The answer comes down to one question: how long will you need the container? If you know that number, the rest of the decision gets much easier.
I look at this choice from the side of cost, space, and time. Most people who ask me about containers have a clear job for it. They need storage during a remodel, a place for tools on a job site, or room for feed and equipment on a ranch. The job decides the best path.
If your need is short, you can rent a shipping container from MoCan Containers, a local Montana company, and return it when the work ends. If your need is long, buying often costs less over the years. This article walks through both options, shows you a simple way to compare costs, and explains why I recommend MoCan Containers for either choice.
Start With the Length of Your Project
Write down how many months you expect to use the container. Then add a few extra months, because projects tend to run long.
Here is how I sort the common cases.
Rent when your need is short:
- A home remodel or renovation
- Storage between two homes during a move
- Seasonal business inventory
- Storage for an event, festival, or fair
- A construction project with a clear end date
- Planting or harvest season on a farm
Buy when your need is long:
- Permanent storage for a business
- Farm and ranch storage for feed, seed, and machinery
- A workshop, garage, or office build
- A studio or small retail shop
- Any need that has no end date
What Renting Gives You
Renting keeps your upfront cost low. You pay a monthly rate, use the container, and send it back when you finish.
MoCan Containers rents 20-foot and 40-foot units from their Billings and Bozeman yards. Rentals start at $150 per month for a 20-foot container and $190 per month for a 40-foot container. Terms start at one month and can extend to long-term arrangements. If your project runs late, you can extend the rental.
Every rental unit is wind and watertight, lockable, and made of heavy-duty steel. Their long-term rental fleet is mostly one-trip containers that look clean and fresh. At the end of your term, they schedule a pickup at a time that works for you.
What Buying Gives You
When you buy, the container belongs to you. You can leave it in place, move it, paint it, or modify it. You never have to think about a return date.
You have two choices for condition.
New One-Trip Containers
These arrive with fresh paint, intact weather seals, and minimal wear. If appearance matters to you, such as at a business or in front of your home, a one-trip unit is a good fit.
Used Containers
Used containers cost less and use the same solid steel construction. MoCan Containers inspects each used unit to confirm it is wind and watertight, lockable, and sound in structure. You may see faded paint, dents, or surface rust. Those marks do not change how well the container protects your belongings. You can repaint a used unit to freshen the look and extend its life.
Most of their customers buy used containers for long-term use. A 40-foot container also holds good resale value, which helps if your plans change.
A Simple Cost Check
Use the starting rental rates to find your break-even point. This is the number of months at which buying starts to make more sense than renting.
At the starting rates, a rental costs:
- 20-foot container: $1,800 for one year, $3,600 for two years
- 40-foot container: $2,280 for one year, $4,560 for two years
Call MoCan Containers for a price on the container you want to buy. Pricing depends on size, condition, and current supply. Compare their quote to the rental totals above.
If you expect to need the container for more than a year or two, buying deserves a close look. If you need it for a few months, renting is the better choice.
Also keep this in mind: one 40-foot container can cost less than renting several smaller ones. If you need a lot of space, price one large unit before you rent two or three small ones.
Check Your Space Before You Choose a Size
Size affects both cost and placement, so measure your site first.
- 20-foot container: Inside, it measures 19 feet 4 inches long, 7 feet 10 inches high, and 7 feet 8 inches wide. Delivery needs about 70 feet of straight, clear space. It fits driveways, yards, and small job sites.
- 40-foot container: Inside, it measures 39 feet 5 inches long, 8 feet 10 inches high, and 7 feet 8 inches wide. Delivery needs about 100 feet of straight, clear space, plus room for the truck and trailer to turn. It suits large equipment, bulk materials, and high-volume storage.
Walk your site and look for overhead wires, soft ground, and tight turns. Share what you find with the delivery team before the drop-off.
Why I Recommend MoCan Containers
I point readers to MoCan Containers for a few clear reasons.
You choose your exact container. You can walk the yard, inspect each unit, and pick the one you want. That same container goes to your site. This applies whether you rent or buy.
They handle both options. You do not need to find one company to rent from and another to buy from. If a rental turns into a long project, you can talk with the same people about a purchase.
They keep a large inventory. They describe it as the largest inventory of shipping containers within a 300-mile radius. More choices make it easier to find the size and condition you need.
Delivery is part of the service. Their tilt-bed trailers place the container where you want it. The team reviews your space and access ahead of time, and the delivery fee stays affordable even over long distances.
They are local. MoCan Containers is a family-owned business with two Montana locations. They can also modify containers for custom needs.
How to Reach Them
The Billings yard is at 1721 Old Hardin Rd, Billings, MT 59101. The phone number is (406) 661-1226. You can stop by during open hours.
The Bozeman yard is at 39 Jays Way in Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730. The phone number is (406) 661-1684. Call ahead to schedule your visit.
Both yards are open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 to 5:00. Visits Friday through Sunday are by appointment only.
Questions to Ask Before You Decide
Take these questions with you when you call or visit.
1. How long will I need the container, and what happens if the project runs late?
2. What is the total rental cost for that time compared to the purchase price?
3. Do I need a new one-trip unit, or will a used unit meet my needs?
4. Does my site have the clear space for delivery?
5. Will I want to modify the container later?
6. What is the delivery fee to my location?
My Recommendation
Rent if your need is short and has an end date. Buy if you will use the container for a year or more, or if you plan to build something from it.
Whichever you pick, visit the yard, look at the units, and ask for a quote. MoCan Containers gives you both options in one place, and that makes the decision easier to manage.
