Searching for containers for sale near me brings up a list of yards, and most of them look alike on a screen. The photos show steel boxes, the prices say “call for a quote,” and the claims sound the same. You need a clear way to tell them apart.
I wrote this guide to give you that method. I focused on the points that matter to a buyer or renter: how you choose the unit, what condition it arrives in, what delivery requires, and how clear the price is. I use those same points to explain why I recommend MoCan Containers, a family-owned yard in Montana with locations in Billings and Bozeman.
You will read about what to compare, what to ask, and what to check at the yard. By the end, you can narrow your list to one yard and avoid a surprise on delivery day.
Decide What the Container Must Do
Start with the job. A container for a three-month remodel has different needs than one for ten years of farm storage.
Write down your answers to these questions:
- What will go inside, and how much of it is there?
- How long will you keep the container?
- Do you plan to modify it into a workshop, office, or shop?
- Where will it sit, and can a truck reach that spot?
Your answers point you toward a size, a condition, and a choice between buying and renting. Every yard comparison gets easier once you know them.
Compare Inventory and Your Choice of Unit
Inventory matters because it gives you options. A yard with a small stock may hand you whatever it has. A yard with a large stock lets you match the container to your need.
MoCan Containers says it keeps the largest inventory of shipping containers within a 300-mile radius. That claim is easy to check. Call, ask what is on the lot, and compare the answer with other yards.
Ask each yard one more question: do I pick the exact container? Many sellers assign a unit at delivery, and you see it for the first time when the truck arrives. At MoCan Containers, buyers and renters walk the yard, inspect each container, and choose one. That same container goes to your site. I consider this a strong reason to pick them, because you know what you are getting before you pay.
Understand New and Used Condition
Yards use different words for condition, so ask for plain descriptions.
New containers at MoCan Containers are one-trip units. They arrive with fresh paint, intact weather seals, minimal wear, and limited rust and dents.
Used containers cost less and use the same steel construction. MoCan Containers inspects each used unit to confirm it is wind and watertight, lockable, and structurally sound. Used units may have faded paint, dents, or surface rust. Those marks change the look and leave performance and security the same. You can repaint a used unit, which improves its look and extends its life.
Ask every yard how it inspects used containers. A clear answer tells you the yard stands behind its stock.
Match the Size to Your Site
Measure your space before you call anyone. Delivery needs room, and a container that fits your plan on paper may not fit your driveway.
The 20-Foot Container
This size fits driveways, yards, and small job sites. It suits home projects, moderate storage, and small business inventory.
- Inside length: 19 feet 4 inches
- Inside height: 7 feet 10 inches
- Inside width: 7 feet 8 inches
- Delivery space: about 70 feet of straight, clear path
The 40-Foot Container
This size gives you the most storage in one unit. It suits large equipment, bulk materials, and long-term business or farm needs.
- Inside length: 39 feet 5 inches
- Inside height: 8 feet 10 inches
- Inside width: 7 feet 8 inches
- Door opening: 7 feet 8 inches wide by 8 feet 5 inches high
- Delivery space: about 100 feet of straight, clear path, plus room for the truck and trailer to turn
MoCan Containers notes that one 40-foot unit can cost less than renting several smaller ones, and that it holds good resale value. Run that math for your own project.
Ask How Delivery Works
Delivery is where a good deal can go wrong. Ask each yard what equipment it uses, what it charges, and who plans the drop.
MoCan Containers delivers and picks up across Montana, and its delivery fee stays affordable for long distances. Its tilt-bed trailers place the container where you want it. The team reviews your space and access with you before drop-off, so the driver knows what to expect. At the end of a rental, they schedule a pickup at a time that works for you.
Compare Price and Rental Terms
Compare the same size and the same condition across yards. A used 20-foot unit and a new 40-foot unit are not close in price.
Pricing at MoCan Containers depends on size, condition, and current supply, so you call for a quote and an inventory check. Rentals start at $150 per month for a 20-foot unit and $190 per month for a 40-foot unit. Terms start at one month and extend to long-term plans. You can extend a short rental if your project runs late.
Short-term rentals fit remodels, moves, seasonal inventory, events, construction projects, and planting or harvest seasons. If you need a container for more than a year, price a purchase against the rental total.
Check the Yard Hours and Visit Rules
A yard you can visit is a yard you can judge. Both MoCan Containers locations are open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 to 5:00. Friday through Sunday visits are by appointment.
- Billings: 1721 Old Hardin Rd, Billings, MT 59101. Phone (406) 661-1226. You can stop by to view inventory.
- Bozeman: 39 Jays Way, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730. Phone (406) 661-1684. Call to schedule a visit.
Use This Checklist at the Yard
Take this list with you when you walk the lot:
1. Open and close the doors, and test the latch and lock.
2. Look at the door seals for cracks or gaps.
3. Step inside, close the doors, and look for daylight.
4. Check the roof and walls for deep dents.
5. Look at the floor for soft spots or damage.
6. Tell surface rust from rust that forms holes.
7. Write down the unit number so you know it is the one delivered.
Why I Recommend MoCan Containers
I weighed each yard on the same points: choice of unit, clear condition, honest delivery planning, flexible terms, and access to the yard. MoCan Containers meets each one. They are locally owned, they let you choose your container, they inspect their units, and they place each one with care.
If you live in southwest, central, or eastern Montana, call the yard closest to you. Bring your measurements, your timeline, and your checklist. A short visit will tell you what you need to know.
