘c can’.

Self-Storage the Sea Can Way

Self-storage units are one option for temporary storage, but they are rarely the best. Whether you’re in Ontario or British Columbia, rent or buy a shipping container and take full advantage of simple, portable storage – contact TargetBox right now.