Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Shipping Container in Georgia
Buying a shipping container is a big decision. The provider you pick has to be trustworthy, and the unit they sell has to hold up for years. Ask the right questions up front and you avoid most of the surprises.
This guide covers what to ask a Georgia shipping container provider, whether you are buying in Atlanta, Savannah or Augusta.
Questions About the Company and Its Track Record
How long have you been in business? This tells you how long the provider has served customers in your area. A longer run generally means more trust. It is not the only signal, though. Read reviews and testimonials for a clearer picture.
Can you provide references? Do not be shy about asking. Once you have the contact information, actually call those clients. Here is what to ask them:
- Did you get a new or used container, and what condition was it in on arrival?
- Did the company handle issues promptly?
- Did they walk through pricing and address budget concerns?
- Was the unit in the stated condition, or did you find damage?
- What modifications, if any, did your unit include?
- Was it delivered on time?
- Were you hit with unexpected charges later?
Then go further. Check social media, read reviews, and ask friends and family which container companies they have used. Our guide on how to avoid shipping container scams covers the red flags worth watching for.
Questions About Container Condition and Grade
How old are your containers? If you are buying used, this matters. Used units can be 20 years old or more, and condition varies widely. Age drives how most providers price their inventory.
What grade is this specific unit? Age alone does not tell you much. A well-kept 15-year-old container can beat a neglected 5-year-old one. We grade every unit from New and One Trip down through A, B, C and D. Our breakdown of shipping container condition levels explains what separates each tier. Cosmetics are graded separately on our appearance condition page.
Is it wind and water tight or cargo worthy? These are the two terms you will hear most. Wind and water tight means the unit keeps out rain, wind and pests. That is all you need for storage. Cargo worthy means it is still certified to carry freight overseas. If you are not shipping internationally, do not pay extra for it.
Can I see the actual container before I buy? Photos of a “representative unit” are not the same as photos of your unit. Ask to walk the yard or request photos and video of the exact container you are paying for. Look at the floor, the doors, the roof and the interior corners.
Who is responsible if the container is damaged during delivery? Get this in writing before the truck leaves. Ask what happens if the unit arrives with damage that was not disclosed.
Questions About Delivery Across Georgia
What are your delivery options? Most providers, Transocean included, run two: flat-bed and roll-back. A roll-back truck places the container for you, so it works when you have no unloading equipment on site. A flat-bed is cheaper, but you unload it yourself with a forklift, crane or boom truck.
How much clearance do you need? This is where deliveries go wrong. Our standard truck and trailer run about 55 feet long. If your site is tight, we can send a 28-foot truck and bring one 20ft container at a time. Also check for low branches, overhead wires and fences. Full requirements are on our shipping container delivery page, and our guide to preparing for shipping container delivery walks the site checklist.
Can you set the container directly on the ground? Usually not recommended. It depends on the container type, the landscape and how you plan to use it. Better to raise the container on railroad ties, cement blocks or boards as a makeshift foundation. Otherwise it can sink unevenly over time.
How long does delivery take? Ask for a specific date, not a range. Modifications like windows, doors, shelving, ventilation or custom paint add time. Your provider should give you a timeline based on your exact order.
What happens if the ground is wet? Dry ground is best. A loaded truck can get stuck in mud, sand or soft soil, and that costs you a rescheduling fee.
Questions About Modifications and Security
What modifications do you offer? Most providers customize the units they sell. Options run from windows and doors to shelving, insulation, ventilation and custom flooring. Every modification adds to the price. What you pick depends on the job, whether that is a mobile office, a pop-up food stand, a classroom or a garden shed. See the full range on our container modifications page.
What security options are available? Standard cargo doors lock, but a container sitting on an open job site deserves more. Ask about lockboxes, crossbar locks and high-security padlocks, and whether they can be fitted before delivery. Our post on shipping container locks covers the options.
How do you recommend I maintain it? A good provider will tell you. Keep the roof clear of debris and standing water, treat rust early, and lubricate the door hinges. Our shipping container maintenance guide has the routine.
Questions About Permits and Zoning in Georgia
Do I need a permit for this container? Georgia has no statewide rule for containers placed on private property. Your county or city decides. Ask your provider what they have run into locally, then confirm with your planning and zoning office before you order.
These are the factors that usually decide it:
- Zoning district. Agricultural, commercial and industrial land tends to be permissive. Residential zones carry the most restrictions.
- Permanent versus temporary. A container parked during construction is often treated more leniently than one installed indefinitely.
- Accessory structure rules. Many jurisdictions classify a ground-placed container as an accessory structure, which can trigger size limits and a permit.
- Setbacks. Rules commonly dictate distance from property lines, the street and other buildings.
- Screening. Some areas require the container be hidden from street view with fencing or landscaping, or placed behind the home.
- HOA covenants. An HOA can restrict or ban containers even where the county allows them.
Atlanta and its suburbs run stricter than rural unincorporated counties. If you plan to convert the unit into living space, the rules change again. Read are container homes legal in Georgia for the building code and permit path.
Questions About Price, Fees and Payment
What are your prices? This varies with the size, type and grade you choose. Get a detailed breakdown in writing so nothing surprises you later.
Ask what the quote does and does not include:
- Delivery to your ZIP code
- Any surcharge for difficult site access
- Modification costs
- Sales tax
- Rescheduling or re-delivery fees
Do you offer a discount? Ask, especially in off-peak seasons.
What payment methods do you accept, and do you offer financing? Worth asking before you get to the end of the process.
Should You Rent or Buy?
Ask whether your provider does both. We sell and lease, so it is a real choice.
Renting fits a need with an end date, like a six-month job site or a seasonal inventory overflow. Buying fits anything running past a year or two. At that point the monthly rental adds up past the purchase price, and you own an asset you can resell.
If you lean toward renting, work through the questions to ask when renting a storage container first.
Quick Checklist to Take Into Your Call
- How long have you been in business?
- Can you provide references I can call?
- What grade is this specific unit?
- Is it wind and water tight or cargo worthy?
- Can I see photos or video of the exact container?
- Who covers damage during delivery?
- Flat-bed or roll-back, and what does each cost?
- How much clearance does your truck need?
- What is my delivery date?
- What modifications and locks can you add?
- Do I need a permit in my county?
- What is the full price, in writing, with delivery included?
- Do you rent as well as sell?
- What payment methods and financing do you accept?
Contact Transocean Equipment Management
Have more questions about buying a shipping container in Georgia? Contact Transocean Equipment Management or request a free price quote with your delivery ZIP. We serve Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta and the rest of Georgia with new, used and specialized containers.
