Used Containers for NJ Contractors & Landscapers

For New Jersey contractors and landscapers, a used container is often the most practical piece of equipment they own. It keeps tools, materials and machines locked up on site or in the yard, it doesn't need a foundation, and it can move with the work.

Here's how contractors and landscapers across New Jersey use containers, which sizes work best and how to keep everything secure. For local delivery and sizes, see our page on used shipping containers for sale nj.

Why contractors choose containers

• Security: steel walls and lockable doors, far tougher than a job-site box or shed
• Weather protection: keeps tools, materials and equipment dry
• Mobility: can be moved from site to site by truck
• No foundation needed: a level, firm base is enough
• Value: a used wind and watertight container costs far less than building storage

Job-site storage

On construction and renovation sites, containers hold:

• Hand and power tools
• Building materials such as drywall, lumber, flooring and fixtures that need to stay dry
• Small equipment such as compressors, generators and saws
• Safety gear and supplies

A 20ft container is the most popular job-site size. On tight residential sites in older New Jersey towns, a 10ft may fit better.

Landscaping yards and equipment storage

Landscapers use containers to store:

• Mowers, trimmers, blowers and hand tools
• Fertilizer, seed and other materials that need to stay dry
• Seasonal equipment, such as snow blowers and salt spreaders in winter

A 40ft container in a yard can hold a whole crew's equipment. Some landscapers keep several containers side by side, one for each crew or season.

Winter storage

New Jersey winters are hard on equipment. A container keeps summer equipment out of the weather through the off-season, and keeps snow-removal gear ready and dry. Add vents to cut condensation, and keep fuel and chemicals stored according to safety rules.

Sizes that work for contractors and landscapers

Security on job sites

Job-site theft is a real cost. Protect your container with:

• A lock box that shields the padlock from bolt cutters
• A high-security padlock
• Placement where the doors face away from the road, or toward a well-lit area
• Lighting, such as a motion-sensor light
• An inventory of tools inside
• Insurance that covers tools and equipment stored in the container

Useful upgrades

• Shelving and racks to keep tools organized
• A workbench for on-site repairs
• A personnel door for quick access without opening the cargo doors
• Lighting and outlets if power is available
• Vents to cut condensation

See custom and office conex for modification options, and the 20ft office container for a site office.

Moving a container between sites

Empty containers can be relocated by tilt-bed truck. Moving a loaded container is risky and limited by weight, so empty it first where possible. Ask for a relocation quote, and check access at the new site before the truck arrives.

Rent or buy

For a single project, renting can be simpler. For contractors and landscapers who need storage year after year, buying a used wind and watertight container usually pays for itself quickly.

A typical contractor setup

Many New Jersey contractors use a simple layout that works on most sites:

• Shelving down one long wall for power tools, fasteners and small parts
• A rack along the other wall for ladders, levels and long tools
• Floor space at the back for materials that need to stay dry
• A clear area near the doors for the equipment used every day
• A lock box on the doors and a light inside

Set up this way, one 20ft container replaces a truck full of tools that would otherwise go home every night.

Keeping a yard of containers organized

If you run several containers in a yard:

• Number each container and keep a simple list of what's inside
• Assign containers to crews, seasons or types of equipment
• Leave wide aisles for trucks, trailers and loaders
• Keep the yard lit and fenced if you can

FAQ

What size container do contractors use most?

The 20ft, because it fits most job sites and holds a good amount of tools and materials.

Can I move my container between job sites in New Jersey?

Yes, by tilt-bed truck. Empty it first and check access at the new site.

Is a used container secure enough for tools?

Yes, especially with a lock box and a high-security padlock. Place it where the doors are visible or well lit.

Do I need a permit for a container on a New Jersey job site?

Job-site containers are often covered by the project's permits, but rules vary by municipality. Check locally.

Should landscapers buy or rent containers?

Most landscapers who need storage every year are better off buying. Renting suits short or one-off needs.