20ft Containers for Sale & Hire Rochdale

Our 20ft shipping containers are durable, secure, and weatherproof. Hire or buy with speedy delivery and fair prices.

20ft Container

20ft Shipping Containers in Rochdale

Secure, Versatile, and Ready for Immediate Delivery

Looking for secure and versatile storage or shipping options in Rochdale? You are in the right place. At Shipping Containers of Manchester, we supply high-quality, heavy-duty 20ft shipping containers for both hire and outright sale. Whether you are managing a sprawling construction site near the M62, expanding a retail operation in the town centre, or tackling a complex residential relocation, our containers are the gold standard for security, capacity, and long-term durability.

Every single unit we supply is built to withstand the harshest British weather, keeping your valuable assets safe, dry, and secure. Depending on your project requirements and budget, we offer these units in both brand-new (one-trip) and high-quality used conditions. With our efficient and reliable container transport services, we can swiftly deliver and position your unit exactly where you need it. If your spatial requirements are slightly different, we also offer compact 10ft containers and massive 40ft containers to ensure every storage dilemma has a practical solution.

The beauty of the 20ft container lies in its sheer adaptability. It has become the go-to choice across Greater Manchester for a diverse range of applications:

  • Construction & Engineering: Ultra-secure on-site storage for expensive plant machinery, hand tools, and building materials.
  • Retail & Logistics: Instant, weatherproof stockrooms for seasonal inventory, excess pallets, or archived business documents.
  • Domestic & Renovations: Safe, clutter-free storage for furniture and household goods during major home extensions or relocations.
  • Events & Hospitality: Temporary, lockable space for staging equipment, festival gear, and catering supplies.

Why Choose Our 20ft Containers in Rochdale?

When it comes to sourcing on-site space, you want something that is hassle-free, cost-effective, and incredibly tough. Our 20ft containers tick every single box. Constructed from high-grade Cor-Ten steel, these units form a rust-resistant barrier against the elements, so wind, rain, and snow have no chance. Furthermore, we equip our containers with robust lock boxes as standard, providing an extra layer of defence against opportunistic theft.

Financially, opting for a shipping container is a total no-brainer compared to traditional bricks-and-mortar storage or expensive off-site warehousing. There are no lengthy commercial leases, no business rates to worry about, and no frustrating commute to an industrial estate every time you need to retrieve a single tool. Plus, if your business relocates, your storage unit can simply move right along with you. It is a flexible, sustainable approach to space management that protects your bottom line.

inside 20ft Container

We pride ourselves on offering a fully comprehensive service across the entire region. From initial consultation to final drop-off, our dedicated Rochdale container services team ensures you receive transparent advice, competitive standard rates, and elite customer care. We do not just drop a box and leave; we make sure it is perfectly level, fully accessible, and exactly fit for your intent.

Specifications of Our 20ft Containers

To ensure your goods fit comfortably, it helps to know the unit's exact physical constraints. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the imperial and metric dimensions for our standard 20ft shipping containers:

Description Imperial Measurements Metric Measurements
External Dimensions (LxWxH) 20’ x 8’ x 8’6" 6.096m x 2.438m x 2.591m
Internal Volume 1,165 cubic feet 33m3
Door Opening Width 7’ 8 1/16" 2.35m
Door Opening Height 7’ 5 1/2" 2.274m
Internal Dimensions (LxWxH) 19' 4 1/8" x 7' 8 1/2" x 7' 10 7/32" 5.896m x 2.35m x 2.393m
Maximum Payload 62,391 lb 28,300 kg
Gross Weight 67,197 lb 30,480 kg

As a general rule of thumb, the internal volume of 33 cubic metres can comfortably hold the contents of an average three-bedroom house or up to ten standard, non-stacked European pallets. It is truly the "Goldilocks" size, large enough to handle substantial cargo, yet compact enough to sit neatly within a standard driveway, parking bay, or tight building site corner.

20ft Container

Bespoke Customisation Options

A standard container is great, but a tailored container is a game-changer. We do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Depending on what you are storing or how you intend to work inside the unit, our expert engineers can transform a basic metal box into a highly functional workplace or specialised storage environment. If you want to dive deeper into maximising the longevity and utility of your investment, take a look at our guide to protecting your containers from long-term wear and moisture.

Our most popular customisation services include:

  • Insulation & Ply Lining: Essential for preventing condensation and dampness, making it ideal for storing sensitive items such as fabrics, electronics, documents, and high-end furniture.
  • Electrical Fit-Outs: We can professionally install consumer units, bright LED strip lighting, heating units, and multiple standard plug sockets to create a fully functional mobile workshop or office.
  • Advanced Security Upgrades: For high-value sites, we offer heavy-duty padlocks, insurance-rated lock boxes, and anti-vandal window shutters to give you total peace of mind overnight.
  • Custom Painting: We can respray your container in any classic RAL colour code to match your corporate branding or to help the unit blend seamlessly into rural surroundings.
  • Personnel Doors & Windows: Replace or supplement the heavy cargo doors with easy-access, high-security pedestrian doors and double-glazed windows for daylighting.

Before moving forward with a placement, it is always wise to double-check local regulations. While containers are generally considered temporary structures, staying informed through our dedicated guide to planning permission in Rochdale will keep your project running smoothly without any unexpected administrative hiccups.

20ft side door Container

Delivery Logistics and Site Preparation

Getting your container delivered safely requires a bit of forward planning, but our transport team handles the heavy lifting. We utilise specialised HIAB delivery vehicles with powerful, truck-mounted cranes. This allows our highly trained drivers to lift, manipulate, and drop the container over fences, walls, or tight obstacles with pinpoint accuracy.

To ensure a flawless delivery on the day, consider the following preparation steps:

  1. Clear the Access Route: Ensure there are no low-hanging tree branches, overhead power lines, or tightly parked cars that could block a large, heavy-duty HGV flatbed.
  2. Prepare Level Ground: Containers need to sit on flat, stable ground. Concrete, tarmac, or compacted hardcore are ideal. If placed on grass or soft soil, you will need to provide concrete slabs or timber sleepers for the corners to rest on.
  3. Check Clearance Space: Remember that the delivery truck needs ample space to extend its stabiliser legs and operate the crane arm safely during drop-off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are your 20ft containers new or used?

We supply both options. Our new "one-trip" containers are manufactured in Asia, make a single ocean voyage, and arrive in pristine condition, ideal if aesthetic appearance is important to you. Our used containers are sourced directly from shipping lines, thoroughly inspected to ensure they remain structurally sound, windproof, and completely watertight, and offered at a more budget-friendly price point.

Can you deliver containers to tricky locations across Rochdale?

Absolutely. Our drivers are local logistics experts equipped with advanced HIAB crane vehicles. We regularly deliver to tight industrial estates, active construction zones, rural farms, and domestic properties across Rochdale, Milnrow, Littleborough, and the wider Greater Manchester area. As long as our vehicle has structural access and clearance for the crane arm, we can usually get the job sorted.

Do I need formal planning permission for a 20ft container?

In the vast majority of cases, shipping containers are classified as temporary structures, meaning they do not require formal planning permission. However, exceptions do apply if you plan to site the container in a designated conservation area, near a listed building, or if it blocks highway visibility or stays permanently for several years. We always recommend consulting our local planning guide or contacting Rochdale Borough Council if you have any doubts.

How do you prevent condensation from forming inside the container?

Because containers are large steel boxes, temperature drops can cause ambient moisture to condense on the ceiling, often called "container rain." To prevent this, we offer several effective solutions, including internal ply lining with high-grade insulation, anti-condensation interior chemical coatings (such as GrafoTherm), and strategically placed structural air vents to keep fresh air circulating smoothly.

How quickly can I get a container delivered to my site?

We pride ourselves on rapid turnaround times. Standard, unmodified 20ft containers can frequently be dispatched and positioned on your site within 48 to 72 hours of order confirmation, depending on current stock levels and transport scheduling. If you require complex, bespoke structural modifications, our workshop team will outline a clear, predictable timeline before you commit.

A few of our Trustpilot reviews.

Great service and good value

Very helpful staff who answered any questions I had and provided a quote promptly for the hire of a storage container. The whole process from my initial enquiry, to ordering a container and it being delivered to site was straightforward and efficiently handled. The storage container was in a very good, clean condition and good value to hire.

Excellent company - great service

We were messed around by another supplier and so after weeks of waiting to no avail we got a refund and went to these guys. Their communication was excellent and within days we had our container delivered. Container in excellent condition, the delivery driver was very helpful and arrived on time, and the total price was the cheapest we could fine. Highly recommended.

From initial contact through to…

From initial contact through to delivery the whole experience was excellent. In particular promised phone calls to arrange delivery and access issues happened on time and everything went smoothly.

Office Hours

Monday : 9:00-17:30
Tuesday : 9:00-17:30
Wednesday : 9:00-17:30
Thursday : 9:00-17:30
Friday : 9:00-17:30
Saturday : Closed
Sunday : Closed
Tel: 0330 0130 636