Have you considered starting your own business in a shipping container? They’re gaining popularity, and for good reason too – they’re eco-friendly, durable, and affordable to transport. From artisan shops and cafes to corporate offices, shipping containers seem to have a growing demand for new business and living opportunities.
Modified Shipping Containers for Purchase & Hire
At 1300Sparebox, we provide modified shipping containers for purchase and have a fully functional workshop on site where we can modify your newly purchased container. Since every business requirement is different, the modification process is very bespoke to your needs. We can do:
- Basic modifications: we get a lot of enquiries for basic modifications that typically include adding personal access doors, roller doors, painting the container in branded colours and adding windows
- More complex modifications: this could include adding vents, a customised room and more.
Once you provide us with your requirements and technical drawings, we then can then build a quote to confirm the modifications you need.
We also provide modified shipping containers for hire. These are containers that have been modified e.g. into a kiosk and get hired out by event or construction companies as containers. These containers are typically used as lunch rooms and site offices. Once you have finished your term of hire (e.g. 3-6 months), you just need to contact us and let us know you’ve finished with the use. We will then arrange a transport vehicle to pick up the modified container, it’s as easy as that.
Here’s a list of six creative shipping container ideas for entrepreneurs, businesses or anyone after cool shipping containers ideas for your next project:
1. Retail Businesses
Converted storage containers make all kinds of retail stores possible – you don’t need a lot of space to start an interesting shop selling handcrafted items or used goods. Plus, they are precisely built to function as a stand alone storefront out of steel. This makes shipping containers perfect for small business owners on a budget. A small business owner needs location and ample space at the right price to succeed. A few retail business ideas for shipping containers are:
- Clothing stores
- Thrift stores
- Jewellery stores
- Etsy shops and gift shops
- Plant shops and nurseries
- Pop up shops
For example, if you’re a jewellery designer, you could store earrings in the store half and use the workspace side to design new pieces. It’s really that simple. If you’re looking for help finding quality shipping containers to convert into a retail space, we can make it happen. Browse our 10’ shipping containers here.
2. Mobile Restaurants and Bars
Starting a restaurant is challenging enough, so why should you have to struggle when opening new locations? Use something that has never been used before: shipping containers. Shipping containers give restaurants something they never had before: a building that can move.
Restaurants housed in shipping containers are an innovative, sustainable way to run a restaurant. Not only do they use less materials and cost less to build, they can free the owner from many of the restrictions that could come with building on land.
3. Mobile Office Spaces
The cost of office spaces have skyrocketed in recent years, so finding an affordable office space is becoming such a great challenge. If you have started a business, and low overhead is still important for you, the idea of using shipping containers for office spaces can attract your attention.
There are really no rules when it comes to using shipping containers for office spaces. You can have a glass roof with an open floor plan or you can have a small enclosed space with windows only on one side. They are also perfect option for temporary construction site offices. It’s all up to you, your budget and the size of your business.
4. Event Venues
Using shipping containers as mobile event venues is a growing trend. You can use them to host concerts, parties, or any other special occasion that requires a large amount of space and access to water and electricity.
They are also ideal for pop-up events, such as food festivals and craft fairs, because they can be transported from place to place in just a few hours. When you’re done with the event, you can simply move the shipping container to another location and set it up again. You don’t have to worry about setting up and dismantling tents, or making sure the event space is in a central location for your target customers.
5. Gyms and Yoga Studios
Do you want to create a space for clients to work out after work, or just need a place to train new clients? Maybe you already have a space but are looking for extra storage ideas for equipment. Whatever the case may be, our shipping containers are the perfect option. Our containers can be customised to fit your needs and preferences for your specific gym or yoga studio.
If you are prepared to set up your own gym or yoga studio and want to get started, take a look at our 20 ft. shipping containers and 40 ft. shipping containers we have available.
The sky really is the limit when it comes to creating new and exciting shipping container businesses. From pop up spaces to mobile restaurants, these containers are proving how versatile they truly are, expanding the potential of both consumers and businesses.
5. Showrooms and Displays
If you’re moving from one location to another and want to take your display with you, consider using a modified shipping container as a temporary home for your showroom or exhibition. The advantages of using a 1300Sparebox shipping container is that they are very durable, and can be fitted out with anything from shelving and lighting to counters, desks and even offices. And they are very easy to transport – just pick up and go!
Permits & Compliance
Before you get started with the building process, contact your local council and get information about the relevant building codes in your area. You need to find out about building standards, zoning restrictions, height limitations and other limitations. Try to find out as much information as possible before you start working on your project.
Building Standards
There are various building standards that could affect how you build your shipping container business. For example, there are guidelines regarding ventilation, lighting, electrical wiring, plumbing and more. To meet these standards, you may need to make modifications to the container such as cutting holes in the wall or installing vents.
It’s also important to note that if you are planning on stacking containers or making any structural modifications like that, you will need an engineer involved in order to ensure that the structure is sound and safe.
Council approvals can be a time-consuming process so do your research and make sure that your business design and intended materials meet Australian building codes. You may also need to show your designs to your local council for a final approval.
Choose 1300Sparebox For All Your Shipping Container Needs
Here at 1300Sparebox, shipping containers are all we do. So we’ve got plenty of creative uses for shipping containers and know how to put them to work – including lots of clever ones that you might not have thought of!
Our dedicated modification and repair team work with all types of shipping containers
Our team has over 30 years of experience working with the conversion of new and used shipping containers across a variety of industries and is made up of qualified:
- Fabricators
- Boilermakers and welders
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Painters
- Refrigerated mechanics
- Installers
- Modification and customisation consultants
If you want to run a business from a shipping container or want to find out more about the best ways to use a shipping container, get a free quote. We’ll help you make your cargo container idea a reality.
