Currently reading: Christmas delivery: the garage you can have shipped in

A shipping container can make a great workshop or store room. James Ruppert explains how to set up a non-grotty grotto

Here’s the thing. Santa said that he needs an instant grotto, to give away pressies and park the sleigh. We are on pretty close terms, me and Santz (as I call him), so I pitched the idea of a container to him. 

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Containers are measured in imperial and are usually 6ft, 10ft, 20ft, 30ft or 40ft long, 8ft wide and 10ft high. There are various designs, with side openings and even refrigerated units. New ones start at around £2000 plus VAT. Used ones will be less depending on condition and size but are usually £1000. 

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My container requirement was purely as a great big stuff-swallowing box. Santa, though, might prefer all sorts of the more fancy options and they are available as offices with windows, or even clad in wood for that North Pole log cabin look. 

So where can you plonk your container? Well, the good news is that they are regarded as temporary structures. Just like caravans, they can be parked on your property and you should not need any planning permission. However, it’s wise to go and see your local planning office first, just in case. They may have restrictions when it comes to location, especially if you are in an area of natural beauty. There would be issues if you decided to start stacking them. It makes sense not to cover any mains drain access, or have power cables directly overhead. 

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If you have hard standing, then provided it can take the weight (a 20ft container is 2015kg and I know because it is spray painted on the door), it should be fine. Otherwise you need to prepare the ground, at least flatten it and put gravel down for drainage. What I did for my container was use a mini digger to remove the tree stumps, get a couple of railway sleepers and bed those in concrete so it could sit on them front and rear. Concrete blocks are another option. Just ensure that everything is level. 

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It is possible to buy a second-hand container unseen from an auction site. Private sellers might also have them in industrial yards or their gardens. Buying them is easy, but arranging transportation is less so. At that point, it starts to become rather complicated and expensive. Better to go to a specialist, who will guarantee that the container is watertight for at least 12 months and organise delivery. 

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What did I do? Well, I use a shipping company for various jobs throughout the year and I bought a brand-new one through them. The best aspect of this was that they used an excellent haulage company. There was lots of potential jeopardy, with plenty of things to hit. Instead, they did it in one and spent more time drinking tea. Twenty minutes all in at a cost of £500. 

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Anyway, Santz never got his act together for his Christmas container, so he will be borrowing mine. I’ll be the helpful little elf, as usual. 

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EdBalls 26 December 2018

Great way...

....to cheese off your neighbours.
Years ago my selfish neighbour in the countryside had 2 delivered, what eyesores!!!
230SL 26 December 2018

Make sure your container has

Make sure your container has enough ventilation to prevent condensation.

Next week nightmare neighbours which hoard...

Peter Cavellini 26 December 2018

Plenty Room.....

 You look like you have ground to spare and it placed in such a way as not to be noticed and it it’s new too, it’s a great idea but for most of us it’s a faff, for instance, what if your neighbor objects?, do you want to fall out with them?, and most of us won’t have ground to spare.

FMS 26 December 2018

Peter Cavellini wrote:

Peter Cavellini wrote:

 You look like you have ground to spare and it placed in such a way as not to be noticed and it it’s new too, it’s a great idea but for most of us it’s a faff, for instance, what if your neighbor objects?, do you want to fall out with them?, and most of us won’t have ground to spare.

 

Clearly you received no xmas invitations, then decided to come up with that nonsense. Ask yourself, what did I add to the world today...?

Peter Cavellini 26 December 2018

Umble Pie anyone...?

FMS wrote:

Peter Cavellini wrote:

 You look like you have ground to spare and it placed in such a way as not to be noticed and it it’s new too, it’s a great idea but for most of us it’s a faff, for instance, what if your neighbor objects?, do you want to fall out with them?, and most of us won’t have ground to spare.

FMS , like you I have a view, whether it concurs is another thing, saying someone is a Billy nomates only shows what a high opinion you have of yourself, I wish you good New Year.....

 

Clearly you received no xmas invitations, then decided to come up with that nonsense. Ask yourself, what did I add to the world today...?

si73 26 December 2018

FMS wrote:

FMS wrote:

Peter Cavellini wrote:

 You look like you have ground to spare and it placed in such a way as not to be noticed and it it’s new too, it’s a great idea but for most of us it’s a faff, for instance, what if your neighbor objects?, do you want to fall out with them?, and most of us won’t have ground to spare.

 

Clearly you received no xmas invitations, then decided to come up with that nonsense. Ask yourself, what did I add to the world today...?

Quite why you feel the need.to scorn anyone and everyone I don't know, why not just comment on the article istead of others view points?.

I thought it seemed like a great idea for those with the room until I read other posts highlighting the issues with temp changes and condensation, may e not such a great idea afetr all?

289 26 December 2018

@ FMS

Dear 'FMS'......suggest you ask yourself the very same question......just what did you add to the world today by trying to belittle Peter in this way.
He has done you no harm, his comments were not nonsense and he is entitled to his opinion. He also didn't attempt to be rude to anyone...unlike you who seem to feel you are in some position of power.
If Peter has time on his hands, or if he decides to look at Autocar's site on Boxing Day (which happens to be one of the busiest days in website visits), is none of your business....I would point out that by being here and pointing the finger of accusation at him....the same question as to your lack of diary commitments could be levelled at you too.
289 26 December 2018

@ Peter Cavellini

Listen Peter.....having once lived in Norfolk for 20 years. I feel qualified to tell you, that in some, (but I hasten to add- not all) parts of Norfolk....having a container or two in your drive is seen as 'posh' or 'one-upmanship' ;-)

As 230SL pointed out, they sweat inside terribly as the outside temperature fluctuates during winter, and in Summer they are (in effect), an oven. So I wouldnt put one of my cherished treasures in one....but each to his own