You already know a steel container can keep tools, materials, and household items safe. The harder part is choosing the right one and getting it placed where you need it. I have studied how buyers compare containers, and a few choices decide whether a purchase works out: size, condition, delivery space, and the seller you pick.
If you plan to look at shipping cargo containers for sale in Montana, this guide gives you a clear way to decide. I chose the points below because they are the ones that cause the most trouble when a buyer skips them. By the end, you will know what to measure, what to inspect, and which questions to ask before you pay.
Start With What You Need to Store
Write down what will go inside before you look at any container. A short list keeps you from buying too much or too little space.
Think about these items:
- Tools and equipment for a job
- Building materials that need to stay dry
- Furniture and boxes during a move or remodel
- Farm gear, feed, seed, or machinery
- Business inventory that grows in busy months
Then think about how long you need the space. A remodel might need a container for a few months. A farm or a workshop might need one for many years. Your answer tells you whether to buy or rent.
Choose Between a 20-Foot and a 40-Foot Container
Most buyers pick one of two sizes. Each fits a different kind of project.
The 20-Foot Container
This size is compact and fits in tight spots such as driveways, yards, and small job sites. It suits home projects, moderate storage needs, and small business inventory.
Inside, it measures 19 feet 4 inches long, 7 feet 10 inches high, and 7 feet 8 inches wide. Delivery needs about 70 feet of straight, clear space.
The 40-Foot Container
This container has twice the length and the most room you can get in one unit. It fits large equipment, bulk materials, and long-term storage for farms and businesses.
Here are the specifications:
- Inside: 39 feet 5 inches long, 8 feet 10 inches high, 7 feet 8 inches wide
- Outside: 40 feet long, 9 feet 6 inches high, 8 feet wide
- Door opening: 7 feet 8 inches wide by 8 feet 5 inches high
- Empty weight: about 8,600 pounds, which can vary
- Height choices: 9 feet 6 inches, or 8 feet 6 inches when available
Delivery needs about 100 feet of straight, clear space, plus room for the truck and trailer to turn. One 40-foot unit can cost less than several smaller rentals, and it holds good resale value.
Decide Between New and Used
A new container is called a one-trip container. It arrives with fresh paint, intact weather seals, and little wear. If appearance matters to you, or if you plan to turn it into an office or shop, a new unit is a good fit.
A used container costs less and has the same steel build and weather protection. Used units may have faded paint, dents, or surface rust. These marks change the look and leave performance and security the same. You can repaint a used container or modify it, which extends its life.
For tool storage, farm use, and construction materials, many buyers choose used and keep the unit for years. Ask the seller to confirm that a used container is wind and watertight, lockable, and structurally sound.
Measure Your Space and Delivery Path
Many buyers forget this step. A container needs a flat spot and a clear path for the truck.
Check these items before delivery day:
1. The straight length of the approach, which is 70 feet for a 20-foot unit and 100 feet for a 40-foot unit
2. Overhead lines and tree branches along the path
3. Gate width and the turn into your driveway or site
4. Ground that is firm and level where the container will sit
5. Room for the doors to open fully
Good sellers review this with you ahead of time. Tilt-bed trailers help because the driver can place the container in an exact spot without a crane.
Look at the Exact Container You Will Get
Photos help, but a container in person tells you more. Walk around it. Check the doors, the seals, the floor, and the roof. Look inside with the doors closed and see if any light comes through.
Ask whether you can choose the exact unit. At some sellers, you get whatever is on the truck. At others, you pick the container and that same one arrives at your site. I recommend the second option every time.
Buy or Rent
Buy if you expect to need storage for a year or more, or if you want to modify the container. Rent if the need is short, such as:
- A home remodel
- A move between houses
- Seasonal business inventory
- Events, festivals, and fairs
- A construction project with an end date
- Planting or harvest season
A good rental can extend if your project runs long, and the seller picks up the unit when you finish.
Why I Recommend MoCan Containers
If you live in Montana, I suggest you start with MoCan Containers. They are a local, family-owned business with yards in Billings and Bozeman, and they keep the largest inventory of shipping containers within a 300-mile radius. A large inventory gives you real choices in size and condition.
Here is what sets them apart:
- You pick your container. You can walk the yard, inspect each unit, and choose one. That unit is the one they deliver.
- They inspect every unit. Each container is checked and maintained, and used units are confirmed to be wind and watertight, lockable, and sound.
- They sell and rent. Both 20-foot and 40-foot sizes come in new and used condition. Rentals start at $150 per month for a 20-foot unit and $190 per month for a 40-foot unit. Smaller 10-foot and 8-foot units are available when inventory allows.
- They deliver across Montana. Their drivers use tilt-bed trailers for accurate placement, and the delivery fee stays affordable for long distances.
- They modify containers. If you want a studio, workshop, or small shop, they offer custom work.
Pricing depends on size, condition, and supply, so call for a quote and an inventory check.
Visit and Contact Details
The Billings yard is at 1721 Old Hardin Rd, Billings, MT 59101. You can call (406) 661-1226. You can stop by to view inventory.
The Bozeman yard is at 39 Jays Way in Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730. You can call (406) 661-1684. Call ahead to schedule a visit.
Both yards are open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 to 5:00. Friday through Sunday visits are by appointment.
Questions to Ask Any Seller
Use this list when you compare options:
1. Can I choose the exact container that will be delivered?
2. Is the unit wind and watertight, and can I see the doors and seals?
3. What is the full price, including delivery and pickup?
4. How much clear space does the driver need?
5. Can I rent first and buy later, or extend a rental?
6. Do you offer modifications?
Your Next Step
Measure your space, decide on a size, and set a budget. Then call a local seller and ask to see the container in person. A container you chose and inspected will serve your home or jobsite for many years.
