--- title: "Ground Preparation" description: "Shipping Containers of Manchester offers a range of shipping and storage containers within the Greater Manchester area." url: "https://shippingcontainersofmanchester.co.uk/blogs/ground-preparation" date: "2026-05-01T22:56:06+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- ![container delivery](https://shippingcontainersofmanchester.co.uk/images/Container-transport-mcr.jpg) # Ground Preparation: The Foundation of a Successful Delivery ## Don’t Let Delivery Day Become a Disaster There is nothing quite like the excitement of a new shipping container arriving. Whether you are a school in **Bury** needing extra storage for sports equipment or a business in **Trafford** expanding your office space, the anticipation is palpable. However, that excitement can quickly turn to frustration if the delivery driver takes one look at your site and shakes their head. We often say that a shipping container is only as good as the foundation it sits on. While these units are incredibly robust, designed to withstand months at sea and stacking weights of over 190 tonnes, they have an Achilles' heel: they need to be level. If they aren't, you face a world of operational headaches, from doors that jam to structural twisting. ## The "Three Points of Contact" Myth A common misconception is that a shipping container needs a full concrete slab to sit on. This isn’t strictly true. A shipping container is designed to carry its entire weight through its four corner castings. This structural engineering means you do **not** need support along the entire length of the floor. In fact, placing a container completely flat on the ground can be detrimental. It traps moisture underneath, accelerating rust. By elevating the container slightly and supporting only the four corners, you create essential airflow that keeps the underside dry. ## Assessing Your Site Access Before we even discuss the ground, we must consider how we will get the container *to* it. Our delivery vehicles are heavy and require specific clearances. ### Vehicle Dimensions and Clearance For a standard [20ft container](https://shippingcontainersofmanchester.co.uk/containers/20ft-storage-container) delivery, we typically use a rigid Hiab vehicle. These trucks are approximately 3 metres wide, but they need significantly more space to operate. When the vehicle extends its stabiliser legs to lift the container, the width requirement can jump to nearly 8 metres. **Overhead Hazards:** Our cranes require a clear height of around 8 metres to lift a container. You must check for: - **Overhead Cables:** Telephone and power lines are a significant hazard. Drivers cannot lift near high-voltage lines. - **Tree Branches:** Low-hanging branches can damage the hydraulic arm. - **Eaves:** Ensure the route past buildings is clear of gutters and signage. If your site in **Rochdale** or **Oldham** has tight turns or narrow lanes, let us know immediately. We can check access on Google Maps to avoid a wasted trip. ![20ft Storage Containers](https://shippingcontainersofmanchester.co.uk/images/1mage/Containers-Manchester71.jpg) ## Recommended Foundations For permanent placement in **Bolton** or **Wigan**, we recommend specific foundations that balance cost and stability: - **Concrete Blocks:** Simple and effective. Placing sturdy concrete blocks under the four corners lifts the unit, creating airflow. Ensure they are level before we arrive. - **Railway Sleepers:** A popular choice for soft ground. They act as a 'raft', spreading the weight over a larger surface area to prevent sinking. - **Concrete Slab:** The gold standard for heavy-duty workshops. It provides a clean, level working area, but is the most expensive option. - **Avoid Standard Paving Slabs:** A word of warning: do not rely on standard garden patio slabs. The point load of a 2-tonne container will crack them instantly. ## Level is Key: Avoiding "Racking" The most critical rule is that the four corners must be level. If one corner sinks lower than the others, the container twists (known as "racking"). This distorts the door frame, changing it from a rectangle to a slight parallelogram. The result? The heavy steel doors will jam. We have seen customers in **Salford** spend hours trying to force a door, only to realise the container had sunk into mud on one side. Spending an hour levelling your sleepers with a spirit level before we arrive saves years of frustration. ## Hard Standing vs. Soft Ground Our delivery trucks weigh upwards of 26 tonnes. They are designed for roads, not fields. If the ground is soft, wet, or muddy, our vehicle can get stuck. If a driver believes there is a risk of sinking, they will refuse to drive onto the grass. If you must site a container on grass (e.g., a sports club in **Stockport**), consider using trackway panels. Always prepare the landing area with hard-standing pads to prevent the container itself from sinking. ## Get Ready for Delivery Need advice on site prep? Our team is happy to guide you. Whether you are in Bury, Oldham, or Rochdale, we can help ensure your site is ready. [Contact Us](https://shippingcontainersofmanchester.co.uk/contact)Or call us: **[0330 0130 636](tel:03300130636)** #### My ground is on a slope. Can you still deliver? Yes, but you must prepare level supports beforehand. We cannot safely "block up" a container by a foot or more using loose wood on the day. The landing area for the four corners must be level. #### Can I put a container on tarmac? Yes, but in hot weather, heavy steel corner posts can sink into soft tarmac. We recommend placing a steel plate or a wooden bearer under the corners to spread the load. #### Do I need planning permission? Shipping containers are often considered temporary structures, but rules vary. We strongly advise checking with your local council in **Manchester** before ordering, especially for long-term placement. See our [planning guide](https://shippingcontainersofmanchester.co.uk/areas-served/trafford/planning-permission) for more info. #### How much space do I need for a 20ft container delivery? For a standard 20ft container, you generally need about 50-75 feet of straight-line space for the truck to back in and unload, plus 12ft of width clearance. ## Schema ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://shippingcontainersofmanchester.co.uk" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://shippingcontainersofmanchester.co.uk/blogs" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ground Preparation", "item": "https://shippingcontainersofmanchester.co.uk/blogs/ground-preparation" } ] } ``` ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://shippingcontainersofmanchester.co.uk/blogs/ground-preparation" }, "headline": "Ground Preparation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://shippingcontainersofmanchester.co.uk/images/Container-transport-mcr.jpg" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Shipping Containers of Manchester", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://shippingcontainersofmanchester.co.uk/images/mcr-logox64.png" } }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Shipping Container of Manchester", "url": "https://shippingcontainersofmanchester.co.uk/blogs/ground-preparation" }, "datePublished": "2025-12-05T15:58:56+00:00", "dateCreated": "2025-12-05T15:58:56+00:00", "dateModified": "2025-12-05T15:58:56+00:00" } ``` ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "My ground is on a slope. 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