Preparing for your shipping container pickup will help you avoid the possibility of fees and rescheduling. Maybe you’re upgrading to a larger rental container, moving from one location to another, or simply don’t need it anymore. In any case, we want to help you make sure your pickup goes off without a hitch. In this article, you’ll learn what to do to make your mobile office or storage container pickup a success.

Quick Summary – 4 Steps to Prepare for Container Pickup

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1. Clear the Interior of Your Container – Remove all items and sweep it clean
2. Clear the Surrounding Area – Make sure nothing blocks access or surrounds the container
3. Ensure Your Location is Accessible for Shipping Container Pickup – Open any gates and remove overhead obstructions
4. Unlock your Containers – Unlock the container before we arrive

1. Clear the Interior of Your Container

You’ll want to skip this step if we’re moving a loaded 20ft storage container to a new location for you. While most 20ft containers can be moved while loaded, 40ft containers need to be empty.

• Completely empty out your storage container or mobile office for pickup. (This includes any pallets or leftover building materials, which commonly get left behind).
• Blow or sweep out your container when done.

If your container is dirty or filled with material at pickup, you may be charged a clean out fee.

2. Clear the Surrounding Area

>/span> Nothing should be on top of or leaning against your shipping container for pickup. This ensures none of your valuable property is lost or damaged. Also, ensure the path to your container is clear of debris or anything that may get in the way of our truck.

You should remove:

• Items leaning on or stacked against the container
• Tree branches, roofing or temporary structures overhead
• Tools, vehicles or construction debris in the approach path

Minimum Clearance Requirements:

Width:

• 12ft

Height:

• 13ft (14ft for high cube containers)

Length (For truck maneuvering):

• 50ft L for 15ft or smaller containers
• 60ft L for 20-24ft containers
• 120ft L for 30-40ft containers
• 135ft L for 45ft containers

If you’re returning a ground level office, have a licensed electrician disconnect it from power before requesting pickup.

3. Ensure Your Location is Accessible for Shipping Container Pickup

Even if your container is ready, our driver may not be able to pick it up if access is blocked or unclear. Here’s how to make sure your location is accessible:

• Open gates before our truck arrives
• Remove padlocks or access codes on entry points
• Give clear instructions if your job site is large, remote, or doesn’t have labeled street names

If we can’t reach the container due to access issues, your pickup may need to be rescheduled and result in additional charges.

4. Unlock your Containers

Before your scheduled pickup, be sure to:

• Remove puck locks, padlocks, and any internal locking mechanisms
• Arrange for someone to be present if the container is in a secured area
• Ensure that you unlock your container and remove your puck lock and any additional padlocks. It helps to arrange for someone to be present to unlock it when we arrive.

If our driver arrives and the container is locked with no one available to open it, the pickup may be canceled and rescheduled, incurring fees for the extra trip or lock removal.

When You’re Ready, Call for Pickup

By following these simple instructions, you can ensure that your mobile office or storage container pickup will be a smooth and stress-free experience. Clearing out the interior and surrounding area of your container, ensuring accessibility to the container and unlocking your container will all help to avoid extra fees and rescheduling. We are committed to making sure that your shipping container pickup goes off without a hitch, so you can focus on what’s important to you. Remember to call us for all your storage or office container needs, and we will be happy to assist you. Talk with a dedicated Southwest Mobile Storage representative the next time you need to rent storage or office containers.