Containers have a reputation for being huge and you might think that any kind will do just fine. However, knowing the condition and the quality of the container before buying it is very important. This will prevent future problems that could disrupt you from building the shipping container home of your dreams. In this article, we will tackle about pre and post shipping container purchasing guidelines. We will also discuss about the different parts of the container and how you can inspect them.
When buying shipping containers, you need to have a vision about your shipping container home first. The container will play a huge part in building it so it needs to go well with the home you have in mind. You can choose from a Dry Van (DV) container or General Purpose (GP) container. In terms of sizes, you can go for a 20ft or 40ft container in a standard or high cube configuration. These choices will get you started if you are still not familiar with other options.
Pre and Post Purchasing Guidelines
Container inspection for a home project is easy because most of it can be done visually. During the pre-purchase inspection, you can drive to the location of the container and inspect it up close. Doing so, you can precisely check every nook and corner of the container. However, if you can’t go to personally inspect the container, you can ask for photographs or videos. Just make sure that you give clear and specific instructions about the parts that you wanted to be photographed or filmed. For post-purchase inspection, you need to be there in the construction area to inspect it. If you can’t make it, have a trustworthy person to receive the container, and thoroughly inspect it for you.
How To Inspect Shipping Container
Inspecting shipping containers doesn’t require technical knowledge or advanced equipment. You can typically do it through visual inspection. This simple yet reliable method is the easiest way to check the overall condition of a container. You can start by checking the floor; you can do this by walking from your front to back then examining the left and right area. For wall inspection, you can walk from the front to back then check the dry container up and down. This method is easy yet it covers all parts that you wanted to inspect.
What To Inspect In Shipping Containers
The structural frame supports the entire container while the walls are typically what you mostly see around it. Apart from that, there’s the underside and the roof that makes up the lower and upper part of the container. These parts contribute to the strength of the container and they need to be in good condition. They are usually prone to rust so always make sure to check for any signs of surface or deeper rust and dents. End doors are the only part of the container that utilizes mechanical parts. This part is widely affected by rust, dirt, and other corrosion.
The interior part of the container is inspected by closing all the doors and checking if any light comes through. Besides that, the flooring of the container is prone to mold infestation. This is usually due to leaking somewhere in the container. You can do a smell test to find out. Lastly, you should never forget about the CSC Plate of the container. It contains important information about the cargo container.
Purchasing The Shipping Container
Now that you know the parts of the container and how to inspect it, you can purchase your shipping container here at Container Office Singapore to start building your home. We provide the best deals with warranty to avoid costly return processes.
