A farm often grows faster than the existing barn can keep up with. Using an agricultural storage container for machinery, animal feed or general storage is then a fast and robust addition, without the build time and permit process of a new barn. This guide sets out when renting or buying makes sense, which size fits and which modifications are useful on the yard.
Replacing an existing barn with a container is not the best choice in every situation, but for additional storage on the yard it is often the fastest. A container is in place in days rather than weeks, requires no building drawings and needs hardly any maintenance. For the full comparison between the two options, read the overview at shipping container vs steel barn.
On many yards the container does not replace the barn but stands alongside it: as extra storage for equipment that is used little outside the season, or as a separate, enclosed space for animal feed so that it does not have to sit among the rest of the equipment in the barn.
Buitenmaten (l × b); High Cube-varianten zijn 30 cm hoger. View stock →
A container for storage keeps small tractors, trailers, tools and seasonal equipment dry and out of sight. A 20ft container (around 6 metres) is the practical middle ground for most businesses, comparable to the trade-off contractors make with a site container for the building site: for long-term, frequent use buying is usually more cost-effective, while for a temporary need renting is more flexible.
For larger machines or several units at once, a 40ft container offers more room, and for heavy or tall equipment the extra internal height of a High Cube version is often welcome.
Animal feed places different demands than tools: it needs to stay dry, be sufficiently ventilated to prevent heating, and be sealed off against vermin. The steel walls of a shipping container are already a good starting point here, guaranteed wind and watertight. In our own workshop, ventilation grilles, extra access doors and, if desired, insulation are fitted, the same approach as when converting into an office or workshop, but tailored to a dry and ventilated storage space for feed.
When positioning, make sure the ground is level and hard-standing so that moisture cannot rise from below; the basic principles for this are described at placing a container.
| Factor | Renting | Buying |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable for | Temporary or seasonal needs | Long-term and structural use |
| Upfront investment | No purchase required | The container remains an investment that retains value |
| Flexibility | Easy to scale the number of units up or down | Fixed use, but fully customisable to your wishes |
| Conversion | More limited, depending on the rental terms | Fully to your wishes: ventilation, insulation, extra doors |
| Enquiry | Leave your name and number for a tailored rental proposal | Quote with price and delivery date within an hour on working days |
Before placing a container, check whether the local authority requires a planning permit. This varies by area and depends among other things on the size, how long it will stand and the distance to the boundary. Always check this in advance with your local authority.
Let us know whether you are looking for temporary or structural storage space, and which type of container you have in mind. We will note your name and phone number or email address and send a tailored proposal within an hour on working days, for either renting or buying.
A farmyard often lies out of sight of the road, which can make a container for agricultural use an attractive target. A lock box against break-ins is available as standard, as are extra access doors and lighting. For the container's lifespan the same basic rules apply as for any shipping container: good ventilation and touching up damaged coating in good time, as described at maintenance and preventing rust.
Does your business need several units at once, for example for both storage and animal feed at different locations? Then buying containers in bulk for business is often easier to plan than separate purchases. Containers are moreover often available directly from stock, including in more rural areas, as you can read at delivery by region.
Browse the current range of new and used containers in the shop, or request a quote for storage, animal feed or general storage tailored to your business. Read more about buying safely and without a middleman at buying a shipping container safely.
For additional storage on the yard, a container is often a fast and robust alternative to a new barn: it is usually in place within 3 to 7 working days, requires no building drawings and hardly any maintenance. For large, permanent areas of hundreds of square metres, a barn may work out more cost-effective in the end. For most agricultural storage needs, a container is the faster and more flexible choice.
Yes, a shipping container is wind and watertight as standard, which is a good basis for dry animal feed storage. In our own workshop, ventilation grilles are fitted to prevent heating, optionally supplemented with insulation and extra access doors for easy access. This creates an enclosed, dry space that stands apart from other equipment in the barn.
That mainly depends on the duration. For long-term, structural use, for example fixed storage for equipment, buying is usually more cost-effective because the container remains an investment that retains value. For temporary or seasonal storage, such as extra space during harvest, renting is more flexible and requires no upfront purchase budget.
For most agricultural businesses, a 20ft container, around 6 metres long, is the practical middle ground for tools and smaller equipment. For larger machines or several units at once, a 40ft container, around 12 metres, offers more room. A High Cube version provides 30 centimetres of extra internal height, handy for taller or stacked equipment.
That varies by area and depends among other things on the size of the container, whether the placement is temporary or permanent, and the distance to the boundary. Some authorities allow a small, temporary container without a permit, while others do set requirements. Always check this in advance with your local authority.
View live stock with prices, or get a tailored quote within one business hour.
