You have ordered your shipping container!  It is being prepared!  Now it is time to make sure the area where your container will be located is ready. In preparation for the delivery of your new portable container, you will want to go over our FAQs about site preparation.  Prepare for Portable Containers Installation.

Site Preparation for a Shipping Container

How you prepare your property will depend on how long the container will remain at the location.

If you have a container that will be moved often, you can place the container on a cleared, flat piece of ground with open soil.  Another option is a parking lot. If you place the shipping container on bare soil, make sure that the soil is well packed.  Additionally, it cannot  have more than a 2 percent grade.

If your container remains in that location for over 30 days, you will want to place it on a parking lot, driveway, or concrete slab. If you place the container on bare earth, you will need to make sure that the container remains level by checking it monthly. A container that becomes off-level can cause electrical hazards and plumbing problems.

Other Preparations To Do Before Delivery

There are a few things that you should do before your container is delivered / Prepare for Portable Containers Installation:

•  Check with the local building authorities to find out if you need any special permits to have the container on your property. If so, make sure that they are in place before the arrival.
•  Verify the delivery date.  You can have any necessary equipment for moving the container available on your property.

Preparation For Electrical Hook Up

All electrical work should be completed by a licensed electrician. While you are waiting for your portable container to arrive, you will want to:

• Verify that the area where you are placing the container has access to electricity. If not, make preparations to have electricity run to that area.
• Check with the local building department to find out if you need any special permits.
• Verify that the electrical system on the property is compatible with the container.

Hire a licensed electrician to complete electrical work prior to arrival and to connect electric service to the container once it arrives.

Preparation For Plumbing

For health and safety reasons, it is recommended that you use a licensed plumber to connect the water and sewer lines to your container.

• Check the local building department to find out if permitting is necessary.
• Verify water and sewer line availability where you are going to place the container.
• Hire a licensed plumber to set up water and sewer systems.

For answers to questions you may have about preparing for the delivery of your portable container, speak with one of our knowledgeable staff members at Portables 360.