You already know a steel container can solve a storage problem. What you need now are the numbers: which size fits your space, what you should expect to pay, and what has to be true on your property before a truck shows up.
I put this guide together to answer those questions in plain terms. Many people look for shipping containers Montana buyers can trust, and the choice gets easier when you know the sizes, the price factors, and the delivery needs before you call anyone.
I based my recommendations on a few things: whether the seller keeps a deep inventory, whether you can see the container before you commit, how the delivery works, and whether the business is rooted in the community it serves. One company meets all of those, and I explain why below. When you finish reading, you will know what to ask and what to expect.
Pick Your Size First
Size decides almost everything else, including price, delivery needs, and how you will use the unit. Most Montana buyers choose between two sizes.
The 20-Foot Container
This is the easier unit to place. It fits in a driveway, a yard, or a small job site. It suits home projects, moderate storage, and small business inventory.
- Inside length: 19 feet 4 inches
- Inside width: 7 feet 8 inches
- Inside height: 7 feet 10 inches
- Delivery space needed: about 70 feet of straight, clear room
The 40-Foot Container
This unit gives you twice the length and the most storage you can get in a single container. It fits large equipment, bulk materials, and long-term needs on farms and in businesses.
- Inside length: 39 feet 5 inches
- Inside width: 7 feet 8 inches
- Inside height: 8 feet 10 inches
- Outside size: 40 feet long, 8 feet wide, 9 feet 6 inches high
- Door opening: 7 feet 8 inches wide by 8 feet 5 inches high
- Empty weight: about 8,600 pounds, which can vary
- Delivery space needed: about 100 feet of straight, clear room, plus space for the truck and trailer to turn
Some yards also carry 10-foot and 8-foot units, depending on inventory. Ask about them if your space is tight.
What Containers Cost
Price depends on three things: size, condition, and current supply. Supply changes, so any number you read online can be out of date by the time you call.
Rental rates give you a firm starting point. At MoCan Containers, rentals start at $150 per month for a 20-foot unit and $190 per month for a 40-foot unit. Prices for new units come by phone, since they shift with inventory.
Here is how I suggest you think about cost:
1. Decide how long you need the container.
2. Compare the total rental cost over that time with the price of buying.
3. Add the delivery fee to both numbers.
4. Think about resale value if you plan to buy.
A 40-foot unit can cost less than renting several small containers, and it holds good resale value. That matters if your needs may grow.
New or Used
New containers are called one-trip containers. They arrive with fresh paint, intact weather seals, and little wear. Choose one if appearance matters, such as a unit that sits near your home or a shop front.
Used containers cost less and use the same steel construction. A good seller inspects each one to confirm it is wind and watertight, lockable, and sound. Expect faded paint, dents, or surface rust. These marks do not change how the container performs or how secure it is. You can repaint a used unit, and many owners do.
For tools, feed, seed, machinery, and construction gear, a used container does the work well.
Rent or Buy
Buy if you need storage for years. Rent if your need has an end date. Rentals at MoCan Containers start at one month and can run as long as you need, and you can extend the term if a project runs long.
Common short-term uses include:
- Home remodels and renovations
- Storage during a move between homes
- Seasonal business inventory
- Events, festivals, and fairs
- Construction site storage
- Planting and harvest seasons on a farm
How Delivery Works in Montana
Montana has long distances, and delivery cost can climb with them. MoCan Containers keeps its delivery fee affordable, even for long trips, and handles delivery and pickup across the state.
Their tilt-bed trailers place the container where you want it. Before drop-off, their team reviews your space and access with you. Look at your site with these questions in mind:
- Is there a straight, clear path of 70 feet for a 20-foot unit or 100 feet for a 40-foot unit?
- Is the ground firm and fairly level?
- Do gates, trees, or power lines block the route?
- Do you want the doors facing a certain direction?
Answer these before delivery day, and the drop goes smoothly.
Why I Recommend MoCan Containers
I recommend MoCan Containers for several reasons.
You choose your unit. You can walk the yard, inspect the condition of each container, and pick the one you want. That same container goes to your site. Few sellers offer this, and it removes guesswork.
They keep a large inventory. They report the largest inventory within a 300-mile radius. Both new one-trip and used units come in 20-foot and 40-foot sizes, for sale or rent.
They are local. This is a family-owned Montana business with ties to Billings and Bozeman.
They offer more than boxes. They provide custom modifications for people who want a workshop, studio, office, or small retail space.
Their units get inspected. Each container is checked and maintained to a high standard before it leaves the yard.
Where to Find Them
Billings yard: 1721 Old Hardin Rd, Billings, MT 59101. Phone (406) 661-1226. It serves Yellowstone County and eastern and central Montana. You can stop by to view inventory.
Bozeman yard: 39 Jays Way, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730. Phone (406) 661-1684. It serves the Gallatin Valley, Paradise Valley, and southwest Montana. Call to schedule a visit.
Both yards are open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 to 5:00. Friday through Sunday visits need an appointment.
Before You Call
Have these items ready:
1. The size you think you need
2. Whether you want to buy or rent, and for how long
3. Your delivery address and a picture of the placement spot
4. Any changes you want, such as extra doors or windows
With that information, you can get a clear quote and an inventory check in one call. Then visit the yard, pick your container, and set a delivery date.
