Ordering a shipping container is one thing; getting it to the right spot is another matter entirely. Container transport costs are never a fixed amount: they depend on distance, weight, accessibility and the type of transport required. In this article we explain how container transport works, which factors determine the delivery costs, and how HEROX places a container on site quickly and flexibly.
A shipping container is not simply rolled off the lorry. Transport is carried out with specialised equipment that sets the container down without damage and to the centimetre.
A crane truck lifts the container off the trailer and places it in the desired spot, even if that is set back a little from the road or cannot be reached in a straight line. This is the most commonly used method for containers in the garden or in places with limited manoeuvring room.
A sideloader is a lorry that lowers the container sideways off the trailer itself. This works quickly and efficiently, but does require a straight, firm surface right next to the lorry's route.
Which method suits best depends on the location. This is taken into account when you request a quote.
Container delivery costs are made up of several elements. The most important are:
Not sure whether your location is suitable? Then let us know in advance when you request a quote, so the planning is right from the start. This applies in every region, from major cities to rural areas.
| Feature | Crane truck | Sideloader |
|---|---|---|
| Placement | Lifts the container to the desired spot | Lowers the container sideways |
| Suitable for | Hard-to-reach or set-back locations | Straight, easily accessible locations |
| Surface requirements | Level and firm under the container | Level and firm, right next to the lorry's route |
| Placement speed | A little more involved due to the lifting work | Fast at a suitable location |
Make sure the surface is level, firm and load-bearing, and that there is enough room for a lorry to manoeuvre. This prevents delays on the day of delivery and keeps the delivery costs predictable.
Want to know what transport to your location costs? Provide the desired container type and the delivery location, and you'll receive a concrete price quote within one hour on working days.
Placing a shipping container on site is never a standard job. On a building site the container sometimes has to fit between other materials, while at a private address the passage alongside the house often comes into play. That is why every request is assessed for the specific situation: the width of the driveway, the presence of trees or utility lines, and the distance between the public road and the desired spot. This way the shipping container is delivered quickly and positioned correctly straight away, without having to be shifted on the day itself.
For several containers at once, too, we discuss in advance how transport and placement can be scheduled most efficiently.
Is the container no longer in the ideal spot, for instance after building work or a change in how the site is used? Even then, a shipping container can be moved with the same crane truck that originally placed it. For short distances on the same site, the crane truck alone is often enough; for a move to another location, transport is needed again, comparable to the first delivery.
Some containers are placed on a wheeled chassis for temporary use — a shipping container on wheels — which makes moving it around a site easier. Whether this is a suitable solution depends on the intended use and the surface on site; discuss this when you request a quote.
Curious about the exact container transport costs for your situation? View the current range in the shop or request a quote with your name, phone number or email address, the desired container type and the delivery location. Want to know more about buying safely without a middleman? Read how that works at HEROX or check what to look out for in this explanation of warranty and inspection.
Transport costs depend on the distance from the depot, the container type and how accessible the location is. You'll receive an exact price quote including transport within one hour on working days via the quotation request, as soon as it is known which type of container is needed and where it needs to be placed.
Delivery usually takes place within 3 to 7 working days from one of the European depots, by crane truck or sideloader. The exact date is stated in the quote, which follows by email within one hour on working days after the request.
A crane truck lifts the container to the desired spot and is suitable for hard-to-reach locations. A sideloader lowers the container sideways off the trailer, which works faster but requires a straight, easily accessible surface. Which method suits is determined in advance based on the location.
Yes, a shipping container can still be moved later with a crane truck, for instance after building work or a change to the site. For a move to another location, transport is needed again, comparable to the first delivery.
The surface must be reasonably level and firm, and the location must be accessible for a lorry with a crane truck or sideloader. Narrow access roads or a poor surface can make placement more difficult, so let us know in advance when you request a quote.
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