A 20ft general purpose container gives a solid amount of usable space for its footprint, which is exactly why it suits everything from tool storage to a compact site office. High cube 20ft shipping containers add extra internal height, useful where you need to stand taller shelving or fit out a workshop.

Door width decides what actually fits inside a 20ft container, not just the internal length and height listed on a spec sheet. Some containers open at one end only, others open at both, and containers with double-end access suit longer loads that a single-door container can’t take. A refrigerated container is worth a separate mention, since insulation panels sit inside the walls and take up some of that internal space, so a refrigerated container holds slightly less than a standard container of the same external size.

Whether a container is new or has already done a previous job, the footprint and capacity stay the same, since dimensions come from the build rather than the condition, and new shipping containers don’t measure any differently to used shipping containers. Across Australia, a 20ft shipping container in standard, refrigerated, or high cube form covers most site office and storage jobs, and buyers across Australia tend to measure what they need to store before settling on a height. Get a sense of your load first, then get in touch with ABC Containers to work out which configuration and door setup suits it.

New 20ft containers cost more but come with a longer working life and no history to worry about. Used containers, inspected properly, can do the same job for less, particularly for storage where a few cosmetic marks are not a dealbreaker. ABC Containers checks every shipping container for quality and dimensions before sale or hire, so what you are quoted matches what turns up.

New and used containers wear differently on the outside, but a scratched or faded exterior rarely says anything about the steel underneath. Internal cube capacity doesn’t change with age either: a high cube container built five years ago holds exactly as much as one that left the factory last month, whether it’s a standard container or a high cube container. Refrigerated containers are the one category where age is worth weighing more carefully, since a used refrigerated container has already logged running hours on its compressor, something a new refrigerated container hasn’t.

Availability often swings the decision too, since used containers sit ready to open and load the same day, while new containers can mean a wait on lead time. Either way, an open interior free of dents makes fit-out simpler, so check the doors open cleanly and the container itself has been assessed properly rather than judged on looks alone before you buy or hire.

The 20ft range covers a few different builds:

• General purpose containers – the standard sealed box, suited to storage and freight.
• High cube containers – extra internal height for taller storage or fit-outs.
• Side opening containers – doors along the side as well as the end, making loading and access easier.
• Dangerous goods containers – bunded and ventilated to AS 1940-2017 for compliant hazardous storage.

Side opening containers in particular solve a problem a lot of buyers do not think about until they are standing in front of a loaded container, getting bulky items in and out through end doors alone. Extra doors along the side of containers make it far easier to load pallets, shelving units, or equipment without having to unpack the whole container to reach the back.

Placement on site deserves a look before delivery, not after. Side access containers need clear ground space along that face to open properly, and fence lines or stacked stock can get in the way if nobody checks first. High cube containers bring a different placement question, since the extra height can clash with power lines, eaves, or low branches that a standard container would clear without issue.

Running several containers on one job often means mixing builds, so it’s worth marking out which containers sit where before the truck arrives rather than repositioning them once they’re down. A high roof isn’t always the priority either; some tasks need the reach of side doors more than the ceiling height a high cube container design adds, so weigh up access against clearance before locking in the order.

Perth buyers put 20ft containers to work in a lot of different ways. Common uses include:

1. Secure storage for tools, stock, or equipment on a construction site.
2. A compact site office or amenities block once modified.
3. Dangerous goods container Perth businesses can rely on for classes 3, 6, and 8 materials.
4. Backyard storage during a renovation or move.

A single container rarely does just one job over its time. Containers bought for backyard storage during a renovation often end up staying on as general storage once the build wraps up, and tradies frequently start with containers for tools before converting one into a site office partway through a job. Dangerous goods storage tends to be the exception, since those containers usually stay dedicated to compliant materials rather than switching roles.

Thinking ahead to how containers might be used six or twelve months from now, not just today, can save ordering more containers later when the first containers could have covered it from the start.

Pricing depends on condition, type, and any modifications. Used 20ft containers sit at the more affordable end of the range, while new containers, side opening containers, or dangerous goods units cost more. A free, all-in quote from ABC Containers confirms the exact price including delivery, so there is no guessing.

Flexible payment plans are available across outright purchase, hire to own and standard rental, so the way you pay can match the way you are actually using the container. That flexibility matters most for buyers who are not yet sure whether a project will run for three months or three years. Contact ABC Containers and get a free quote today!

If the need is short-term, hire makes sense, and ABC Containers runs a try-before-you-buy path where hire payments can convert into a purchase down the track. If you need the container long term, buying outright, or through a hire-to-own plan, usually works out better value.

As a rough guide, projects under a year and a half tend to favour hire, while anything longer starts tipping towards ownership. If your timeline is genuinely unclear, hiring first removes the pressure of committing to a decision before you actually know how long you will need the container.

Most Perth metro deliveries are completed within 24 to 48 hours. Before delivery day, it is worth checking your site has clear access for the delivery truck, since a 20ft unit still needs room to manoeuvre and set down safely.

A 20ft container can be modified in-house into a site office, workshop or dangerous goods store, with options including doors, windows, shelving, ventilation, insulation, painting and bunding.

• Doors and windows
• Shelving
• Ventilation
• Insulation
• Painting
• Bunding

If you are on the fence about size, think about how much you actually need to store or fit inside, and whether your site has room for the larger footprint. A 20ft unit suits most storage and small office needs, while a 40ft makes more sense for bulk storage or a larger workshop build.

ABC Containers keeps extensive stock on hand at Bibra Lake, so buyers and hirers can pick their own container rather than waiting on a delivery from interstate.

The process is simple: